Three great places to ride your mountain bike in NWA this summer

Three great places to ride your mountain bike in NWA this summer

Summer in Arkansas means a lot of things, from great home-grown produce at the Farmer’s Market to summer road trips with the family. If you’re a person who loves living life on two wheels, though, one of the things Summer in Arkansas means is a great opportunity to get your bicycle out of the garage, strap it to the back of your Chevy, and hit some of the incredible bike trails we have right here in Northwest Arkansas! We’re blessed with bike trails here in NWA, with over 200 miles of mountain bike trails and more than 130 miles of paved bike trails in Benton and Washington Counties! That’s a lot of pedaling!

Seen below, check out three of our favorite spots to get out to when the mood to ride a people-powered machine strikes us! Need a great Chevy truck or 4×4 SUV to get you and your bike out to the trails? Then stop in and see us at McLarty Daniel Chevrolet of Springdale, or check out our full selection of bike-haulin’ Chevys at our website right now.

The Back 40 Loop

Near Bella Vista

Opened in October 2016, the Back 40 Loop near Bella Vista takes riders for a 21.4 mile joyride through rugged terrain that includes rock bluffs, views of lakes and meadows, bridge crossings and more, with an average 3 percent grade and a maximum grade of 15 percent. Along the way, you’ll see both deciduous and pine forests and various animals that call the Ozarks home. For extra thrills if you’re an advanced rider, be sure to try The Ledges trail, which is a 2.8-mile alternate line that will challenge the skills of even the most experienced mountain biker. The trail is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

The Railyard Bike Park

299 East Cherry Street, Rogers

Whether you’re into mountain bikes or BMX-style bikes, there’s something for everyone at The Railyard Bike Park in Bentonville. So named because of its proximity to the Arkansas-Missouri Railroad yard, the park opened in November 2015 and there’s nothing like it in the region! In addition to dirt, concrete and wooden jumps that will challenge riders of all skill levels, the park is famous for a full-scale rail car set on railroad tracks that bikers can ride through or use for tricks. The park, which features a picnic pavilion, a bike wash, dog park, observation decks and more, is 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is even equipped with floodlights so you can keep the fun rolling late into the night.

Slaughter Pen Trail Bike Park

Bentonville

Another spectacular trail complex with a little something for every rider, from Beginner to Advanced, Slaughter Pen Trails in Bentonville in Bentonville is a true star of the Northwest Arkansas biking universe, featuring over 20 miles of single track that rolls though both deep wilderness and urban areas, with some parts of the trail passing through the grounds of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Along the way, you’ll encounter log rides, drops, jumps and a spectacular free-ride area with bermed turns. New to mountain biking? Then try Slaughter Pen’s beginner trails, including the All-American and Seed Tick Shuffle. Ready to truly challenge your advanced mountain biking skills? Then test your mettle with the Medusa or Scott’s Alley. To get there, find the parking lot at 2400 N. Walton Boulevard.

See? There’s plenty of places in NWA to get some wind in your hair this summer on your mountain bike, and this is just the tip of the iceberg of what our region has to offer two-wheelers. So get out there! And if you need a tough Chevy truck, car or SUV to help you find your way, stop in and see us at McLarty Daniel Chevy of Springdale, or check out our full selection online right now.