Mount Fitzgerald is a great mountain bike trail network just south of Bentonville. Learn how to ride it, best trails, what to expect, and more!
Quick tips for Riding at Mount Fitzgerald
With a trail named Best Trail Ever, I knew I needed to check out the Mount Fitzgerald mountain bike trails in Springdale, Arkansas. Sure, Bentonville just to the north provides nearly unlimited opportunities for putting together routes and rides, but if you’re like me, you enjoy getting off the beaten path trail when you can.
My first ride at Mount Fitzgerald was ok. I loved Coyote Cave, but Best Trail Ever left me feeling frustrated. I think I was just tired, sweaty, and didn’t really want to ride my bike that day.
But subsequent trips to Mount Fitzgerald have been awesome! Best Trail Ever may not be the best trail ever, but it is a lot of fun and a good challenge if you like rocks and tech. Coyote Cave is also super cool and definitely worth checking out – be sure to explore the cave! If you’re into getting air, Mount Fitzgerald also has big jumps and features, too. It’s a network that provides a little bit of everything for every type of rider.
So if you’re in NWA and looking to explore farther afield from Bentonville, here’s everything you need to know about mountain biking at Mount Fitzgerald.
Facts & FAQs
Q: Where is Mount Fitzgerald?
A: Mount Fitzgerald is located just east of Springdale, Arkansas, which is about 30 minutes south of Bentonville.
Q: Where do I park?
A: 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: Are the trails well-signed?
A: Yes, and there are a few trail maps at major intersections. I still recommend having TrailForks downloaded to your phone.
Q: Do I need to pay to ride?
A: Nope. The Mount Fitzgerald trails are free to ride.
Q: Are the trails open year-round?
A: Yes, but please don’t ride them when they’re wet. It’s very damaging to the trails.
Q: How many days do I need at Mount Fitzgerald?
A: If you’re just visiting, one day at Mount Fitzgerald is good. Depending on what type of terrain you like to ride, you might want to hit Best Trail Ever and Coyote Cave twice, though!
Trail Map
My Honest Review
Overall rating
The first time I rode at Mount Fitzgerald I wasn’t enthralled, but I think it was more due to my mood and tired legs than the actual trails. Now that I’ve ridden there are few times, I do really like this place.
It feels like the trail builders wanted to provide a little bit of everything for every type of rider. There are jump lines, flow trails, old-school tech, and cross-country routes. For such a small trail network with 12 miles of trail, there’s really something for everyone.
My main criticism of Mount Fitzgerald is that the trails don’t seem to get as much love and maintenance as they could (or should).
Average difficulty
There are beginner-friendly and advanced mountain bike trails at Mount Fitzgerald, but I would say that overall they definitely cater to the more experienced riders. The flow trails on the south end *could* be great for beginners, but the last time I rode them they were in pretty rough shape, making them a bit more challenging.
Trail variety
As I mentioned above, there is actually quite a bit of variety at Mount Kessler. It feels like the trail planners and builders wanted there to be a little bit of everything here for every type of rider. There are techy rock trails, flow trails, jump trails, and opportunities to put together cross-country routes. For more details on the trails, read my trail descriptions below.
Should you ride Mount Fitzgerald?
What to love about it
What to not
Read next
Planning a mountain bike trip to Northwest Arkansas? Check out these posts for inspiration and details:
Best Trails at Mount Fitzgerald
Looking for a new hydration pack?
Carry all your tools, water, and snacks for your ride. I know there are three camps when it comes to mountain bikers: the hydration backpackers, the hip packers, and the water bottlers.
I fall firmly in the hydration backpack club for a few reasons. I drink a lot of water, I eat a lot of snacks, and I like to be prepared with all the tools and spares I might need (especially when mountain biking alone).
The Osprey Raven (Raptor for the guys) is my favorite pack that I’ve tried. It has a ton of organization including its own tool roll, it’s comfortable, and it can carry a 3L water reservoir.
My Route Recommendation
Mount Fitzgerald Highlights
This is my go-to route when I’m in Arkansas and only have one day to ride at Mount Fitzgerald. It hits all the highlight trails like Coyote Cave and Best Trail Ever. There are also lots of options to modify it – see below for suggestions.
Route Basics
Ride it for:
- Unique challenge on Best Trail Ever
- Impressive rockwork
- Lap the freeride and flow trails
- Coyote Cave
Need to know:
- The trail maintenance could be better…
- Ride Best Trail Ever counterclockwise
- Best Trail Ever might be frustrating for some riders
Route directions: Mount Fitzgerald Parking > Stagecoach > Butterfield > Fitzgerald > Best Trail Ever > Coyote Cave > Stagecoach > Barking Iron > Stagecoach > Last Frontier > Wagon Ride > Quick Draw > Heading Home
Make it longer: You can lap the freeride trails or the flow trails as many times as you want!
Make it shorter & easier: Skip Best Trail Ever
Have you explored the mountain bike trails at Mount Fitzgerald? What did you think of Best Trail Ever? Is it? Leave a comment below!
I love hearing from you and appreciate your comments! However, if you leave a rude, unconstructive, or spammy comment, it will be deleted. It’s cool to be kind. Have an awesome day!