Mountain Biking Bella Vista’s Back 40 Trails: Fast, Flowy, & Full of Surprises!
It’s no secret that I love Bentonville. I first rolled into this Northwest Arkansas town in 2020 and have made it a point to swing through every year since. As a mountain biker, there’s truly no place like it. What I love most is the variety—there’s terrain for every style and skill level, from massive jumps I’ll never touch to endless miles of scenic cross-country.
Just a short drive north of Bentonville, the Back 40 trails in Bella Vista have become one of my favorite networks. The 22-mile Back 40 Loop is perfect if you’re looking to go the distance, but in my opinion, the real fun lies in linking together shorter (and more interesting) rides. Add in the Blowing Springs trails and the newer Wonderland Trails, and you’ve got a mix of flow, tech, and views that keeps things fresh every time you ride.
If you’re new to the Back 40, this post covers everything you need to know to explore this awesome trail system on two wheels.
Quick Tips
For mountain biking the Back 40
TWW Take
Please note that these are my personal opinions – you may argue otherwise! And if so, state your case (politely) in the comments 🙂
Fun-ness Factor
Trail Variety
Average Difficulty
The Good & Not So Good of Mountain Biking at Bella Vista’s Back 40
What I like
What I don’t
5-Day Bentonville Mountain Biking Itinerary
Looking for the best trails and route recommendations for mountain biking in Bentonville? Download my 5-day itinerary packed with tips, links, and local secrets including the best trails to ride and route recommendations. Grab it now and start planning your trip to the Mountain Bike Capital of the World!
Planning your Back 40 Ride
Best trails to hit
The Back 40 trail is a 22 mile loop, but there is so many other great trails here, too.
- The Back 40 (intermediate)
- Taylor’s Homestead (intermediate – ride west to east)
- Go Ride (intermediate)
- The Ledges (advanced – ride south to north)
- It’ll Bluff Out (advanced)
Tip: Make sure you have a ride plan – you can get into some big mile days here!
Route recommendations
- Back 40 Fun & Flow (intermediate) – My go-to loop in the Back 40. It’s a good mix of XC pedaling and downhill flow. Don’t skip the little out-and-back loop up Flo Ride and down Go Ride.
- It’ll Bluff Out Loop (intermediate+) – It’ll Bluff Out is one of the newer trails at the Back 40. There’s some substantial exposure, so stay in control and keep your wits about you. Don’t ride when wet.
- Back 40 Variety Loop (advanced) – Another one of my go-to loops, especially if I want a more technical ride. Both Ledges and Boom Diggity are very unique trails that will test your balance, slow-speed skills, and comfort with exposure. Don’t ride when wet.
The Back 40 Trail Map
Back 40 or Little Sugar? You’ve probably noticed that the mountain bike trails in Bella Vista are split into two halves: the Back 40 trails and the Little Sugar trails. Which ones are better? You’d think that both sides would be pretty similar, but they’re actually not. Here’s how they compare:
Back 40
Little Sugar
So which do I prefer? I prefer Back 40 over Little Sugar.
FAQs & Planning Tips
🅿️ Parking: There are lots of places to park around the Back 40. Check out my route recommendations above to see where to park based on what ride you do.
🗺️ Navigating the trails: For the most part, navigating the Back 40 is pretty straightforward. The trails are well-signed and there are maps at most major intersections. However, I still recommend having TrailForks downloaded to your phone because it’s easy to take a wrong turn and end up doing a lot of bonus miles.
💧 Water: There are a handful of water fountains installed around the Back 40 and some trail adopters actually put out coolers filled with water bottles. That said, you can’t rely on these, so bring enough water to get you back to your car.
📅 How many days: You could do multiple rides in the Back 40 and not cover the same trails. But if you’re just visiting Bentonville for a quick trip, I’d say one day up here is enough (I recommend the Back 40 Variety Loop). If you have more time, then it is worth doing another ride or two.
☀️ When to go: The trails are rideable year-round, but please don’t ride them when wet or muddy.
🚲 What type of bike to bring: A short or mid-travel full-suspension mountain bike.
⚡️ E-bikes: Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are allowed at the Back 40 (and pretty much all of Arkansas).
🌳 The Gear Garden: I like hanging out at the Blowing Springs park after my Back 40 ride. There’s a beautiful little “Gear Garden” that has picnic tables and a shallow spring to cool off in. There are also food trucks and a beer garden that open later in the day.
Need gear recs?
Head over to my gear closet! I’m always testing out new pieces of bike gear and if I really like them, they earn a place on this page.
All in all, the Back 40 has really grown on me, especially considering I wouldn’t typically call myself a cross-country rider. I usually gravitate toward techy, more engaging terrain, but what the Back 40 lacks in gnar, it makes up for with well-built trails that are fast, flowy, and surprisingly fun. There’s even a bit of tech and airtime sprinkled in if you know where to look (Ledges in particular is a must for more advanced riders!).
Whenever I’m back in Bentonville, the Back 40 is usually my first stop. It’s a perfect intro ride to NWA with rolling climbs, scenic ravines, and just enough variety to keep things interesting. The biggest challenge here isn’t the terrain, it’s the mileage. Most good routes are 15 miles or more, so come ready to pedal. But if you’re looking for a cross-country adventure with a few hidden surprises, the Back 40 delivers every time!
Have you ridden the Back 40 trails? What’s your take on them? Do you have a favorite way to link up the trails? Leave a comment below!
Read next
Want even more planning tips? Download my Bentonville Mountain Biking Itinerary
Great summary of the area, as I feel like you are spot on with everything. First time I rode Homestead I did the other way, which was not fun riding up the back side of the jumps and tables. Certainly better the direction you recommend. I also in particular love the Back 40 loop section which bypasses The Ledges from south to north. Great flow for an XC trail.
Hopefully you got to ride Homestead in the right direction!
Yes I have ridden it the proper direction, and you’re right that it’s tons of fun!
Hey! Will be biking Bella Visya for the first time next month. We love Arkadelphia and the trails at Iron Mountain, especially Joe’s Garage. Is the Back40 similar, just longer?
Hi Deb- I’m not familiar with Arkadelphia or Iron Mountain, but from what I could see on TrailForks, it sounds like the Back 40 could be similar. From the photos, my guess is that the Back 40 will be more established— wider trail and more hard-packed surface. If you ride Bella Vista, let me know how you like it compared to Iron Mountain!