If you’re a mountain biker, you’ve probably heard whisperings – or maybe even shouts from the rooftop – of how good the mountain biking is in Arkansas. With Bentonville being dubbed “the Mountain Bike Capital of the World” and Arkansas State Parks initiating their Monument Trails project, there are lots of reasons to plan a visit to the Natural State.
I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the Arkansas mountain biking scene and I’m thoroughly impressed – so much so that I’m considering putting down roots here someday… There’s just so much riding and for the most part, it’s all really good! From machine-built flow tracks to rough and rowdy downhill lines, Arkansas has it all.
And what impresses me even more about Arkansas is that it’s not just about mountain biking. The whole state is underrated (IMO) with hidden gems like waterfalls, caves, wilderness area, and turquoise-colored rivers sprinkled throughout. It’s stunning!
I tell everyone I meet that they need to check out the mountain biking here and in this post, I’ve rounded up my top 10 recommendations on where to ride.
Bentonville
Bentonville, of course, tops the list. This is where it all started with the Walton Foundation pouring millions of dollars into trail building and developing the area into a destination for mountain bikers.
As someone who has ridden all over the United States (and the world), I haven’t seen anything else like what’s happening in Bentonville. It’s seriously like Disney World for mountain bikers.
There are hundreds of miles of trail that run the gamut of ‘mountain biking’. From long-cross-country pedals up in Bella Vista to pro-only drops at Preserve and everything else in between, Bentonville is a playground. And the art! Almost every trail has some sort of sculpture or art feature, which makes the riding there even more fun and engaging.
I’ve been coming back here every year since 2020 and it’s one of my all-time favorite places to ride. The trail builders also aren’t done yet! Every year there are new trails to discover and even new trail networks to ride.
If you haven’t been yet, put Bentonville at the top of you’re bike-it list. You won’t regret it! Here are two of my favorite places to ride in Bentonville (and if you want to dive even deeper, check out my complete planning guide for mountain biking in Bentonville).
1. Coler Preserve
Coler Preserve is the ‘bike park’ of Bentonville. It doesn’t have a shuttle or lift, but the climbs are very well-built (some parts are even paved) and the descents will have you grinning from ear to ear.
Fire Line is the ‘must-ride’ trail here – it’s a fast, flowy intermediate jump line – and Cease and Desist has the legendary Drop the Hammer feature and starts from Coler’s iconic hub.
If jumps aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of old-school tech or mellow cross-country pedaling as well. Definitely do some laps on Thunder Dome, though, and if you want a challenge, try your hand at Here’s Johnny (north to south)!
2. The Back 40
The Back 40 is another of my favorite networks to ride in Bentonville and definitely one of the best Arkansas mountain biking destinations. Located just north of Bentonville, it caters more toward the cross-country crowd, but there are some hidden gems for those looking to get air (Taylor’s Homestead and Go Flo) or rocky tech (The Ledges).
The Back 40 is a 20+ mile loop, but I think there are more interesting ways to spend your time there. Check out my Back 40 guide for route recommendations.
Fayetteville
The city of Fayetteville is located about 30 miles south of Bentonville and has its own network of worthy mountain bike trails. I actually like them almost as much as Bentonville! While they’re not quite as well-maintained or as popular, I think they’re definitely worth checking out if you have the time or want to escape the crowds at Coler.
My three favorite places to ride in Fayetteville are Mt. Kessler, Centennial Park (home to a World Cup cross-country track!), and Mount. Fitzgerald, which is technically in Springdale.
3. Mt. Kessler
The first time I rode Mt. Kessler I did not enjoy it. The second time it grew on me and now it’s one of my favorite places to mountain bike in Arkansas. It’s definitely on the rougher/old-school side of things, so take that into consideration before opting to add it to your itinerary. You gotta like rocks!
4. Centennial Park
Centennial Park is a blast! Located just north of Mt. Kessler and home to a World Cup cross-country course, it’s a must-ride in my book. There’s a great mix of new-school flow and old-school tech, so any rider – even beginners – can find something fun here.
5. Mount Fitzgerald
With a trail named “Best Trail Ever” Mount Fitzgerald is worth a day of riding. It’s located just north of Fayetteville and has some unique terrain. The Best Trail Ever isn’t exactly the ‘best trail ever’ but it’s a good challenge and has some interesting features. Coyote Cave is also super cool (stop and check out the cave) and there are some flow tracks and jump lines on the southside of the park. Here’s my guide with more info on how to ride the Mount Fitzgerald trails.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a funky little place. It’s an old spa town that has retained its Victorian feel. It’s definitely a tourist destination, but it’s really cool. I highly recommend spending an afternoon walking around downtown and exploring the steep lanes and paths that criss-cross town. Ditch the map and follow your curiosity – guaranteed it’ll take you to some interesting places!
But Eureka Springs isn’t just a unique town. It’s also home to two of my personal favorite mountain bike trail networks: Lake Leatherwood and Passion Play.
6. Lake Leatherwood
The Lake Leatherwood trails can be divided up into two parts: half the trail network is a shuttle-accessed downhill bike park with 7 DH trails and the other half is a cross-country network. The Lake Leatherwood Gravity Project is super fun, a little rowdy, and definitely worth a day or two. The shuttle runs on weekends, or you can also pedal your way to the top.
The 15 or so miles of cross-country trails are pretty fun as well. I recommend booking a campsite at Lake Leatherwood City Park and spending a few days exploring!
7. Passion Play
Passion Play is a strange, but very fun place… The trails are built on the mountain where the Great Passion Play is located. I’m still not quite sure what this place really is, but it’s some sort of religious destination. Apparently people come from all over the world to see the huge statue of Christ and watch the Passion Play show in the summer. The grounds also have re-creations of Biblical sites that the trails pass through. It’s strange…
Anyway, the trails are super fun! They’re definitely more on the enduro side with steeper terrain, bigger features, and stouter climbs. Definitely have fresh legs when you visit here – you’ll earn your descents!
