Northwest Arkansas has been described as Disneyland for mountain bikers. In 2016, OZ Trails was created in order to “showcase the development of multi-purpose trails in Northwest Arkansas” as well as focusing “on growing the local rider base and providing information to both locals and travelers.” Their devotion to this mission has had a significant impact on Northwest Arkansas’ biking culture and the development of the surrounding trail system.
This has also led to many great bike shops located near the trails. Lewis & Clark Outfitters, located right off the Lake Fayetteville trail head, is one of our favorite bike shops in Fayetteville, as well as Phat Tire Bike Shop, which is located off the Greenway in Fayetteville, as well as on the Bentonville Square. These bike shops are extremely helpful in fixing all of your bike problems as well as recommending their favorite trail routes and places to stop along the trails.
Due to Covid-19, I’ve had to get creative with how I get my kids to spend time outside. Because of this we started to bike as a family, exploring the variety of trails Northwest Arkansas has to offer. Here are some of my family’s favorite biking trails:
The Razorback Regional Greenway:
The Razorback Regional Greenway spans a majority of Northwest Arkansas – more specifically 36 miles – and connects 19 distinct trails. This primarily off-road trail connects urban and suburban parts of NWA, linking together many popular community centers, such as Crystal Bridges and the University of Arkansas. The Greenway’s ease of access is one of the factors that makes this trail extremely appealing towards every level of biker.
The Slaughter Pen Trail is located in Bentonville and is 40+ miles of a single track that follows alongside the Razorback Regional Green way and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. This track includes many trails that range in difficulty from beginners – the All-American and Seed Tick Shuffle trails – to expert – the Scott Allen Alley and Medusa trails. This trail also includes one of the best views of Crystal Bridges Museum’s architecture and large-scale outdoor artwork.
Lake Fayetteville is located right in our backyard, making it one of my family’s favorite and most used trail systems. Lake Fayetteville is a great destination for beginner mountain bikers as well as being a trailhead for the Razorback Regional Greenway. This trial system offers many opportunities to connect to the Lake Fayetteville Paved Trail in order to mix up your ride. My family loves to take a lunch break at the food trucks located nearby.
Lake Atalanta is located next to the railyard in downtown Rogers and features a beautiful trail that emphasizes the beauty of the Ozark forest. This trail includes fun for an entire family with activities such as playgrounds, walking trails, kayaking, and fishing. One of my favorite parts of this trail is the boardwalk that you can take around the lake, which includes extremely picturesque views.
Hobbs State Park is one of my family’s favorite options for mountain biking if we are looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of Fayetteville. The trail system connects nearly 40 miles of dirt ribbons as well as the new addition of the Monument Trail System. It places an emphasis on downhill trails with beautiful views of Beaver Lake. There are also great photo opportunities in Hobbs State Park due to the huge pine trees and flowering plans that line the trail.
Mount Kessler has some of the most challenging and most scenic mountain biking in the state. The trail is nine miles long and features a single-track loop around Mount Kessler. There is a 1.3-mi trail that connects the Mount Kessler Trailhead to the single loop track.
The mountain bike trails of Northwest Arkansas add to the character and desirability of our community. I feel the trail system has played a part in real estate appreciation and growth. Are you interested in buying, selling, or investing in real estate in Northwest Arkansas? Call me, Jill Bell, at 479.799.3023 to start the conversation. I’d love to be on your team!
