Mountain Biking Mount Fitzgerald in Springdale, AR: Home to the Best Trail Ever?

Q: 🅿️ Where should I park?

There is a nice parking lot at the base of the trails ( Google driving directions ). There are bathrooms, a water fountain, picnic tables, and a nice pavilion if you want to hang out after your ride.

Q: 🪨 What’s up with the 1857 trail?

This trail is techy! I’m a very confident able mountain biker and I found this trail to be a bit much. The good thing is that it’s short, so you don’t have to walk long.

Mountain bike on rocky armored section of trail at Mount Fitzgerald in Arkansas

Mountain bike framed by cave opening at Mount Fitzgerald in Arkansas

With a name like Best Trail Ever, how could I not go check out the Mount Fitzgerald mountain bike trails in Springdale, Arkansas? Bentonville might steal the spotlight when it comes to trail networks in NWA, but if you’re like me, you’re always on the hunt for something a little more off the radar.

My first ride at Mount Fitzgerald? Meh. I loved Coyote Cave, but Best Trail Ever left me cranky and questioning my life choices. (To be fair, I was hot, tired, and probably just needed a snack.)

But on return visits, the place grew on me fast. Best Trail Ever may not live up to its name, but it’s definitely a unique stretch of singletrack if you like rocks, tech, and a bit of a fight. Coyote Cave is just plain cool — don’t skip the actual cave! And if jumps are your thing, there are a few trails to get airborne on, too. It’s the kind of network that offers a little something to every style of rider.

So if you’re looking to break away from the Bentonville scene and explore something a bit different, here’s what you need to know about the mountain bike trails at Mount Fitzgerald.

Quick Tips

For mountain biking at Mount Fitzgerald

Ride Best Trail Ever counterclockwise
Scope before you send! There’s some big stuff here
One day of riding is plenty if you’re just visiting
Checking out Coyote Cave trail is a must

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

What I like about mountain biking at Mount Fitzgerald

Coyote Cave!
A little bit of everything for all styles of riding
Good techy challenge, especially on Best Trail Ever
You’re likely to have the trails to yourself

What I don’t

Trail maintenance seems to be hit or miss
The constant tech on Best Trail Ever can get frustrating
The DH zone is a little lackluster, especially compared to Bentonville

Photo of cave entrances from inside the cave

Photo taken from inside cave of mountain bike leaning on boulder

Rock slab jump onto a wooden ramp on mountain bike trail

Planning your River Mountain Park ride

Best trails to hit

Mount Fitzgerald is a pretty small trail network, so you can ride all the trails in one day.

Stagecoach (beginner)
Wagon Ride (beginner+)
Butterfield (intermediate)
Coyote Cave (advanced)
Best Trail Ever (advanced)

Tip: Butterfield is mostly used for climbing, but if you’re a new rider or with kids, you can use it as the descent as well.

Route recommendations

Fitz 5 (intermediate) – A great quick spin.
Mount Fitzgerald Highlights (advanced) – Hits most of the trails at Mount Fitzgerald. Don’t underestimate these miles – you’ll work for them.

Mount Fitzgerald Trail Map

Trail sign for Best Trail Ever at Mount Fitzgerald trail system in Arkansas — Fun? Mostly. Best Trail Ever? No….

FAQs for Mount Fitzgerald

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some helpful tips for riding the Mount Fitzgerald mountain bike trails in Springdale, AR:

Yes, class 1 pedal assist e-bikes are allowed at Mount Fitzgerald.

There is a nice parking lot at the base of the trails (Google driving directions). There are bathrooms, a water fountain, picnic tables, and a nice pavilion if you want to hang out after your ride.

Yes, but they may be closed temporarily for rain or snow.

Yes, and there are a few trail maps at major intersections. I still recommend having TrailForks downloaded to your phone.

I think that depends on how much time you have and what kind of riding you enjoy. If you only have 3-4 days, it’s probably best to concentrate your riding up in Bentonville. I’d also say Hobbs and Devil’s Den should be higher priorities than Mount Fitzgerald. But if you’re ridden NWA several times or like off-the-beaten path places then yeah, Fitzgerald is worth checking out.

This trail is techy! I’m a very confident able mountain biker and I found this trail to be a bit much. The good thing is that it’s short, so you don’t have to walk long.

Photo out over front of mountain bike handlebars onto technical rock section of trail — 1857 is very rocky technical with some high-stakes sections that wouldn’t feel good if you crashed

Large rock gap jump on mountain bike trail at Mount Fitzgerald in Arkansas — There are some big jumps and features at Mount Fitzgerald! This is on Best Trail Ever

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.

See my gear favorites

Mount Fitzgerald may not be the best or most extensive trail network in Northwest Arkansas, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. I always enjoy my rides there whether I’m doing a shortie, but goodie loop on Coyote Cave or I’m up for a slightly punishing and longer ride that includes Best Trail Ever. It’s a unique trail network the doesn’t get the crowds of Bentonville, but is still packed with variety, impressive trail building, and most importantly sweet and fun singletrack!

Have you explored the mountain bike trails at Mount Fitzgerald? What did you think of Best Trail Ever? Is it? Leave a comment below!

Mountain Biking Mount Fitzgerald in Springdale, AR: Home to the Best Trail Ever?

Quick Tips

TWW Take

What I like about mountain biking at Mount Fitzgerald

What I don’t