Mountain Biking the Mt. Nebo State Park trails: Epic Views & Long Downhills!


One of my missions for mountain biking in Arkansas was to ride at all four of Arkansas’s Monument Trail Systems. Mt. Nebo was the third network I rode (the first two were Devil’s Den and Hobbs) and it quickly became one of my favorites. I only had two full days to ride, but I wish I could have stayed a week!
So what makes the mountain biking at Mt. Nebo so special? The views for one thing. The campground and parking areas are situated at the top of the plateau mountain with 360-degree panoramic views all around. It’s stunning, especially at sunrise and sunset.
The trails are also awesome with the perfect mix of tech, flow, and features. Be ready to earn your downhills, though — climbing is required at Mt. Nebo!
If Mt. Nebo is on your radar for a mountain bike trip (and it should be), this post has everything you need to know to plan an awesome visit.
Quick Tips
For mountain biking at Mt. Nebo State Park
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 love about mountain biking at Mt. Nebo
What I don’t

A note on the climbing: Before I get into the trails and route recommendations, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the climbing. There is a lot of climbing involved at Mt. Nebo. The two rides I did both had over 2,500 ft of elevation gain.
I don’t want to intimidate you or discourage you from riding at Mt. Nebo because it is awesome, but be prepared to pedal. The good news, though, is that the climb trails are really well built with lots of switchbacks and (mostly) mellow grades. I found the climbing there to actually be quite enjoyable.
Two easier options for getting to the top are shuttling and e-bikes. Currently, there is no commercial shuttle company, so you’ll need to set a shuttle up yourself (and remember, the road up is very steep and windy). Class 1 e-bikes are also allowed at Mt. Nebo, although there are no local shops around that rent them.
Planning your Mt. Nebo Rides
Best trails to hit
Honestly, most of the trails are great, although I only recommend doing Lizard if you’ve already ridden everything else and/or you’re up for a big challenge.
- Miller’s Goat (beginner)
- Chickalah Downhill & Valley Loop (intermediate)
- Hayes Creek Run (advanced)
- Lizard Trail (advanced)
Tip: Pace yourself here – the uphills are uphill.
Route recommendations
- Mt. Nebo Day 1 (intermediate) – Great first ride at Mt. Nebo. Add Lizard Trail if you’re feeling frisky.
- Mt. Nebo Day 2 (intermediate) – Hit the other trails that you didn’t do on day 1.
- The Total Package (advanced) – If you only have one day at Mt. Nebo, this route covers a lot of ground. Personally, I’d skip Lizard Trail, though, and do the full Chickalah Valley Loop.
Mt. Nebo State Park Trail Map


FAQs for Mt. Nebo State Park
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some helpful tips about the Mt. Nebo mountain bike trails:
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.

I really, really enjoy riding the Mt. Nebo State Park trails. The views are awesome, the flow trails are super well-built, the tech is just the right amount of challenging, and even the tough climbs feel worth it. Everything comes together in this compact but dialed-in network. Add in the campground perched at the top and the perfect spots to catch sunrise and sunset, and Mt. Nebo starts to feel like a near-perfect mountain biking destination. Just be ready for the climbs—they’re no joke, and you’ll definitely be earning your descents!
Is Mt. Nebo on your AR bike-it list? What questions do you still have about riding here? If you’ve already been, what was your experience like? 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!