Tejas Dirt Festival
Races: Trail Runs (5 Mi, 25km, 50km); Ruck (5 Mi, 25km); Cross Country Mountain Bike (Cat 1 & 2=~18 Mi, Cat 3 =~9 Mi, Junior 11-14 yr olds =~5 Mi, Junior 10 & Under =~3 Mi); MTB & Trail Run Biathlon; Other Crazy Races & Contests (such as: King & Queen of the Hill Trail Run, Texas Slowest Mountain Bike Race, Zipline Target Drop, the List goes on).
When: August 29-Sep 1, 2025
Where: Camp Eagle, 6424 Hackberry Rd, Rocksprings, TX 78880
Closest smaller cities: Kerrville, Fredericksburg
Closest bigger cities: San Antonio, Austin
Previously known as the J&J, this trail racing event of the year is now on Labor Day weekend; and is our pinnacle of off road racing fun. Held at the adventure capital of Texas, Camp Eagle, which is only a couple hours from San Antonio, a few hours from Austin, and well worth a longer drive or flight from anywhere. This event is where a huge chunk of Tejas Trails history took place and is very special to all of us who have raced here. Now we are taking it to a whole new level. This 3 day festival will include trail running races, rucking races, mountain bike races, trail run and mountain bike biathlon, zipline target contests, King and Queen of the Hill, Texas Slowest Mountain Bike Race, and a handful of other extra fun contests in the water and the sky. Which will result in this being one of the biggest trail sports bashes of the year. The trail runs will still be called the J&J Trail Runs, in honor of all the founders of Tejas Trails did for trail running in Texas (Joe and Joyce)!
Runners and Riders will be enjoying the amazing technical trails and beautiful vistas. Friends and family will be able to enjoy waiting for their racer while relaxing in the amenities, coffee shop, private lodging, and dining hall; playing in the spring-fed river, kayaking and splashing in the water park; and enjoying the adventure activities around the 1400 acres of fun. To top it all off, Camp Eagle is offering a half day, one day, or two day Adventure Camp for next to nothing if parents and guardians want to race while their kids are having the time of their lives!
Meanwhile, when people are crossing the finish line, we will have an ongoing party of elite trail runners and riders, rookie trail sports enthusiasts, seasoned racers, hikers, joggers, and everyone’s crews, friends, families, and new friends hanging out at one of the coolest adventure destination venues in the nation.
Check out Camp Eagle to see some of the cool stuff you can do around your race. Enjoy the beautiful springfed Nueces waterfront location, and a ton of free adventure activities: kayaking, water park, fishing, basketball, volleyball, hiking, or even climbing (bring your own gear). There are also some additional high adventure activities available for a small fee, such as the 9th longest zipline in the world, free fall superswing, rappelling, and a ton more!
Plan on staying the entire long weekend for this event. It's truly one you don't want to miss!
Dogs: you’ll have to leave your doggies at home. Camp Eagle has a strict no dogs policy.
So many races: See further below for a complete list of all races to choose from.
Race Day Results & Timing & Scoring
Start Options
We will have a mass start per distance for the trail run and ruck races. Sometimes we start more than one distance together, so pay attention to the Schedule for this event. We also leave the start line open for a little while longer for those who want to avoid the mass start, enjoy a more casual entry onto the course, and don’t care about overall awards.
The Mountain Bike Races will go off in small waves to ensure everyone gets a safe start.
Biathlon racers will be started a few at a time on a closed course, short loop.
Results and Live Split Updates
Click this button on race day to see updated results each time a runner passes a timing mat on the course and the final results. Timing mats are always at the start/finish/next lap line, and sometimes an additional mat is placed out on the course.
Timing and Scoring
The results page will show two times for each runner. “Gun Time” and “Chip Time”. Here’s what that means for you:
“Gun Time” is the time from the mass start (when the starter officially starts your distance) until when you cross the finish line. This is everyone’s “official time”, no matter when you enter the race course; and is the time that is used for all rankings and awards.
