October 3, 2026, in Elkader, Iowa
Photo from Timberdoodle Photography, used with permission.
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.
Scroll down for basic race information, and click the button to go directly to the Wild Driftless official website with lots more information!
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, including optional ropes section
WILD DRIFTLESS LITE
5-hour time limit
- Trekking (on foot)
- Biking (gravel roads, paved roads, and grassy/double-track trails)
- Special tasks, including optional ropes section
- No paddling
2025 Wild Driftless race recap video
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Wild Driftless awarded Travel Iowa grant
The Wild Driftless Adventure Race has been awarded a grant for $9,600 from the Iowa Tourism Office, a division of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, to support the “Wild Driftless: Experience Iowa as Never Before” campaign in 2026. The competitive grant program funds tourism-related marketing initiatives, meetings and events that benefit both local economies and the state’s economy.
The grant will help promote the second annual Wild Driftless Adventure Race, which will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, in and around Elkader, Iowa. Registration and details for the 2026 race is now open at www.WildDriftless.com. In its first year, the Wild Driftless race drew more than 180 participants and more than 40 volunteers to Camp Ewalu, Backbone State Park, and the region around Strawberry Point.
“We are grateful to Iowa Economic Development and Travel Iowa for their support of the Wild Driftless. These funds will help us show off this beautiful region of the state,” said Frank Johnson, Wild Driftless race director. “This is a special place to host a world-class race that shows off some of Iowa’s best-kept secrets.”
