Mountain Biking Adventures in the Ozark Mountains
While Mountain Bike Trails may be springing up everywhere, Destination Mountain Bike Trails paired with a Lively Ozark Mountain Town rise to a special class of awesome.
Eureka Springs Downhill at Lake Leatherwood
Plan a Mountain Bike Outing
Keep in mind that you can’t ride all day, so an evening filled with great food, live music and craft beer will make a fun trip; memorable. This is where the Ozark Mountain Town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas rises to the top. Working hard to stay small in the burgeoning area of Northwest Arkansas, this unique mountain town is quickly adding sought after activities for today’s traveler while passionately protecting what makes it unique. A small dot in the forest, Eureka sits between three lakes and two rivers with a nationally recognized Historic District splattered with independent restaurants, hotels and retail outlets.
A perfect place for annual get together of friends.
Rather than a couples get-a-way or expensive ski trip make it a Mountain Biking adventure. With better weather and lower costs, Arkansas’ location in the center of the US is a perfect place to bring back your group of friends whose careers may have strewn them across the country. A easy drive from most locations in the Midwest, in-expensive direct flights into Branson (just 38 miles north) and Northwest Arkansas (XNA) featuring flights from all over the US including direct from CH, NY, LA, ATL and more, Eureka Springs is easily accessible.
Eureka Springs – The Mountain Biking is Great Here
Headlined by the Eureka Springs Downhill located in Lake Leatherwood Park; bikers can enjoy professionally designed trails that span all riding levels. The Downhill, Built by Rock Solid Construction is a seven (7) run course with three (3) black, two (2) blue, one (1) green and one(1) Expert Double Black. All runs are at least one mile in length and Lake Leatherwood City Park runs a shuttle to bring you back to the top. The Eureka Springs Downhill is widely recognized the best in the OzTrails system.
Lake Leatherwood Mountain Bike
Other bike trails in the Eureka area include:
Lake Leatherwood has ten additional trails built much in part by Progressive Trail design
The Great Passion Play has 18 acres of trails, designed by Tony Boone See Map
Black Bass Lake offers a hidden lake and cool WPA Dam in the middle of town -a fun 1mi loop
In-City trails are abundant – Harmon Park Loop travels behind homes, the Crescent and more
More Trail information on Eureka Springs is easily accessible on BikeEurekaSprings.com
Stay longer, Base Camp from Eureka Springs to explore Oz.
Underwritten by avid mountain bikers Tom and Steuart Walton, The OzTrails System has put NorthWest Arkansas on the elite list of National Mountain Bike Destinations. A few of many Oz Rides include:
The Back 40 includes the challenging Slaughter Pen and Blowing Springs rides
The Upper Buffalo is riding in the Buffalo River National Park Region
Hobbs State Park is smooth riding through thick patches of pine and heavy woods
Coler Mountain Bike Park with its feature Double Black “Hammer”
Bike Rentals and Mountain Bike Guides:
For friends who fly in or others who want to try some upscale equipment, Eureka Springs is serviced by multiple bike shops. Phat Tire from NorthWest Arkansas has an elite line of Trek rentals with hard tail or full suspension. In Eureka Springs, Adventure Mountain Outfitters has a wide variety of rentals. Both Phat Tire and Adventure Mountain offer both shuttle and guide service.
Base Camp – Eureka Springs
After a day of shredding the trails, you can find beer in Eureka Springs. The Coolest town in the Mid-West by far, this hip hamlet was brought back to life by a hippie invasion in the late 70’s and has kept its edge while everything around it has gone modern. Over 100 mom and pop restaurants and shops, historic hotels built between 1884 – 1905 and over 21 bars and dives offering regular live music have a welcoming attitude to riders. Don’t camp; Ride hard, enjoy the vibe and sleep in a soft bed. Then Repeat.
Keep it Affordable
While rates in ski cities may climb from November – March, when the leaves fall in the Ozarks so do room rates. In fact, beginning November 1 guest room rates drop 20% and will continue to shrink until they hit bottom in the winter months of January and February. For riders, this means rates at the historic hotels begin as low as $89/$99 with deals posted online at reserveeureka.com.
Featured Mountain Bike Deals
LODGING: The Basin Park Hotel in Downtown Eureka Springs offers:
“Two Wheels – Best Deals” rate that begins at $89 and includes discounts in the restaurant, free pool in the bar and covered and locked storage for your bikes – Check Rates
DINING: SkyBar Gourmet Pizza on the Harmon Park Loop – 4th Floor Crescent Hotel
“Ride in for Free Wings” – On Weekdays – Riders can order a gourmet pizza and a couple of beers and ask for a free order of wings – Ask your server for the “singletrack special”
For More Information:
Mountain bikers are encouraged to visit BikeEurekaSprings.com for further trail information and take advantage of the Bike Friendly hotels of the Crescent Hotel (www.crescenthotel.com) or Basin Park Hotel (www.Basinpark.com)