“Chip Time” is the time from when you actually cross the start line until the time you cross the finish line. This is not used for official times or award rankings. But if you begin after the Mass Start you can see this time in the results to know the time you actually covered the course in.
Camp Eagle Lodging, Waiver, & Activities
Click the button below to get the mandatory waiver done, sign up for lodging, activities, and meals. You'll need to create an account/login and then sign waivers for you and your family. Camp Eagle has a $10 Land Access Fee for everyone over the age of 3, which you'll see on your CE invoice. Multiple types of lodging is available, first come first serve. Hostel beds are available in the "SSV” section of lodging. There is also an “Extras” section where you can purchase meals and activities in advance.
This link is also where you’ll register your child(ren) for the RaceDay Adventure Camp. This is available for Saturday and Sunday (half day either day, full day either day, or both days).
The more you do online (especially the waiver!) the faster your front-gate check-in will be for the weekend.
Please email Retreats@campeagle.org with any questions regarding lodging or the add-ons they provide, and they'll get back to you soon!"
Race Schedule
EVERYTHING HAPPENS AT THE RACE SITE
TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
Course Marking and Race Hub Setup: Sun up to sun down pretty much (click that Volunteer link at the top of the webpage to let us know you want to help).
THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
Pre Riding: We aim to be fully marked by Thursday morning, barring nothing crazy happens with weather or otherwise. Pre-riding will be available any and all parts of these two days no matter what though.
FRIDAY
5:30pm-6:30pm = Packet Pickup
6:30pm = Q&A Race Briefing for all races
All evening = Complimentary family-friendly drinks, beers, and s’mores in the Nueces Firepit
Dark (Exact time TBD and Announced with dinner) = Zipline Target Challenge
SATURDAY
Packet Pickup (in the Pavilion):
6:00am-8:00am = for all Races
10:00am-10:15am = for the Youth 1 Mile
2:30-3:00pm = Mountain Bike Biathlon
6:30-7:00pm = Texas Slowest Mountain Bike Race
Race Details:
7:00am = 50km, 25km, 25km Ruck Start
8:00am = 5 Mile, 5 Mile Ruck Start
8:15am = Start Line Closes
10:30am = Youth 1 Mile
2:30pm = Mountain Bike Biathlon Pre-Race Mandatory Check-In, Briefing and Staging
3:00pm = Mountain Bike Biathlon Start
5:00pm = Trail Run and Ruck Final Cutoff
7:00pm = Texas Slowest Mountain Bike Race
Cutoffs: See Aid Station Chart below, for most updated rolling cutoffs per aid station around the course.
SUNDAY
Packet Pickup (in the Pavilion):
6:00am-8:00am = for all Races
2:30-3:00pm = Trail run Biathlon
6:00-6:30pm = King & Queen of the Hill Trail Run
Race Details:
See below for our current plan. These times may shift one way or the other depending on registrations per category. We ask all mountain bike racers show to the start area and pay attention to the announcements being made to get you into the corral at the correct time. We will have a long open runway to get everyone onto the course before it narrows down into single track.
7:00am = Pro / Cat 1 Men (2 Laps of Full 9 mile course)
7:05am = Pro / Cat 1 Women (2 Laps of Full 9 mile course)
7:15am = Cat 2 Men 39 and Under (2 Laps of 9 mile course)
7:20am = Cat 2 Men 40 and Over (2 Laps of 9 mile course)
7:25am = Cat 2 All Women (2 Laps of 9 mile course)
9:00am = Cat 3 Men 39 and Under (1 Lap of 9 mile course)
9:10am = Cat 3 Men 40 and Over (1 Lap of 9 mile course)
9:20am = Cat 3 All Women (1 Lap of 9 mile course)
11:00am = Junior 13-14 (1 Lap of 5 mile course)
11:10am = Junior 11-12 (1 Lap of 3 mile course)
11:20am = Junior 10 & Under (1 Lap of 3 mile course)
2:30pm = Trail Run Biathlon Pre-Race Mandatory Check-In, Briefing and Staging
3:00pm = Trail Run Biathlon Start
6:30pm = King and Queen of the Hill Trail Run
Teardown:
Sunday all afternoon to late night, and Monday morning as well (yes, we always need help)!
