Welcome to Iowa's Driftless Region!

Soaring limestone bluffs, crystal-clear trout streams and fast-moving rivers, old-growth forests, challenging mountain biking, and some of the most scenic gravel roads you’ll find anywhere in the world. This isn’t just the Iowa cornfields you expect—this is the driftless region!

The Wild Driftless Adventure Race will take you into some of the most scenic areas of NE Iowa, featuring trekking, biking, and paddling for teams of 2-4 or soloists. The course is designed for all ability levels with an eye toward serving as a fantastic entry-level event for first-timers AND challenging the most seasoned adventure racers.

2 OPTIONS FOR TEAMS & SOLOISTS

WILD DRIFTLESS

9-hour time limit

Trekking (on foot)
Biking (gravel roads, paved roads, and trails, including single-track mountain biking)
Paddling (canoes in flat-water and gentle rivers/streams)
Special tasks

Approximate distances:

Bike: 20-34 miles (32-55 km)

Trek: 5-13 miles (8-22 km)

Paddle: 2-8 miles (3-13 km)

WILD DRIFTLESS LITE

4-5 hour time limit

Trekking (on foot)
Biking (gravel roads, paved roads, and grassy/double-track trails)
Special tasks
No paddling

Approximate distances:

Bike: 10-15 miles (16-25 km)

Trek: 2-6 miles (3-10 km)

Costs are per participant.

For 2026, our participant limit is 350. Register early so you don't miss out!

Wild Driftless (9-hour)

$115 by July 31

$130 by August 31

$140 by September 26

Wild Driftless Lite (4-hour)

$80 by July 31

$95 by August 31

$105 by September 26

*USARA membership required (single race for $8 or yearly for $35), available at link.

Included in your registration cost is a high-quality race experience, a fantastic post-race meal, prizes, swag, specialized gear rentals, snacks and drinks.