9 Places to Go Mountain Biking in Arkansas
The state offers trails for all ages and skill levels.
Looking for a place where you can really take your mountain bike for a spin? Arkansas should be at the top of your list. The Natural State has an extensive, ever-growing system of mountain biking trails that give riders of all ages and skill levels the chance to enjoy the unbeaten path.
These include five EPIC rides, a designation given by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) to honor a “true backcountry riding experience,” as well as a collection of Monument Trails, which are designed to reach some of the most scenic areas in the state.
“We have really great topography in Arkansas, and the trails on this landscape are ideal for climbing, descending and flowing,” says Brent Stinespring, president of the nonprofit mountain biking club Friends of Arkansas Singletrack, which is a chapter of IMBA. “We also have a diversity of trails tailored to meet the greatest variety of trail users. It’s not just for the elite athlete. There are trails here for a variety of athletic abilities, physical capabilities and interests. Everybody can find exactly what they want to do and still be in close proximity to one another.”
Dust off your bike and grab your helmet – here are 9 places to go mountain biking in Arkansas.
In This Article
1. Back 40 and Little Sugar in Bella Vista, Arkansas
These trail systems cut through the picturesque Ozark Mountains, providing plenty of striking scenery. A 21-mile loop encircles the Back 40 network, with additional trails throughout the interior, while Little Sugar has a 40-mile network that passes bluffs, lakes and a waterfall.
“The Bella Vista trails spread out, so you can cover a variety of terrain at different distances,” Stinespring says. “It gives you a little more open space.”
2. Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville, Arkansas
This popular preserve offers a hub system of trails, meaning riders start from a central location (a 20-foot-tall structure) that guides them to take one of three downhill runs. In total, there are more than 17 miles of trails, including one that passes Airship Coffee, an open-air café.
“That’s a cool experience by itself,” Stinespring says. “The whole area is a nice, natural setting with a stream that flows through the center and several scenic areas.”
3. The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
It is easy to find this trail network. Just look for the approximately 67-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks statue overlooking downtown Eureka Springs. Along with being a religious attraction, the Great Passion Play has more than 20 miles of trails for a variety of ages and skill levels. A shuttle service is available to take riders back to the top after their run.
“Some of the trails have more technical areas with some pretty serious drops and jumps,” Stinespring says.
4. Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area in Rogers, Arkansas
Within this approximately 12,000-acre park, there are a combination of downhill-only trails and easy flat rides past Beaver Lake. Stinespring recommends the nearly 8-mile Karst Loop, a designated Monument Trail with modest climbs and descents.
“It’s a lot smoother and more flowy,” Stinespring says. “If people don’t like technical climbing, that is a suitable spot for more intermediate riding. Most people can ride it and find something to enjoy on it.”
5. Lake Ouachita Vista Trail in Royal, Arkansas
Just outside Hot Springs is a 40-mile EPIC Trail system affectionately known by its acronym, LOViT Trail. In addition to views of Lake Ouachita, the trails meander through a mix of hardwood and pine forests. Sites along the way range from fields of wildflowers to remnants of old moonshine stills. According to the U.S. Forest Service, there are plans to extend the trail by an additional 40 miles along the shores of the 40,000-acre lake.
6. Mount Nebo State Park in Dardanelle, Arkansas
Getting to these trails is half the fun, as the drive along Highway 155 provides gorgeous views of the Arkansas River Valley. Once there, mountain bikers are greeted by a 25-mile Monument Trail system that passes waterfalls, rock formations and even more magnificent vistas. Since the 1,350-foot peak is surrounded by the River Valley, Stinespring says, “You have some really fun descents there. You can ride down and then shuttle back up.”
7. Slaughter Pen in Bentonville, Arkansas
Located just outside downtown Bentonville, this system spreads more than 40 miles, with trails ranging in difficulty from beginner (the All-American and Seed Tick Shuffle trails) to expert (the Scott Allen Alley and Medusa trails). The trails run along the Razorback Regional Greenway, and there are water stations scattered throughout, allowing riders to carry a single water bottle to refill, rather than a heavy pack.
“That is a huge bonus,” Stinespring says.
8. Syllamo in Mountain View, Arkansas
This EPIC Trail near the Missouri border consists of five interconnecting loops that, combined, cover more than 50 miles and provide elevated views of the White River. Approximately 70% of the trails are over rocky, rugged terrain, which is best suited for experienced riders. Part of the system, however, is appropriate for beginners, including a wider section where the route follows old, abandoned ATV trails.
“That is probably my favorite EPIC Trail in the state,” Stinespring says.
9. Upper Buffalo National River in Kingston, Arkansas
Another EPIC Trail, this system puts the “mountain” in mountain biking, as 40 miles of singletrack surround the highest point in the Ozarks. While there are trails suitable for novice riders, this is definitely a remote adventure compared to many of the state’s options.
“There are no coffee shops in that trail system. When you leave the parking lot, you’ll be on your own until you get back,” Stinespring says. “But you get a greater diversity of elevation and some really beautiful scenery. You’ll feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere because you are.”
Stinespring notes that even more mountain biking trails are on the way.
“There is an absolute explosion of trail networks all throughout our state,” he says. “There are exciting and extensive projects in the works to take the trail networks that we already have and make them far more elaborate and extensive. We don’t want our trails to take us to just one spot. We want to ride a trail that connects to a variety of things to see and do and to other trails.”
This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.