Gravel cycling has taken off over the last decade and still seems to be running strong. What started as a grassroots events that ended at the local pub has grown into one of the most popular forms of bicycle racing in the U.S. Pro careers have launched, full series have formed, lives have changed, and tech innovation has exploded.
Picking the “best” gravel races of 2026 isn’t easy. Are we talking biggest? Hardest? Most competitive? Most fun? Best post race meal? Below is our list of events that are highly rated and come recommended.
The Mid South
The Mid South might not technically be the first race of the season anymore, but it’s still the party starter. Mid South is a Lifetime event and the first of the series. Not owned by Life Time, it is included as a featured race. For one week a year, Stillwater, Oklahoma, transforms into a full-on gravel celebration with riding, running, and live music. It blends elite racers with everyday riders in a way few events can. Unbound may be bigger, but many riders will tell you Mid South is their favorite—and it’s easy to see why. Rumor has it you might want to be prepared for mud.
The Mid South: March 12–15, 2026 • midsouthgravel.com
Barry Roubaix Gravel Race
Barry Roubaix is massive—and somehow still flies under the radar nationally. Taking place in Michigan, a state packed with a lot of dirt and gravel roads, it’s one of the oldest dirt road races around. The rolling forest roads create a classic early-season challenge, especially for riders emerging from a long northern winter. It’s a cornerstone event for one of the country’s strongest local cycling communities.
Barry Roubaix: April 18, 2026 (sold out) • barryroubaix.com
Belgian Waffle Ride California
The original Belgian Waffle Ride proudly calls itself an “un-road” race. Based near Encinitas, California, it blends pavement and dirt into a spring-classics-inspired sufferfest. Gravel wasn’t originally the focus—but it turned out to be a happy accident.
For 2026, Belgian Waffle Ride California will celebrate its 15th annual edition this spring with a newly designed anniversary route inspired by one of the region’s most rare and ecologically significant landscapes: Boden Canyon Ecological Reserve, an approximately 1,200-acre protected canyon system located between Escondido and Ramona. Also offered will be the same chaotic fun that’s defined the race for 15 years. It remains one of the best entry points for riders curious about gravel without diving too far into the deep end.
Belgian Waffle Ride California: May 3, 2026 • belgianwaffleride.bike
Rule of Three
Rule of Three doesn’t chase hype—and that’s part of its appeal.
Held in Bentonville, Arkansas, it combines gravel, trail, and tarmac into either a 100 km or 100-mile test. The field is intentionally small. The promotion is minimal. But the course is one of the best in the country.
The post-race atmosphere is gritty, welcoming, and uniquely Arkansas. It’s quietly become one of the most respected events on the calendar.
Rule of Three: May 12–17, 2026 • www.ruleofthree.bike
Unbound Gravel
Unbound Gravel remains the biggest gravel race in the world—and it’s not slowing down.
With major prize money, a huge expo, and the largest field in the country, its influence is unmatched. Yet despite its size, it still serves pros, amateurs, and first-timers alike. It’s demanding, iconic, and still the benchmark event in American gravel.
Unbound Gravel: May 28–31, 2026 • unboundgravel.com
SBT GRVL
After a few years of land access challenges and format changes, SBT GRVL appears to have found its rhythm again.
Now held in late June in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the event separates pro and amateur races and continues to sell out. With fewer calendar conflicts in 2026, it’s well positioned to reclaim its spot as a premier summer gravel event.
Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder
Few races are as ambitious as the Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder.
This five-day, point-to-point stage race through the Cascade Mountains is part endurance test, part adventure camp. Riders tackle constantly changing terrain while the event crew moves an all-inclusive campsite from stop to stop.
With organizers planning a limited 10-year run, the clock is ticking. If it’s been on your list, now’s the time.
Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder: July 8–12, 2026 •
Rebecca’s Private Idaho
Rebecca’s Private Idaho blends big adventure, amazing views with big heart. Held in Sun Valley, Idaho, the event combines stunning mountain scenery with a mix of gravel, pavement, and high-altitude challenge. Founded by Olympic champion Rebecca Rusch, it carries a strong community and advocacy focus, welcoming everyone from first-timers to elite racers. The courses are tough but inspiring, and the overall vibe leans more celebration than intimidation. It’s the kind of event where the backdrop is breathtaking and the experience feels bigger than just the miles.
Rebecca’s Private Idaho: September 9–12, 2026 • rebeccasprivateidaho.com
Gravel Worlds
Gravel Worlds in Lincoln, Nebraska, is old-school in the best way.
The course is brutally honest, featuring serious climbing, classic Midwestern gravel, and unpredictable weather. It may not be flashy, but it delivers a true test year after year. What began with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor has become a legitimate proving ground.
The Farmer’s Daughter (New York)
The Farmer’s Daughter has quietly become one of the Northeast’s most respected gravel events.
Held in the Catskills of New York, it delivers punchy climbs, rugged dirt roads, and the kind of early-season grit that makes you earn every mile. It’s tough without being pretentious, competitive without losing its grassroots charm. For East Coast riders, it’s a must.
The Farmer’s Daughter (New York): •
Moran 166 (Moran, Michigan)
If you want remote and relentless, Moran 166 delivers.
Based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, this race leans into isolation, long stretches of rugged terrain, and a true backcountry feel. It’s not about massive expos or huge crowds—it’s about resilience. For riders who like their gravel raw and a little wild, Moran 166 hits different.
Moran 166 (Michigan): • www.moran166.com
Rasputitsa (Vermont)
Rasputitsa is legendary for one thing: mud.
Held in Vermont during the unpredictable early spring, the race embraces whatever conditions show up. Snow, slush, peanut-butter mud—it’s all fair game. The name itself hints at messy roads, and riders know what they’re signing up for. It’s part race, part survival story, and entirely unique.
Homegrown Gravel (Georgia/Alabama)
Homegrown Gravel represents the spirit of Southern gravel.
Split between Georgia and Alabama terrain, it highlights red clay roads, rolling hills, and tight-knit community energy. It’s less about spectacle and more about hospitality, hard riding, and strong local support. Events like Homegrown prove that gravel’s strength still lies in its regional roots.
Whether you’re chasing podiums or just chasing an experience, these races represent a few of the best American gravel events in 2026.