8 Family-Friendly Mountain Biking Trails in Northwest Arkansas

Top Bike Trails Near Rustic Ridge RV Park and Cabins

Mountain Bike Trail Level Ratings

Before we embark on some mountain biking trail discoveries, it’s important to know the trail level rating systems as determined by the IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association), which is the system that trails in NWA use:

• Easiest (white circle)
• Easy (green circle)
• More difficult (blue square)
• Very difficult (black diamond)
• Extremely difficult (double black diamond)

Out on the trails, signs will be marked with the above colored shapes as well as the name of the trail. However, it’s always a good idea to download and review the trail maps before heading onto unfamiliar trails in case trail signs have been damaged. You’ll notice that on the maps, trails are marked by the color level, making it easy to plan out a route based on your family’s skill levels. It’s also important to check the trail conditions (you can find links to each trail system’s Facebook pages on the  OORC website or the Oz Trails website) before hitting the trails since soft surface trails are closed when too muddy. Each of the 8 family-friendly mountain biking trails mentioned below include links to trail maps that are downloadable for printing or saving to your phone, or you can download the Trailforks mobile app.

1. City Lake Park, Siloam Springs, AR

~1 minute from Rustic Ridge

An excellent place for beginners to intermediate riders alike, City Lake Park is less than a mile down the road from Rustic Ridge, which means you can bike from the retreat to the trails! The 3.2 miles of various paved and soft trails include an ADA track, a skills course, and a pump track where beginners as well as intermediate riders can practice their mountain biking skills. The best part is that City Lake area is also popular for hiking, bird watching, fishing, frisbee golf, and paddling on the water. So if some of the family wants to bike and others want to take advantage of the other activities, it’s the perfect place to split up and then come back together for a meal back at your RV or cabin at Rustic Ridge, or even to head 5 minutes down the road to eat at one of the unique eateries in downtown Siloam Springs.

2. Sager Creek at JBU, Siloam Springs, AR

~12 minute drive from Rustic Ridge

Right in the heart of the city of Siloam Springs is the Sager Creek Mountain Bike Trail, which starts on the campus of John Brown University. This 5 mile soft surface trail includes several levels with the main entrance located on W. Valley Drive on the north side of the campus near the JBU tennis courts. The South Loop is a Blue1.8 mile trail and includes several banks and quick jumps. The North Loop is a Green 3.3 mile trail, and the Strider is a 1.1 mile trail prioritized for children learning to mountain bike. The Connector is a .8 mile trail that connects all of the trails together, including the Dogwood Springs and JBU Cross Country trails, which are both dedicated to walkers/runners.

3. WOKA trails, Siloam Springs, AR

~18 min drive from our RV park

As of publication of this article in April 2024, the 4.5 miles of WOKA trails are still expanding. These soft surface trails run along the 30-acre WOKA white water park on the border of Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Watts, Oklahoma. Currently, these trails include Blue as well as some paved trails. Proposed trails include more paved and soft surface trails of various levels. The high beginner (Green/Blue) Lake Francis trail runs from the whitewater park through the breathtaking woods to Raines Rd in Siloam Springs; it's a perfect ride for families who have some experience with off-road biking trails. Cool off after your bike ride by renting some water craft to use in the WOKA Whitewater park.

4. The Railyard and Lake Atalanta, Roger, AR

~54 min drive from Rustic Ridge RV park

As one of the most beautiful parks in the region, Lake Atalanta is well-worth the longer drive from our RV park. The young ones will want to stop at the unique playground with a treehouse built into the side of the mountain, and the whole family will enjoy the views of the lake from the Green and Blue mountain biking trails. The Black trail is short but with incredible drops for the advanced cyclists in your family. And all levels will find the Railyard bike park to be highly entertaining with boardwalks leading through old box cars, a design that was inspired by its close proximity to the local train yard.

5. Runway Bike Park and Fitzgerald Mountain, Springdale, AR

~48 minutes from our RV park and cabins

As a 2.75 mile skills course, Runway Bike Park located at The Jones Center is one of the largest asphalt pump tracks in North America. Beginners will enjoy the bike playground, and advanced riders will enjoy practicing their skills on the large pump track. Just be sure to remember your helmets, as they are required. If the family tires of the bike park, just a couple miles away is Fitzgerald Mountain with a wide variety of trails, from a beginner’s flow trail to an expert trail that includes narrow drops and jumps sure to get the heart racing.

6. Centennial Park, Fayetteville, AR

~44 min drive from our retreat

With 12 miles of trails of various levels in what feels like an enchanted forest, Centennial Park is a must for families. The Green Learner’s Permit is the perfect trail for those just starting out in mountain biking, and the Blue Junk Drawer has rocky sections and even a jump made from an old abandoned pickup truck. For members of the family who are more experienced, they’ll enjoy hearing that some of the biggest jumps in the area are at Centennial Park.

7. Slaughter Pen, Bentonville, AR

~44 minutes from Rustic Ridge

As one of the more urban mountain bike trails in the area, Slaughter Pen provides plenty of entertainment along the way. This 40-acre trail system has trailways that wind through the outdoor art at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, connect to the Bentonville Bike Playground, and criss-cross the Razorback Greenway, a paved trail that cuts through the heart of Bentonville. The 10 Green trails will keep beginners very busy, but intermediate cyclers will be happy to find an even larger number of Blue and Black trails.

8. Little Sugar, Bella Vista, AR

~45 minutes from our RV park and cabins

The Little Sugar trail system takes cyclists through 40 miles of scenic trails underneath bluffs and even to a waterfall at Tanyard Creek. Beginners, especially little ones, will do best remaining on the easier trails, such as Tweety Bird Loop, a 2 mile soft surface trail with low elevation change. Intermediate riders might enjoy trails that have more elevation climbs than other trail systems in Northwest Arkansas. Unlike the nearby Back 40 trails, Little Sugar is an all-weather system, so even if your vacation includes unexpected rainfall, you can still enjoy some mountain biking thanks to this versatile trail system.

While Northwest Arkansas has many more trails than the ones listed above, these 8 trail systems include the most variety and fun for all skill levels, making them the perfect mountain biking trails for families. After a long, tiring day riding in the woods, Rustic Ridge provides the perfect, quiet haven for relaxing. And if the little ones still need to run off energy, our on-site playground is the perfect place to do so. If you need more ideas for family-friendly activities in Northwest Arkansas, be sure to check out our top 10 family-friendly activities we highly recommend. Just be sure to book your reservation at Rustic Ridge ahead of time! Space fills up quickly during mountain biking season, so check out our availability today!