The Monument Trails
The Monument Trails are a series of four state parks in Arkansas that have been developed with mountain bike trails. I love three of them – Pinnacle is meh….
8. Devil’s Den State Park
Devil’s Den is really cool and has one of the most unique trails I’ve ridden in Arkansas – Devil’s Racetrack. Much of the trail is along a tall limestone band with shallow caves and overhanging rock. It’s beautiful! (see photo below)
The rest of the network is cross-country with a few downhill-minded trails that are a blast. There isn’t too much tech here, but Devil’s Den is one of my favorite places to ride in Arkansas and a must-ride in my opinion.
If you want to spend the night, there is a great campground (no cell service) as well as cabins to rent out and there’s a scenic river that runs through the park. It would be a great place to hang out at for a few days!
9. Hobbs State Park
If you’re looking for a 17-mile mellow pedal along the shores of a beautiful lake, head to Hobbs State Park. The lake is beautiful and the trails are mostly easy pedaling through quiet woods. They’re actually some of the best cross-country trails I’ve ever ridden! Think great flow, nice climbs, and fast, flowy descents.
10. Mount Nebo State Park
Mount Nebo is epic. It easily wins a spot for one of the best Arkansas mountain biking trail networks. But be warned – your legs will do some heavy pedaling!
Mount Nebo is located about 1.5 hours northwest of Little Rock. What makes it so unique is that it’s a flat-topped mountain. You drive all the way up on a steep windy road (vehicles over 24 ft are not allowed, but there is trail parking at the bottom). The views from the top are amazing! If you have a few days, I highly recommend booking a campsite for a few days. It’s absolutely worth it for the sunrise and sunset.
The trails are awesome too. There’s a good mix of everything from machine-built flow on Chickalah Valley to really technical rock riding on Lizard Trail. If you’re just looking for mellow with not a lot of climbing, Miller’s Goat circumnavigates the perimeter of the flat-top mountain. Head over to my guide on mountain biking at Mount Nebo for more tips and details.
Where I’ve ridden that I didn’t love…
Alright, so those are the highlights. But what about the Arkansas mountain biking trails that aren’t worth checking out? There are those, too.
- Ponca Downhill: I was really looking forward to checking out the Ponca Downhill trails in the Buffalo River area, but they just weren’t that great. The didn’t seem very well maintained and it felt like you were pedaling downhill for a lot of time. Such a shame!
- Pinnacle Mountain State Park: this is the fourth Monument Trails System network and honestly I didn’t love it. Pinnacle Mountain didn’t feel as ‘monumental’ or unique as the other three and I’d skip it if you have limited time.
- Syllamo – I haven’t ridden the Syllamo trails in northeastern Arkansas, but I have been warned against them. A friend said that they’re super overgrown and not very interesting, so…
On my radar
I still have a few trail networks that I want to check off in Arkansas! There are:
- Northwoods Trails in Hot Springs: These trails are supposed to be some of the best in the state. And Hot Springs is supposedly a funky little gateway town to Hot Springs National Park.
- Red Lick: Also located down near Hot Springs, the Red Lick trails also look pretty amazing. I first learned about them after a friend sent me this video.
- Upper Buffalo Headwaters: Funny story… I was on my way to these trails, but the access road in was a suuuper steep dirt road and my van couldn’t make it up. I ended up having to back down a quarter of a mile. So stressful. But they are supposed to be beautiful. I have a feeling they don’t get a lot of maintenance, though.
- Camp Robinson: This trail network is just north of Little Rock. I don’t know too much about it aside that it looks great on TrailForks.
- Rattlesnake Ridge: When I was riding Pinnacle Mountain State Park, I met another mountain biker who recommended Rattlesnake Ridge just west of Pinnacle. Supposedly it’s a bit more interesting and fun.
Tips for Mountain Biking in Arkansas
Before planning your mountain bike trip to Arkansas, here are some things to keep in mind:
Best time of year to ride
Depending on what the weather is doing, much of Arkansas can actually be ridden year-round. That being said, Arkansas does get snow in the winter, but it doesn’t usually last for more than a week or less. However, many trails are closed in wet conditions.
Summers can be very hot and humid, which can make for unpleasant riding. But it’s still doable. I’ve visited at the end of August and I could squeeze sweat out of my gloves after every ride….
Personally, I think the best time for Arkansas mountain biking is during the fall and spring months when temps are cooler.
Have you explored the mountain bike trails in Arkansas? What are your favorite places to ride? Do you have anything to add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
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I have gone on 3 separate trips to Arkansas to mountain bike (And ride motorcycles which Arkansas rocks for). Bentonville is like going to an amusement park…short and sweet fun for the whole family. Would love to live there as riding these trails are low commitment. Back 40 and blowing springs are great XC with a lot of variety. Great workout and can ride in rain, but nothing next level.
I road Pinnacle, hated pinnacle. I think the trails are boring or don’t quite make sense. Like hiking trails turned into MTB trails. Lots of weird decisions on routes and wasted elevation potential. Truly frustrating.
Mt.Nebo, on the other hand, is top tier. Its the only trails in Arkansas that felt grand. Do not bring a beginner here. But experts will feel what mountain riding is 600 miles east of real mountains.
Passion play is fun and dense and I road by Eureka Springs seeing a lot of big smiles on a few MTBers faces.
Thanks for the insights! Interesting about Pinnacle. I almost stopped there on my way out of Arkansas, but glad I didn’t. Sounds like I’ll need more than a day to figure the trails out. Mt. Nebo is definitely on my list, though. Even more so now!