So you’re planning a summer trip to the "mountain biking capital of the world"? Come on down, we can’t wait to welcome you to our wonderful city and trails!
Here’s your Summer Ride Guide for Bentonville:
- Get the inside scoop
- Ride with others
- Where to ride
- Local snacks and drinks
- Stay hydrated
- Sunburn and bug-free
Get the inside scoop
We have several great resources to help make your visit the best. Here are a few:
- Check the trail status before you go. Bookmark the Flowfeed app on your phone for easy access. Our favorite thing about this web-based app in addition to showing real-time trail conditions is that it catalogs every feature and elevation of the trails.
- Ride like a local with the TrailPilot app! TrailPilot's unique audio interface rides with you, guiding you through the turns and features on the best routes in the region.
- Take advantage of our free guided ride of Slaughter Pen, every Saturday this summer in partnership with Bike School Bentonville. Sign up here, and be sure to check out Bike School Bentonville’s summer camps.
Ride with others
Interested in riding with others IRL? There are so many wonderful group ride opportunities at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. Join in on a beginner or advanced group ride at Coler Tuesday nights at 6 pm. Click here to discover other group rides in town.
Where to ride
Bentonville’s trails are carved into the hills and valleys of our beautiful Ozark forest, so it makes it easier to ride on trails with canopy coverage for those extra-hot summer days. Here are some options to help you get started:
- Slaughter Pen includes shady tree coverage on higher trails like Razorback Ridge, Medusa, and Armadillo.
- Coler Mountain Bike Preserve features several shady spots and spring-fed creeks.
- Park Springs Park is tucked in a valley with a spring-fed creek—a great spot to pause and cool down.
- The Bentonville to Bella Vista connector trail has nice tree coverage, with an added bonus of a little creek crossing. Double bonus: The Bend, a trailside patio pub, is just off the trail!
Local snacks and drinks
Temperatures peak at around 3 pm, and trust us—that’s the best time to take a break at one of our delicious breweries or cool off with a walk through the art galleries at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary. Check out a list of some of our recommended bike-friendly places to grab a drink and a bite below:
Stay hydrated!
Always be sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate while you're rockin' and rollin' on the trails this summer. Depending on your route, the Trailforks website provides information on where you can take your next water break.
Sunburn and bug-free
Last but not least, you’ll want to protect yourself from sunburns and insects with an adequate application of sunscreen and tick repellent. A pair of lightly tinted cycling glasses will also help manage the light transitions as you go in and out of the tree canopy and protect your peepers from flying insects.
