BIRDEYE, Ark. – StudioDRIFT is bringing back its popular fall gravel biking and running event, the Birdeye Gravel Festival, on November 7–8, 2025. Now in its fourth year, the festival offers a challenging and scenic journey through the heart of Crowley’s Ridge and the Arkansas Delta. This year’s Presenting Sponsors are Ecological Design Group and the Ozark Foundation.
The event combines gravel cycling and trail running with a vibrant house party at a family farm on the eastern slope of Crowley’s Ridge. Routes showcase the region’s rugged natural beauty, deep cultural history, and unique terrain—rolling and twisting hills rising dramatically above the surrounding Delta farmland.
“Birdeye Gravel is more than just a biking and running event; it’s a celebration of community, landscape, and the joy of a good challenge,” said event organizer Ammen Jordan. “We’re thrilled to bring back this experience, offering both runners and gravel cyclists a chance to connect with this unique corner of the world. The afterparty is our way of celebrating everyone’s accomplishment and fostering the warm, welcoming spirit that defines the Arkansas Delta.”
Key Events
- Running: A 17-mile point-to-point run, a 5K trail run, and a 1-mile fun run.
- Gravel Biking: Routes designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders.
- House Party: A legendary celebration featuring a farm-to-table dinner, locally crafted drinks, and live music.
This year’s music lineup includes Andy Ratliff, Lazy Daisy, and Curtis B. Scott & Deion James.
“Traversing a landscape created from windblown glacial dust and ancient river channels during the time of the wooly mammoth and the dire wolf, Crowley’s Ridge is a lush, rolling landscape that contrasts sharply with the surrounding farmlands of the Arkansas Delta,” Jordan said. “It’s THE perfect place for a biking and running event.”
Kara Smith, a founding board member of studioDRIFT, added: “The thing that separates this experience from any other race is the intimacy. Not simply with the community, but with the land. Birdeye Gravel is truly about immersing yourself in the Delta. It’s about leaving the rest of the world behind and coming home to what feels like a time before the constant distractions of your everyday life. It is a one-of-a-kind experience that showcases the character of the Delta. Oh, and there’s a pig named Willow that loves attention.”
Getting Here
Birdeye is conveniently located about one hour from Memphis, which offers the nearest major airport and Amtrak station.
Supporting the Arkansas Delta
The Birdeye Gravel Festival, along with all studioDRIFT events, serves as a fundraiser to support the Arkansas Delta, a region facing persistent poverty and health challenges. All proceeds directly benefit the Crowley’s Ridge Gravel Trail (CRGT), a 250-mile scenic route that highlights the region’s distinctive landscape and culture.
CRGT is a vital community asset, offering a destination for cyclists, runners, and outdoor enthusiasts. In line with this mission, studioDRIFT also offers free event scholarships to marginalized and underprivileged individuals who want to participate, ensuring broader access to this unique experience.
For a complete schedule of events and festival details, visit studiodriftar.org/events.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