Extra Fun Events
TRAIL RUN & MOUNTAIN BIKE BIATHLON
We will be shooting shotguns at still targets. So if you aren’t a sharpshooter, even if you have never shot a gun before, we encourage you to have fun and try this out. The format is simple. We will send 12 participants at a time. You will start off getting assigned a specific shooting bay. At the start of the race, you will do one lap ending in your assigned bay. From there, you will get a few rounds to try to hit the still target. After firing your maximum rounds (or hitting the target) you will take off for Lap 2. Repeat that process 3 times total. For every target you hit, time will be deducted from your overall time.
After the cutoff or the final participant has finished in that wave, we will get the next 12 participants into the safety talk and then onto the starting line.
The Trail Run Biathlon will do ~1/2 mile laps. The Mountain Bike Biathlon will do ~1 mile laps.
Winners get goodies!
TEXAS SLOWEST MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE
Once the gun goes off, participants will progress forward on the very short lap. You must be moving forward (track standing is not permitted). If you dab (your foot touches the ground) you are eliminated. Last one to cross the finish line wins. Winners get goodies!
KING & QUEEN OF THE HILL TRAIL RUN
This has become a fun tradition at this event. Bring an extra pair of shoes. Runners will take off down through the Lumberjack campsite, down Duck Trail, across the river, up the big hill, hit the top, turn around and come right back down the way you went out. This is not a long course (between 1.5 miles to 2 miles total). But it is not easy! To reward your grit, the male winner and female winner will take home a cash purse. Every registrant will put in $20 to get in. Tejas Trails will double the pot. First female takes the female cash purse. Same for the first male. Everyone will enjoy watching the show from the balcony deck!
ZIPLINE TARGET DROP
The Zipline 850 will be open in the dark. Once harnessed up, participants will get glow in the dark objects to zipline with. On your way down, drop them in the targets. Each smaller target is worth more points. Most points wins! Winner gets goodies!
Ruck Division
If you haven’t experienced a ruck challenge or competition, they are wonderfully simplistic and can take place in a variety of looks and feels. We are not going to have challenges along the way. Just straight hiking/jogging on a trail with a ruck (pack), from the start line to the finish line. So, all you need to join in on the Ruck division is a ruck (pack) with some weight in it, and the ability to cover some rugged Texas Hill Country trail miles.
Top finishers will be rewarded nicely (same divisions as our regular trail runs). All finishers will receive a patch and finisher medal.
We are now offering a ‘long course’ and ‘less long course’ at each event we offer the Ruck Division!
FURTHER DETAILS:
If you weigh under 150lbs, we will require a 20lb weight.
If you weigh over 150lbs, we will require a 30lb weight.
Mandatory ruck weigh in will take place prior to the start when you pick up your timing chip, and at the finish line.
Weight cannot be anything consumable or wearable like food or water or clothing. But pretty much anything else goes.
The mandatory amount of weight cannot be on the shoulders or chest. It must be on your back.
No sling bags or duffel bags or anything like that.
Any type of backpack (ruck) is acceptable otherwise.
No trekking poles allowed.
You can carry additional gear and supplies like food, water and clothing (and you should), but that will be additional weight.
