Bentonville has earned its reputation as the mountain biking capital of the world. Once you get the opportunity to ride there, it all makes so much sense! Just minutes from downtown, you'll find purpose-built trail systems just minutes apart, flow trails and technical lines for every skill level, a walkable city center packed with great food, and plenty to do off the bike. Spend three days exploring multiple trail systems while you’re in town, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot some of our athletes riding around town.
Day 1: Slaughter Pen and Downtown Bentonville
Kick off your trip at Slaughter Pen, Bentonville's original trail system and still one of its best, sitting just one block from the downtown square. Spend the morning riding Bullet, Catapult, and Expressway, then work in some more technical terrain on Black Limousin and Ozone before rolling through Berm Creek and Master Plan. After you've cooled down, take your pick from a range of restaurants for a well-earned meal. Grab a wood-fired pizza at Pizza Lottie’s, a new favorite, or treat yourself to Conifer for a 100% gluten-free meal. Spend the rest of the night wandering the historic square and sneaking in some F150 ice cream at The Spark Cafe (a spot frequented by Team USA while training in Bentonville)
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Day 2: Coler and Handcut Hollow
Just 2 miles from downtown, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is where Bentonville's trail building really takes center stage. Start the morning with Copperhead Road and Dirt Therapy, two trails that live up to their names, then pick up the pace on Fireline and Here's Johnny before easing into the afternoon on Family Flow. From there, hop across town to Handcut Hollow for round two: Checks in the Mail and Interplanet Janet are two of Alec’s top favorites. Next, go ride The Body Machine and School House Rock, followed by the Traverse Loop. Refuel with tacos at Yeyo’s, or head to Junto for a lavish Japanese dinner.
Day 3: Bella Vista
Save the biggest day for the new Oz Trails Bike Park. Just north of Bentonville, Bella Vista is a mountain biking playground. Lift up, ride down, repeat, and hang out in between. The bike park brings gravity trails, a bike shop, food, and art together around a plaza made for the community to gather. By the time you roll out, you'll have covered more ground than you thought possible in a single day. Toast the trip with a pie from Ozzie’s Ride and Dine, the bike park’s restaurant, or head back into Bentonville for a plate at Archie's or dig into some BBQ at Wright's BBQ.
