DEPART: Tuesday, June 3

Mena is our Kick-Off Host City for 2025!

Five Things to Know About Mena:

1. Mena is the gateway to adventure in the Ouachita National Forest. Mena has announced its plans for extensive downhill MTB trails, featuring lift-accessed riding with 1,300 vertical ft of descending.

2. Mena is home to Wolf Pen Gap, which hosts 41 miles of ATV trails over high mountain vistas into piney valleys, following the paths of old logging roads.

3. The Mena train depot is a historic railroad station built in 1920 and is one of the most elaborate surviving early-20th-century railroad stations in the state.

4. Located atop Rich Mountain sits Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Positioned along the Talimena National Scenic Byway, it offers some of the most breathtaking views in the state from the fully renovated lodge.

5. Autumn’s colors bring the Ouachitas to life, and thousands make the journey here each year to witness the beauty in Mena.

ARRIVE: Tuesday, June 3

DEPART: Wednesday, June 4

Five Things to Know About Glenwood:

1. Glenwood sits along the pristine Caddo River, a tributary of the Ouachita. Each year, the Caddo draws thousands of canoers, kaykers, anglers, and families looking to explore the great outdoors in a peaceful mountain setting.

2. Glenwood Golf Course & Country Club is part of the Natural State Golf Trail. The Glenwood Golf Course showcases a secluded, beautiful 18-hole golf course and is ranked one of the top in Arkansas. It's well worth the drive to find.

3. Glenwood began as a railroad town. Founded in the early 1900's, Glenwood has a rich history in timber and logging industries.

4. The annual Caddo River Festival takes place every summer on Labor Day weekend in the heart of downtown Glenwood. This festival incorporates a parade, local talent show, vendors, food trucks, an antique car show, and more.

5. Revitalization of Glenwood’s downtown historic district is underway, with a new mercantile and restaurant opening in the next few months. You’ll see some beautiful murals along E Broadway.

ARRIVE: Wednesday, June 4

DEPART: Friday, June 6

Five Things to Know About Hot Springs:

1. Hot Springs National Park is the oldest federally protected land in the United States and the source of the world's best water for drinking and bathing.

2. Hot Springs is an International Mountain Bike Association Ride Center and hub for the Northwoods Trails, Iron Mountain Trails, and three IMBA Epics: The Womble, LOViT, and The Ouachita Trail

3. Oaklawn Racing is the oldest family-owned race track in America. The Oaklawn grounds also include a casino, hotel, spa, and multiple restaurants.

4. Hot Springs is home to hundreds of restaurants and bars, serving up everything from pizza, tacos, burgers, Asian, Bavarian, fine dining and more!

5. Hot Springs hosts city-wide block parties with live music, food, and vendors. 2025 Gravelers can attend the Bridge Street LIVE Entertainment District on Thursday, June 5th!

ARRIVE: Friday, June 6

DEPART: Saturday, June 7

Five Things to Know About Morrilton:

1. Morrilton is the gateway city to Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas’ oldest and most popular state park.

2. There is only one city named “Morrilton” in the entire world, and the name was selected based upon a flip of a coin; there was a 50/50 chance it would have been named Moose Town!

3. Winthrop Rockefeller, the former governor of Arkansas, made Morrilton his adopted hometown when he moved to Arkansas from New York City in the early 1950's. He established Winrock Farms atop Petit Jean Mountain, which now houses the Winthrop Rockefeller Instititute.

4. “Wolverton Mountain,” the namesake of Claude King’s 1962 #1 hit on the Billboard Country Chart, is located just north of Morrilton.

5. Morrilton’s historic downtown is a treasure-trove of unique, beautiful buildings. These include the Rialto Theater, a historic railroad depot, the Conway County Courthouse, the old Coca Cola bottling plant, a working Carnegie Library, and the five-story “Morrilton Skyscraper.”

ARRIVE: Saturday, June 7

Heber Springs is our Finale Host City for 2025!

Five Things to Know About Heber Springs:

1. Sandy Beach occupies the west side of Downtown Heber Springs. It is the longest beach front on Greer’s Ferry Lake, which is an Arkansas treasure and one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. The city of Heber Springs hosts their annual 4th of July Celebration along the shores of Sandy Beach.

2. The Little Red River, emerging crystal clear and icy cold from beneath massive dam at Greers Ferry Lake is a premier-class trout stream. Trout were introduced to the Little Red in 1966 after the completion of the lake project.

3. Bridal Veil Falls features a look-out over a cascading, 50-foot waterfall. Hiking trails to the falls are open year-round and are accessible to most skill levels. Visitors flock to the falls for great photo opportunities.

4. The Sulphur Creek Trail offers a pleasant, tree-lined route in Heber Springs, just a few blocks south of Main Street. The trail includes a crossing over Sulphur Creek and about half of the route follows the former Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad right-of-way.

5. Located in the middle of Greers Ferry Lake, Sugar Loaf Mountain Island stands 1000 feet tall, offering panoramic views to its visitors. The Greers Ferry Dam was built to control flooding, generate hydroelectric power, and provide recreational opportunities. After completion of the dam, the lake was dedicated by John F. Kennedy. The trip was his last major public appearance before his fateful trip to Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, where he was assassinated.