by Coach Anthony James
Arkansas has quickly pedaled its way onto the national cycling map.
From world-class mountain bike trails and endless gravel routes to remote bikepacking adventures, the Natural State offers every kind of rider a place to explore, compete, and connect with the thriving cycling community.
Gravel Riding
Arkansas has become a premier destination for gravel riding, offering a mix of scenic backroads, rolling hills, and rugged terrain.
Riders can explore miles of gravel routes that weave through the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, small historic towns, and forested valleys.
Events like the Big Sugar Gravel in Bentonville and The Rule of Three showcase the state’s growing gravel culture, drawing cyclists from around the country.
The variety of surfaces, from smooth hardpack to chunky, technical sections, means riders can find a route to match their skill level while enjoying the state’s rich natural beauty.
Mountain Bike Riding
Mountain biking in Arkansas is world-class, with trails that have earned recognition from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) as “Epic Rides.”
Northwest Arkansas, in particular, has become a hub for the sport, home to the extensive trail networks of Bentonville, Fayetteville, and the Slaughter Pen system.
The Oz Trails network connects hundreds of miles of professionally built singletrack, offering everything from flowy descents and jump lines to rocky technical climbs.
Further south, the Womble Trail and the Ouachita National Recreation Trail provide classic backcountry riding experiences surrounded by dense forest and clear streams.
Gravity Mountain Biking
In recent years, Arkansas has also become a destination for competitive and gravity-focused mountain biking.
Enduro racing has taken off with events such as the Arkansas Enduro Series, which attracts top regional talent to venues like Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, Lake Leatherwood, and Mount Nebo.
These races showcase the state’s variety of terrain, from fast, flowy descents to steep, technical rock gardens, testing both skill and endurance.
Dual slalom racing has likewise found a home in Northwest Arkansas, with purpose-built courses at Coler and other parks offering high-energy head-to-head racing that brings out crowds of enthusiastic spectators.
This growing focus on competition and progression highlights how Arkansas has evolved into a complete mountain bike destination for both recreational riders and racers alike.
Downhill Mountain Biking
Adding to that growth, a new lift-served downhill facility is currently planned between Bentonville and Bella Vista. The Oz Trails Bike Park will feature more than 20 miles of gravity-specific trails and a high-speed Poma-Leitner chairlift system to bring riders repeatedly from base to top.
Construction began in Spring 2025, making it the first of its kind in the region and positioning Northwest Arkansas as an even stronger destination for downhill mountain biking.
Bikepacking
Arkansas’s blend of wild landscapes and backroads makes it a perfect destination for bikepacking adventures.
Routes like the High Country Route, a 1,000+ mile loop developed by the Adventure Cycling Association, take riders deep into the state’s wilderness, passing through the Ozarks, Ouachitas, and quiet rural communities.
Riders can camp under starry skies, refill water from pristine creeks, and experience the slower pace of life that bikepacking encourages.
With ample public lands, forest-service roads, and scenic byways, Arkansas offers both challenging multi-day routes for seasoned travelers and shorter, more accessible overnighters for those new to the sport.
Cycling in Northwest Arkansas
Nowhere in the state embodies Arkansas’s cycling boom quite like Northwest Arkansas.
Cities such as Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville have invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, transforming the region into one of the most bike-friendly areas in the country.
Riders can move seamlessly between urban greenways, mountain bike trails, and gravel roads—all interconnected through the Razorback Greenway.
The area hosts a packed calendar of cycling events, including Outerbike Bentonville, The Rule of Three, Big Sugar Gravel, and the Joe Martin Stage Race, now called the Tour of Arkansas.
Beyond races and festivals, the community’s culture around cycling continues to thrive with local bike shops, trailside cafés, and art-filled pathways welcoming riders of all levels.
The rapid growth of trails, events, and cycling-friendly development in Northwest Arkansas has turned the region into a year-round playground for every type of rider.
Three Things to Know About Cycling in Arkansas
1. Arkansas offers diverse cycling terrain — From smooth gravel roads to rugged mountain singletrack, riders of all levels can find routes that match their skills and sense of adventure.
2. Northwest Arkansas is a national cycling hub — With extensive trail networks, premier events, and strong community support, the region has become one of the country’s most bike-friendly destinations.
3. Bikepacking opportunities abound — Arkansas’s mix of backroads, forests, and public lands makes it ideal for multi-day adventures like the High Country Route, offering solitude, scenery, and challenge.
Coach Anthony James is a USA-Cycling Level 3 coach and a certified NICA and mountain bike skill coach based in Arkansas. He specializes in mountain bike training and skills work.. He can be reached at [email protected].