Course Information
TRAIL RUN RACE DISTANCES: 50K, 25K, 5 MI, Youth 1 MI
RUCK RACE DISTANCES: 25K, 5 MI
MOUNTAIN BIKE DISTANCES: Cat 1 & 2 = 18 Miles, Cat 3 = 9 miles, Junior 11-14 = 5 miles, Junior 10 & Under = 3 miles
ROUTE DETAILS:
This course generally goes either up or down. Not a lot of flat. The climbs result in absolutely beautiful vistas. There is a lot of rock and a good bit of scree, which makes things even more exciting! There are gorgeous riverside trails, that later move up into the hills. This course is far from boring on all fronts! You are in for a treat.
The Trail Run and Ruck races will consist of a big loop of 15.5 miles. Two of these 15.5 mile loops will get the 50K done, one for the 25K. Then we will have a shortcut marked for the 5 milers to get home.
The Cross Country Mountain Bike races will do a 9 mile lap, which will get near the edge of main camp around the midway point. The Cat 1 and 2 racers will do 2 laps, passing next to the Pavilion between laps. The youth racers will avoid the steep, gnarliest sections, but will still be on rocky trails. Please keep this in mind when signing up. Parents are permitted to go along with their youth riders for the younger 10 & Under racers, but not for anyone 11 or older.
This is an old elevation profile but is meant to show you the lay of the land, not the exact course profile this year.
Course Markings
We go above and beyond on our course markings, and have become known around the world for it. We will have orange Tejas Trails caution tape blocking off any open intersections; yellow arrows stapled to stakes, signposts, fences, and trees; and hundreds of confidence markers between. You never have to navigate or use a map.
Course markings are not color-coded per distance. When you get to an intersection where a shorter distance breaks off from the longer main loop, there will be signs with distances on them pointing the appropriate ways. Simply follow the signs with your distance on them. If you don’t see your distance, you just missed your turn. Don’t ever cross caution tape. It usually is required that we keep the caution tape on the ground, but it’s always obvious, and will act as a guardrail for you at open intersections.
Also for any of our races that take place in dark hours, all our markings have high grade reflectors in them, so the course actually becomes even easier to follow in the dark!
Now of course, you can get off course… So if you’re new to trail running, you have to train your brain to keep looking up; and especially don’t trust the person in front of you. We have a special “Lemming Award” for those who blindly follow someone else off course and then get mad at us.
Aid Stations & Feed Zones
We will have full on aid station support at the Pavilion (Start/Finish/Next Lap area), with fluids, ice, sodas, Tailwind, Saltstick, fruit, sweet snacks, salty foods, and a plethora of options. There will also be aid stations out on course with a combination of water, ice, Tailwind, Saltstick, other drinks, and ‘grab n go snacks’.
For the Trail Run, you can expect an aid station every 4-6 miles. You’ll need to be ready to carry your hydration needs for that many miles at a time.
For the Mountain Bike Races, you can expect a feed zone approximately midway through the 9 mile lap. So, you’ll need enough water for around 4-5 miles at a time. This feed zone will be easy to get for your crew and spectators. The junior races will not have a feed zone, so be prepared to carry everything you need for your entire race.
For all races, it will be easy to put your own supplies at the Pavilion, where you can get to it between laps for longer distances, and at the start and finish.
Drop Bags
We will not provide Drop Bag service. With this layout, you will only need a drop bag at the Pavilion. You will never be out on course more than 15.5 miles at a time. You are welcome to drop your own drop bag at the different aid stations. But you have to get them after your race.
You may place your Pavilion drop bag anywhere along the big wall inside the Pavilion, or anywhere around the outside of the Pavilion that you like best (as long as it’s not touching a race course chute).
Volunteering
We fully recognize we could not (and would not want to) put on any of these events without your help. Volunteers breathe life into these events. You make them personal for people. We no doubt need you and love this component to our business. So, know that we will always do everything we can afford to do to help you enjoy your time out there in the trenches helping those runners achieve their goals and dreams.
As a volunteer, you get:
Park entry fees and Camping fees paid for (if your role requires you to sleep at the park)
Food brought to you while you are volunteering
Shirt, hat, race swag, etc.
