Mile Zero: Delta Outdoor Festival
REGISTER FOR THE WALKING, RUNNING, BIKING, BIRDING AND PADDLE EVENTS HERE
Mile Zero is a weekend celebration of the Arkansas Delta’s beautiful landscape.
Formerly known as the Delta Grind, this rebrand reflects a new chapter rooted in Helena’s identity as the "gateway to the Delta"—where trails, rivers, history, and culture converge.
Join us for a rally-style celebration blending world-class gravel and road riding with the region’s vibrant soul: live music, local food, and heritage.
Meet the Mile Zero Delta Outdoor Festival headliner, Will Coppage! 🎸
Will Coppage is a Mississippi-born singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose music blends cinematic indie storytelling with raw emotional energy. Want to skip the outdoor activities? Get music only tickets here.
“Mile Zero is more than an outdoor festival — it’s a strategic step toward positioning Helena as a hub for recreation, culture, and community vitality,” — Ammen Jordan, Director of studioDRIFT.
Our goal is to make outdoor recreation accessible to all. Through partnerships with local public schools and the Crowley’s Ridge Gravel Trail Project, we are breaking down barriers, fostering sustainable growth, and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Weekend Schedule
Friday, April 10: Shakeout & Socialize
Kick off the weekend at Delta Dirt (430 Cherry St).
3 - 5 PM - Social Spin (10 - 25 miles, mixed route) - Free.
3 - 5 PM - Running Tour of Helena (2-3 miles, murals & Civil War history) - Free.
Evening: Art show and concert at 430 Cherry St.
Bonus: Head over to the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, MS.
Saturday, April 11 - Main Event
All Saturday events staging at Kelley Courtyard (415 Cherry St).
The Low Road Marathon
7 – 8 AM: Check-in
8:15 AM: Bus Departs
9 AM: Race Start (Marianna to Helena via sandy gravel and spring fed bayous)
Road & Gravel Cycling
8 – 9:30 AM: Check-in
9:45 AM: Pre-ride Meeting
10 AM: Start (choose your own adventure - from flat and scenic paths to swooping ashpalt to super fun gravel )
Half Marathon, 5K, & Mural Mile
8 - 9:30 AM: Check-in
10:10 AM: Start (Historic landmarks and St. Francis National Forest via mixed surfaces)
Post-Race Celebrations
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM:Community Bike Celebration (Helena Fire Dept. grilling, bike giveaways, and kids' activities)
2 - 5 PM Festival
Lunch - burgers, hotdogs & BBQ
Headliner - Will Coppage - a Mississippi-born singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, whose music blends cinematic indie storytelling with raw emotional energy. Want to skip the outdoor activities? Get music only tickets here.
Raffle will take place at 3pm - Specialized Sirrus X 2.0 // MRSP $850 - get more tickets here
12 – 8 PM - Delta Dirt Distillery Birthday Party (Spring menu launch & return of Deep Roots & Sweet Roots)
6 -7:30 PM - Sunset Serenity - Kayak Tour of Hornor Neck Lake
Drift into evening glow on a peaceful kayak tour with a park interpreter. Limited space; pre-register at (870) 295-4040. ($18 Adults / $12 Children)
Sunday, April 12: Explore & Restore
8 – 12: Guided Birding Outing
Free guided excursion during peak migration.
9 AM:Casual Group Ride/Run from Delta Dirt (430 Cherry St).
12-5 PM: Pedal and Paddle Tour
Guided bike and kayak tour led by Delta Heritage Trail park interpreter. Meet at the Barton visitor center and then caravan to Old Town Lake. 8-mile bike ride followed by 1.5 hour guided kayak tour. All equipment is included in the registration fee and no kayaking experience is necessary.
Limited space; preregistration required.
Call (870) 572-2352
Adults - $26.00; Children (10-12 y.o.) - $16.00
10 AM – 3 PM: Buck Island Canoe Adventure with Quapaw Canoe Company
Exploration of the wildest freshwater wetlands. ($75, register at bikereg.com/milezero).
3 – 4 PM: Watercolor by the Water’s Edge @ Bear Creek Day Use Area
Join a park interpreter for a relaxing lakeside watercolor session. All skill levels welcome. Supplies are limited or bring your own. Capture the beauty of the water’s edge with color and creativity
Route Options
Cycling Routes
Running/Walking Routes
Bikepacking to the event?
What to Expect
Routes are Unmarked: You MUST have a GPS app or printed directions.
Zero Waste: Bring your own bottle/hydration pack. Water jugs will be available on the course.
Self-Supported: Bring your own tire repair kits and tools.
Support: Rolling SAG for DNF (Did Not Finish) only. Aid stations provided (bring cash for convenience store treats).
Can’t Make it to the Event?
Raffle Prizes
Specialized Sirrus X 2.0 // MRSP $850
winner chooses the size & color
BUY RAFFLE TICKETS HERE
Courtesy of THE RIDE in Conway
Stay & Play
Lodging
Camping: Storm Creek Lake Campground (Full-service sites & camper cabins).
Boutique: The Edwardian Inn Bed & Breakfast.
More Options:King Biscuit Blues Festival Lodging List
Top 10 Things to do in Helena
Delta Cultural Center Museum: Music heritage (9am-5pm).
Harbor View Trail: One-mile loop in Helena River Park. Link
DIY Mural Tour: Explore city-wide art on wheels or foot. Link
History Sites: African American & Confederate Cemeteries.
Big River Loop Trail: Visit Buck Island Beach. Link
Delta Dirt Distillery: Nation’s only Black-owned farm-to-bottle distillery.
Delta Heritage Trail: Log miles and spot migratory birds.
Delta Fish Market: World-famous fried catfish (10am-8pm).
History Buff Tour: Civil War and Underground Railroad landmarks. Link
DIY Paddling: Rent gear via phone at Mississippi River State Park.
Event Partners
Helena-West Helena
Ecological Design Group
The Ozark Foundation
The RIDE Conway // Thrive, Inc.
Mississippi River State Park // Delta Heritage Trail State Park