Biking in Arkansas
A great way to enjoy the scenery of Arkansas is via pedal power. Whether you want to spend the day cycling a scenic back road in the Ozarks, riding single-track in the Ouachitas, or testing your mettle in a stage race, there is a route for you here. The state hosts terrain and events for all skill levels and our mild climate allows for riding year-round.
In the midst of our 52 state parks, three National Forests, and many city parks are thousands of miles of supreme mountain biking trails. The state has plenty of terrain for riders to test their gears on, be it a single-track path in the Ouachitas, or a long winding IMBA Epic route. Only 40 trails across the nation currently hold the ‘Epic” status from the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA). We are home to two: the Womble Trail in the Ouachita region and the Syllamo Trails in the Ozark National Forest.
For cyclists, the Arkansas River Trail is great for leisurely family biking and more challenging riders alike. This loop includes a chance to traverse the Big Dam Bridge. The bridge is a landmark in the city and as the world’s largest bridge built specifically for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, currently ties together 17 miles of scenic river trails in Little Rock and North Little Rock. Far- reaching projects include the Mississippi River Trail that highlights routes in the Delta as part of a 3,000- mile network of bicycle-friendly roads that connect 10 states.
If you are interested in road racing, be sure to keep the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville in your sightline. It takes place every May as part of the National Race Calendar (NRC), the pro and elite amateur cycling tour of USA Cycling. The state is also home base to the North American headquarters for ORBEA.
Ready to hit the road? A round up of destinations (for both mountain bikers and cyclists) are available on this site. This is just a taste of the variety of routes for riders to explore. Whether you are planning an on-or off road excursion, there’s a trail in the state for a memorable biking experience and opportunity to enjoy the open road (and trail).