NWA is considered one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the country. Why? Northwest Arkansas has unequaled natural beauty, trails to match any level of experience including some of the most competitive trails in the U.S., and this N. W. corner of Arkansas also has many different trails to choose from. As if all this weren’t enough, the lower altitude allows enthusiasts to ride almost year-round.
For example, the recently opened 36 mile Razorback Greenway a primarily hard trail, shared-use trail that extends from the Bella Vista Trail in north Bentonville to south Fayetteville has been received with open arms.
In addition to the Greenway, there are also approximately 200 miles of soft surface trails to mountain bike on throughout Northwest Arkansas (NWA).
Perhaps, the most popular bike trail is Slaughter Pen, located in Bentonville. It offers multiple connection points from downtown Bentonville and links to the trails around Crystal Bridges Museum of Art, many consider some of the most beautiful trails to be found in the world.
Table of Contents
Below is a list of Top Mountain Bike Trails in Northwest Arkansas:
Bentonville
Photo Courtesy Jeremy Scott
Trail: Slaughter Pen Hollow Trail is a 30 mile loop trail located near Bentonville, Arkansas and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for mountain biking and is accessible year-round.
Directions/Location:Take Interstate 540 and exit at U.S. 71B in Bentonville. Follow U.S. 71B south for one mile to the parking lot on the left. Bike north on the concrete trail for one-half mile to the Slaughter Pen Hollow trail head.
Description: Slaughter Pen trails are fast and have flow with enough technical stuff to make it hard.
Note: Slaughter Pen plays host to the Slaughter Pen Jam, a three day festival with trials exhibition, rides, races, music, and food.
Bella Vista
Trail: Blowing Springs
Directions/Parking: (from Town Center on Arkansas 340/Lancashire Boulevard): Take U.S. 71 south. Turn left on Dartmoor Road. Parking is off Blowing Springs Road before you get to the guard shack for the RV Park.
Description: Blowing Springs trails are fast and have flow with the more technical stuff and better scenery than Slaughter Pen. The trails include caves, waterfalls, springs, and cliff riding and is popular with hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners year-round. The loop nets about six miles and connects easily to Slaughter Pen for more mileage.
Eureka Springs
Trail: Lake Leatherwood
Location: 1303 Co Rd 204, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Description: Lake Leatherwood has over 21 miles of low impact multi-use trails.
Fayetteville
Photo Courtesy Jeremy Scott
Trail: Lake Fayetteville
Location/Parking: 71B take Zion road to Veterans Memorial Park. The trail loops around Lake Fayetteville, starting and ending there.
Description: Lake Fayetteville is located on the north side of Fayetteville. It has a 5.50 mile loop that is family-friendly and is a good place to get a quick ride includes a hardwood forest, waterfall, wild flowers and is primarily used for mountain biking & trail running and is also accessible year-round.
Trail: Mt. Sequoyah
Location/Parking: Parking is available at the intersection of Happy Hollow Road and East Paddock Road.
Description: This popular 10-mile natural-surface trail is situated above downtown Fayetteville and winds its way through the forested hillside of Mount Sequoyah. It is considered technical with lots of rocks but the scenery is well worth it.
Trail: Mount Kessler
Location/Parking:Take exit 60 off I-49 and go south about one-half mile on Cato Springs Road and turn right on Judge Cummings Road (WC 200) and the parking will be on your right.
Description: Mount Kessler is a lot like Sequoyah (unique and rocky trail) but a little more technical with some great scenery as well.
Trail: Lincoln Lake
Location Rheas Community Rd, Lincoln, AR 72744 (20 miles west of Fayetteville)
Description: Lincoln Lake sometimes referred to as “little Devils Den” offers some awesome towering bluffs, hardwood forest, a pine forest, passes by many caves and has great views of the lake.
Trail: Devils Den State Park
Location/Parking: 11333 West Arkansas Highway 74
West Fork 72774. South of Fayetteville, Parking is available at the campground across Lee Creek from the Visitor Center.
Description: Devils Den State Park has one of the oldest mountain bike trails (Fossil Flats) in the State of Arkansas. The park also offers scenic hiking trails and camping and fishing.
Note: Devil’s Den park plays hosts to the annual Northwest Arkansas Championship mountain bike race in the fall and a mountain bike festival each spring.
Rogers
Photo Courtesy Scott Schroen General Manager Phat Tire
Trail: Hobbs State Park
Location: 20201 AR-12, Rogers, AR 72756
Description: Hobbs State Park trail system is really smooth with a lot of climbing.
More Information: https://bit.ly/1PTTZ4n
Trail: Lake Atlanta Trail
Location: 120 Lake Atalanta Rd, Rogers, AR 72756
Description: Lake Atlanta is a new trail system that has some really nice views of the lake and some fresh new trails.Trail system is multiple loop networks that branch at different points along the lake road.
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