Mountain biking Bentonville: the trail system, explained
Bentonville became a mountain biking town by accident — the Waltons funded trails as a civic project, the cycling community organized, the town leaned in. By 2026, it’s one of the best trail networks in the country for a town its size.
Here’s how to actually ride it.
The four trail systems
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve
Location: south of Bentonville, ~10 min from the square. Vibe: the original. Varied terrain. Multiple loops for different skill levels. Best for: intermediate to advanced riders; the elevation change is real. What’s special: the only dedicated bike preserve with overnight cabins (Coler Cabin), the Hub coffee shop on site, and a network that grows every year.
Coler is where it started. The trails range from mellow green loops to expert-only black diamond tech. The preserve hosts the annual OZ Trails Off-Road race. If you ride Bentonville once, ride Coler.
Slaughter Pen
Location: right off the Bentonville square, accessible via trail from downtown. Vibe: tight, technical, urban access. Best for: intermediate to advanced; some advanced beginner-friendly loops. What’s special: night riding (sections are lit), trail connectivity from downtown, the post-ride loop into town for food/beer.
Slaughter Pen is the trail you ride on a work lunch break. It’s right there. The technical sections will humble confident riders; the flow trails will delight everyone else.
Blowing Springs (Bella Vista)
Location: Bella Vista, ~25 min north of Bentonville square. Vibe: family-friendly, scenic, lake views. Best for: beginners, intermediate riders, families with kids. What’s special: easier terrain, beautiful spring-fed creek sections, less elevation change, good for kids learning to ride.
If you’re new to mountain biking or introducing a kid, start here. The trails are more forgiving, the scenery is gorgeous, and you won’t feel out of your depth.
Back 40 (Rogers)
Location: west of Rogers, ~20 min from Bentonville. Vibe: flow trails, longer rides, scenic. Best for: intermediate to advanced; anyone who wants a longer ride. What’s special: longer loops (the full Back 40 is ~25 miles), flow-trail focused, less crowded than Slaughter Pen.
The Back 40 is the “go ride for a half-day” option. Less technical than Coler’s hardest lines, more sustained than Slaughter Pen’s tight sections.
Which trail fits which rider
- Complete beginner: Blowing Springs easy loops. Build skills. Add Slaughter Pen’s flat sections.
- Confident beginner: Slaughter Pen flow trails + Coler green/blue loops.
- Intermediate: full Slaughter Pen + Coler intermediate trails + Back 40.
- Advanced: Coler’s harder loops + Slaughter Pen’s tech sections.
- Expert: Coler’s The All + Slaughter Pen at night + race the OZ Trails event if you’re feeling spicy.
The Bike Club (the bike shop scene)
Bentonville’s bike shops are unusually good. They function as community hubs, not just retailers. Worth knowing:
- Phat Tire — the OG. Multiple locations. Sells, rents, services. The shop that built the scene.
- Pedaler’s Pub — bike shop + bar/restaurant hybrid. Yes, really. The food is solid, the bike selection is curated, the post-ride beer is the move.
- Wattbike — power meter specialist, training-focused, good for serious riders.
- The Bike Club — newer community-focused shop, group rides, demo events.
- Mojo Cycling — another solid option, strong on mountain bike service.
Each shop runs group rides. The Tuesday night ride at Phat Tire is a rite of passage. The Wednesday morning women’s ride has become a thing. Show up, sign a waiver, ride.
Trail etiquette
- Yield to uphill traffic. If someone’s climbing, step aside on a descent.
- Announce yourself. “On your left” before passing.
- Don’t block the trail. Pull fully off when stopped.
- Pack out what you pack in. Trail ambassadors will notice.
- Don’t ride muddy trails. Footprints + bike ruts in wet soil = erosion damage. If you leave a rut, the trail closes.
- Helmets aren’t legally required but the locals wear them. The locals are right.
- E-bikes are welcome on most trails (Class 1, pedal-assist only on most sections). Verify per-trail before you ride.
When to ride
Best months: March-May, September-November. Moderate temps, dry trails.
Summer: rideable but hot. Start at 6am, be off by 11am, or ride after 6pm. Bring more water than you think.
Winter: mild (40s-50s most days) but trails get muddy. Check trail status on the OZ Trails website before riding. If you leave a rut, the trail closes for everyone. Be patient.
Avoid after major rain: even one day after a heavy rain is too soon for most trails. Wait 24-48 hours.
Beyond the bike
Pump tracks: Bentonville has multiple pump tracks (free, ride anytime). Great for kids and skill-building.
Skills parks: Slaughter Pen has a skills section. Coler has features. Worth visiting even if you don’t do a full ride.
Bike-friendly lodging: many Bentonville hotels cater to riders (bike wash stations, secure storage). Crystal Bridges / 21c is the upscale option; various Airbnb/Hyatt options cater specifically.
Annual events: OZ Trails Off-Road (October), various NICA races, women’s cycling events, group rides year-round.
Bottom line
Bentonville’s trail system is genuinely world-class for a town of 55,000. The four trail systems cover beginners through experts. The bike shop scene supports the community. The civic investment keeps expanding the network.
If you bike, move here (or visit). If you don’t bike but you’re considering moving here, give it a try. The trail system is one of NWA’s strongest civic assets — use it.