Loads of good memories
All the gear you need to successfully accomplish your task
Volunteer hours exchanged for future race entries
We can always use help, specifically for: course marking, packet pickup, aid stations, course sweeping, teardown, and more!
Swag & Stuff
Your race entry comes with a bunch of good stuff! You’ll get the comfort of our world-renowned course markings so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. You’ll get our notorious staff and volunteer support (and probably leave with new friends you met at an aid station or the finish line)! We will offer a plethora of aid station food and drink options, as well as finish line drinks. There will be a relaxing race hub area with backyard games and toys for kids to play with for your spectators, friends, and family. We also typically have a food truck at the finish line serving a variety of good food and drink options, including an accommodating menu of most food allergies and vegan options.
You can also expect awesome gear you’ll actually want to wear, and a truly unique medal that you’ll be proud to have. Those who sign up before the shirt cutoff (when we actually have to put the shirt order in) will receive a nice shirt. Sometimes long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless, tank top, or something else we find that’s cool and different from the year before. Those who register after that date will receive a cool non-size specific item, such as a hat, beanie, arm warmers, scarf, drink ware, or something else we find.
If you don’t like the swag item you received, you may swap your item after the final Packet Pickup is over (when we have ensured everyone got the item they signed up for). You can also purchase the other item(s) if you like all of them. This will all happen from the Tejas Trails merchandise tent when it’s onsite, and otherwise will be made available at the Packet Pickup Tent or the Finish Line Tent.
Please note, we don’t always get the shirt color we had planned these days, as things are goofy with shipping and fulfilling. If the shirt color changes, sometimes we have to change the design colors too. But you can count on a quality item.
Timing & DNF
Chip Timing
All races will be chip timed. Chips will be attached to an ankle strap, picked up on race morning only at the event venue, and must be worn on your ankle during the race. Chips are likely to not work if worn anywhere other than your ankle.
Once you finish, we will have a bin for you to place your chip into. Our head timer will take care of it from there.
Check Out
If you leave the race for any reason before completing the full race distance, you must turn in your timing chip. If we have your Chip, then we know you have left the course & we won't go looking for you all day & night.
DNF (Did Not Finish)
If you decide to not finish the distance you registered for, you may get a finisher medal to commemorate the miles you did finish; but you will be a DNF in the results; and you will not be in contention for awards for the shorter distance category.
Split Time Collection
Some races may have mid-point reads to help us track progress during the race. If you see a timing mat on the course, make sure you run over it.
Pacers
Pacers are not allowed for this event.
Overall Awards
We love celebrating our top finishers! However, we don’t have awards ceremonies at most of our events. But all the top finishers will receive some really great stuff!
We will have some fun, special, handmade overall awards to hand out when you cross the finish line. Volunteers will check results as you cross, but sometimes there’s a delay since our events are mostly remote. So, if you think you may be in contention for one, please ask before leaving.
Please note, we do not mail awards to anyone who leaves without their earned award. If there is any signal, you can also look up how you did on the results page (found in the pre-race email and at the top of this event webpage).
For this race, we will be awarding Top 3 male and Top 3 female, as well as Top Masters male and Top Masters female (50 & up).
There are special awards handed out uniquely for the Tejas 250, Tejas 300, and Tejas 400.
For anyone who completes 500, 1000, 1500km or miles at the same event, we give away special fleeces for you to make others jealous with.
Families & Youth Run
Tejas Trails is for families! We have a few things going on to help everyone have fun on race weekend.
For you runners who are trying to figure out how to train and race while trying to be a good friend, partner, spouse, or grandparent.
For you family members and friends who are trying to support your runner, but get bored out of your minds trying to keep your young ones safe and busy.
Our goal is for the runner’s family and friends to have fun things to do, enjoy hanging out, exercise, play in the woods, and create great life-long memories together. Bottom line, we want families to grow closer together because of Tejas Trails events. So, we will provide things like family discounts, yard games, practically free youth races, and a family-friendly environment.
