From the flat plains of its Delta region next to the Mississippi River, to the rolling hills in its interior and the Boston Mountains in the Ozarks, Arkansas has a variety of terrain that entices bicyclists of all skill levels. Couple that with a moderate climate, stunning natural beauty and an extensive network of trails, and the state is the perfect escape for anyone who wants to spend their next vacation on two wheels. Here is a look at some of the best places where you can pedal away on your next visit and really get outside the ordinary.
Bentonville, about a four-hour drive from the state capital, Little Rock, is considered the mountain biking capital of the world. This hub for the arts, culinary and outdoor experiences in the heart of the Ozarks is home to more than 220 kilometres of hard and soft biking trails for all skill levels — and connects to an even larger network of regional trails.
Head to The HUB Bike Lounge — it combines bikes with locally sourced retail, food, coffee, cocktails and beer — to learn the lay of the land from area outdoor enthusiasts before heading out to Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. While you might feel like you are in the mountains thanks to the trails featuring multiple jump lines, challenging technical rocky sections and several huge gap jumps, the preserve is located about a kilometre from downtown Bentonville. There are several bike shops and rental services in the city if you didn’t bring you own equipment, as well as guides that can take you out on excursions.
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While in Bentonville be sure to also pedal over to the Museum of Native American History to take a 14,000-year journey of discovery as you learn about Indigenous cultures, and the free-admission Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art that is home to a world-class collection of artworks and modern masterpieces.
Where to hit the trails
• OZ Trails: Headquartered in Bentonville, the OZ Trails is a word-class collection of shared-use trails located throughout the northwest of the state. Each trail system was created with local community support and are meant to celebrate the local culture and landscape — all with a goal of being inclusive so everyone can experience them. Along with Bentonville, other trails are located in Bella Vista, Eureka Springs, Fayetteville, Ponca, Springdale and the Rogers/Lowell area. OZ Trails also highlights several beginner friendly courses in the state for those just starting their two-wheeled adventures.
• The Monument Trails: Named the best mountain biking in the U.S. by Outside Magazine in 2023, The Monument Trails are a collection of shared-use trail systems located in four Arkansas State Parks. They were built to showcase historic landmarks, scenic vistas and the natural beauty of their locations, from lush forests to waterfalls, and designed to be sustainable. The trail systems — which vary in terrain and difficulty — are located in Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area near Bentonville, Pinnacle Mountain State Park just outside Little Rock, Devil’s Den State Park in lower Washington County, and Mount Nebo State Park, a 533-metre-high mountain escape in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley.
• IMBA Epics: The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has nationally recognized five spots for their innovate trail building and the diversity of their riding opportunities through Arkansas’ backcountry. They include The Upper Buffalo that feature around 65 kms of trails surrounding the highest point in the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita National Recreation Trail that stretches for 375 kms across the Ouachita National Forest, the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail that follows the lake’s shoreline and continues up to the top of Hickory Nut Mountain, Syllamo and its series of interconnecting looped trails, and the Womble Trail, which is the site of the annual Womble Classic Mountain Bike Race.
Mountain biking on the Monument Trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock, Arkansas.
Arkansas Tourism
Tips to make your ride more enjoyable
Since biking is so popular in the state, some trailhead parking lots can fill up with vehicles quite quickly. To make it easier for you, several shuttle services operate around the northwest that will take you and your gear to the trail system, so you don’t need to worry about any of the logistics. Among those servicing the region are Bentonville-based Ozark Bike Guides, and Eureka Springs Slaughter Trail Guides.
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And, to help you have the best ride possible, TrailPilot is a GPS-enabled iOS app that provides guided audio tours of mountain biking trails in Northwest Arkansas. As you are riding a trail, a local expert will give you audio warnings about any hazards, suggest alternate routes or highlight interesting features and insight about the local area.
Biking experiences depending on your skill level
For bike enthusiasts looking for a unique experience, one that showcases all the state has to offer, register to take part in the Arkansas Graveler. Held over six days in late June (each leg is less than 100 kms, with one daily ride topping out around 122 kms), the ride sees participants travel from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, through the Ozark Mountains and the Delta, to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Along the way, participants are greeted by festival-like atmospheres at the end of each day’s ride (and an energy-fueling breakfast in the morning), with locally sourced, family-style dinners, craft distillery tastings and local entertainment.
For those who are looking for more adrenaline-filled biking, The Big Mountain Enduro is a race series that includes some of the biggest and most challenging mountain bike terrain in the U.S., including Arkansas’ Mount Nebo — this year that race takes place May 4 to 5. The races are designed to test your strength, endurance and technical skills.
For more ideas on how to Escape to Your Natural State on a biking vacation in Arkansas, visit .
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