Get ready to unleash your inner adventurer in the breathtaking backcountry of Colorado, where Fruita is calling your name! This rugged desert playground is the ultimate hub for thrill-seekers, boasting a smorgasbord of adventure sports that'll make your heart race!
Whether you're crushing trails on foot, paddling through whitewater, shredding the mountain on your bike, scaling cliffs, or exploring stunning canyons, Fruita has got your back! The Adventure Fest weekend is a total blast, featuring a trail half marathon, a gnarly long or short course mountain bike race, and a 50K gravel challenge on the legendary 18 Road trails.
Plus, ladies, don’t miss out on the free women's gravel bike clinic and group ride—it's the perfect chance to meet fellow adventurers! So gear up for an unforgettable weekend where competition meets community, and let’s celebrate the great outdoors together!
At Gemini Adventures we believe in a simple notion that makes all the difference: Competition makes us faster, and collaboration makes us better.
Fruita Trail Half Marathon
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on this exciting half marathon course in Fruita, CO! This 13.8-mile loop takes runners on beautiful, flowy singletrack through Colorado’s stunning early-season desert. With short, steep climbs and descents, the course offers breathtaking views of the nearby buttes and mesas, making every step as scenic as it is rewarding.
As part of the Adventure Fest weekend, this race is more than just a challenge—it’s an opportunity to experience Fruita’s vibrant adventure community and connect with like-minded runners. Whether you’re chasing a PR or simply soaking in the desert vibes, this trail half marathon promises a fun and memorable way to kick off your racing season!
Fruita 50K Bike Races: Sarlacc Attack MTB and Dirty Edge Gravel
Push your limits and ride the edge—literally—on two of Colorado’s most thrilling 50K bike races! Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the North Fruita Desert, these world-class courses combine The Edge and Sarlacc Trails, along with other iconic routes, to create an unforgettable mountain biking experience.
From stunning cliffs to rugged back canyons and sweeping desert vistas, every turn delivers adventure and challenge. Choose your race:
- Sarlacc Attack Long Course (50K, 3,400’ climb)
- Sarlacc Attack Short Course
- Dirty Edge Gravel Race (50K, 2,700’ climb)
These inspiring and sporty courses are perfect for testing your early-season stamina and are quickly becoming classics in Fruita, CO. Whether you’re taking on technical climbs, ripping flowy descents, or simply soaking in the desert views, these races are a must-ride for any mountain biking enthusiast.
Discover what Fruita has to offer on these rugged and iconic trails—where adventure meets stunning beauty!
Canyoneering with Glenwood Climbing Guides
Add on a desert canyoneering adventure in Colorado National Monument to complete your weekend! Hike, scramble, chimney and climb your way to the top of an impressive sandstone formation and then squeeze through the hole at the top – that’s the Lemon Squeezer! Traverse across slickrock in a fantastic desert environment high above the canyon floor and the Grand Valley below and descend the Lemon Drop, a water carved canyon, via as many as six rappels up to 100 feet in height. If you’ve never climbed and rappelled before we’ll set up a good progression to help you build your skills and confidence.
Explore Our Events
Adventure Fest is a weekend-long celebration of outdoor adventure for individuals and families of all experience levels. In a sport where much of the time is spent solo, this is an opportunity to come together, share experiences, and connect with the adventure community.
Held at the North Fruita Desert Trailhead in Fruita, CO, the festival offers camping, exciting races, clinics, and activities for all ages.
Weekend Highlights
Friday Night: Packet pick-up at the Fruita Rec Center, plus Adventure Fest merchandise, sponsor booths, and community connections.
Saturday:
- Sarlacc Attack 50K & Sarlacc Zippity 22K mountain bike races—flowy singletrack, epic climbs, and breathtaking desert views.
- Guided canyoneering trip (ages 8+), featuring rappelling and slot canyon exploration with Glenwood Climbing Guides.
- Women’s gravel clinic with a professional rider, followed by the Dirty Edge shakeout ride open to all.
- Kids' races: A Balance Bike Race for ages 4 & under and a Beginner Kids’ MTB Race for ages 4-8.
- Bonfire Awards & Beer at the campground, followed by the Glowstick Parade, an easy-flow night ride perfect for all ages.
Sunday:
- Fruita Trail Half Marathon and Dirty Edge Gravel 50K, two of the region’s most scenic and rewarding endurance races.
- Pack up, say goodbye, and leave with unforgettable memories!
Whether you're racing, riding, learning a new skill, or just soaking in the adventure vibe, Adventure Fest is the ultimate weekend escape in Fruita’s legendary outdoor playground.
Campsites are reserved for our event and are available to reserve when you register online. Each site has a fire ring, concrete picnic table, 12’ x 12’ tent pad and graveled parking spaces. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites.
There is no water, electricity, or garbage collection service, so come prepared with plenty of water and trash bags. Additionally, campers will need to bring their own firewood. Each individual site is limited to ten people and two vehicles.
View camp assignments. If you’d like to switch to a different available campsite, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can check out the campsite map and locations.
Take Interstate 70 west to Fruita (exit 19). Turn north onto Cherry Street and take the first right onto Aspen Avenue. Go through the roundabout and continue on Aspen to Maple Street. Take a left on Maple Street and then travel north. The street will turn into 17.5 Road. Take a right on N.3 Road and then a left on 18 Road. Travel approximately 7 miles on 18 Road to the trailhead and look for signs/markers for our Colorado half marathon race.
Add on a desert canyoneering adventure in Colorado National Monument to complete your weekend! Hike, scramble, chimney and climb your way to the top of an impressive sandstone formation and then squeeze through the hole at the top – that’s the Lemon Squeezer! Traverse across slickrock in a fantastic desert environment high above the canyon floor and the Grand Valley below and descend the Lemon Drop, a water carved canyon, via as many as six rappels up to 100 feet in height. If you’ve never climbed and rappelled before we’ll set up a good progression to help you build your skills and confidence.
Age: 8+
Experience: Beginner to Experienced
Cost: $150