One of our favorite parts of our events is the Youth Trail Run. The course will be around a mile, and at most events it’s possible to run less for our really young racers! You can register your child on the main Reg button at the top of this page. It is an untimed race, and every runner receives a race bib and finisher medal.
We will also have a bunch of backyard games setup around the Race Hub. Just look for the ‘Fun and Games’ flag, and dig through the totes to find some fun toys and games for all ages.
For this event, we have something really cool called “RACEDAY ADVENTURE CAMP”. Check the link out below if you and your kiddos are adventurous!
We are proud to be a part of the Youth Trail Series by ATRA & USATF
If you see this badge on an event page, that means that event is a part of the Youth Trail Series, which is a growing nation-wide series of events that are seeking to help grow youth trail runners, to have more fun and be involved at the recreational level, and to ultimately lead to more competitive runners repping Team USA at international trail running races!
For any registrant who is 19 & Under, your registration will automatically be discounted 15-20%. No code is needed. This is good for all our races of 10 miles and shorter.
Getting Here
Everything happens at Camp Eagle. All courses start and end in the Pavilion (near the edge of the river).
When driving in, be sure you follow the directions found on Camp Eagle’s website. You want to come in from Hwy 41. If you turn onto Hackberry Road from the other side, you will make it, but you’ll be driving through ranches’ bump gate, and moving slow. Camp Eagle has actually got the 8 mile road in from Hwy 41 fixed up! It’s like a different world for those who have been out before!
Once you pull onto the Camp’s property, you’ll drive across a beautiful low water crossing. A couple minutes later you’ll drive under a suspension foot bridge. The office is immediately on your left up that short steep hill.
After you check in at the office, head back onto that road going the same way you were going. You’ll see full-time housing on your right, and your next left is the turn to the Pavilion, where all the race action is.
Camping & Lodging
Camp Eagle has hundreds of beds onsite. Some are within a few seconds, some within a few minutes walk to the start / finish line, main race area, and dining hall. You can choose from really nice hotel style rooms, dorm style rooms, hostel style rooms (where you just buy a single bed in a room of 12-24 beds), yurts, screened shelters, tent camping, and car camping.
Please note: Camp Eagle has a strict no dogs policy. You’ll have to leave the pups at home.
Tent camping & RV camping will be available for $5-$15 per person per night, payable via cash or card at the front gate. (No reservation needed)
Make lodging reservations by clicking the button below. The system may or may not prompt you for an “event code”. If it does, it’s “DirtFest…followed by the year”, so for an example, in 2025 it’s “DirtFest25”. In 2026 it’s “DirtFest26”, etc. Then once you are logged in, it will go to "Book Housing". From there you can book whatever room you'd like. The rooms in Nueces, Headwaters and the Yurts are all bunk style with 10-12 beds each. The SSV also has some bunk rooms available, but some of the SSV cabins are reserved for hostel-style housing where people can book individual beds. They also have tent camping sites, screened in shelters with 8 beds per room, and a handful of RV sites.
The following price list may change (you'll have to check with Camp Eagle to be sure. But this will give you an idea):
Hostel Beds: $20/night
Screen Shelter Cabins: $35 (3-5 beds per cabin)
Dorm Rooms: $120 - $160 (At least 12 beds per dorm room)
Basic Parking side Hotel Style Rooms: $110
Basic River side Hotel Style Rooms: $120
Yurts along the river: $120 (14 per bldg)
Hotel Style Suites: $175
You can also sleep at one of a couple hunting lodges / inns in the little town of Rocksprings or other nearby small towns. Although there's not much to do there, there is a gas station, grocery store, and a couple restaurants. Beyond that, Kerrville is a full on small city, about 1 hour 10 minutes away, with several major hotel chains, BnBs, RV campgrounds, many restaurants, gas stations, etc.
