This past weekend I headed up north from Dallas to my favorite weekend getaway destination for mountain biking, Bentonville, AR! It’s getting to the point, however, where you just have to say Northwest Arkansas, because there are so many trails all over the place, with more new trails opening all the time, that Bentonville isn’t the only city worth a visit!

Just 20 minutes to the south in the city of Springdale, a brand new trail system had just opened up at Fitzgerald Mountain. 7 miles are currently open, with another 3 miles to be opened in the fall. As of right now, you park at Bayyari Park to access the trail, but they will be building a new trailhead and parking lot as well, I believe off Dodd Ave.

These trails were so much fun! There are many undulations that can be pumped to gain or maintain speed, or even get some air, as well as bigger jumps, gap jumps (that I skipped!), and so many berms! The rock work is like art, including a couple of rock berms that are unlike anything I’ve ever seen!

Here’s a list of the individual trails, their difficulty rating, and a short description:

1. Butterfield Trail – Blue – 2.4 miles – I’d describe it as a flow trail, with some jumps, berms, and a few rock features.
2. Best Trail Ever – Black – 3.0 miles – The name says it all! This trail is fantastic, with some beautiful rock work, including some technical sections, jumps, berms, and some good speed! It’s a blast!
3. Fitzgerald – Blue – 0.6 miles – A shorter loop, with very little elevation change, and more natural trail.
4. 1857 – Black – 0.1 miles – This is an alternate route off of Fitzgerald for those looking for some technical challenges. Lots of rocks to navigate here. I did not ride this trail, but got a good look at it.
5. Coyote Cave – Black – 0.6 miles – Best ridden from north to south so that it’s mostly downhill, this trail features more fantastic rock work, a small cave, more flowy berms, several jumps, and a big gap jump near the bottom.

Here’s how I’d ride it:
Starting at the trail head at Bayyari Park, go north on Butterfield. The first intersection you’ll come to will be with Coyote Cave. Save it for the way back. Next you’ll reach a split in Butterfield. Go right to take you to the hub of all the other trails (you’ll have to return to ride this section again later in order to cover all trails). You’ll climb up and reach another split, where you should stay right. This will take you to the center hub, where the trail circles around a tree in the middle, and the other trails branch off of this circle.

Go around to Fitzgerald. You’ll have two options, take the one on the left. Shortly after heading down Fitzgerald you’ll have the option of adding 1857 (on your left). Pick back up on Fitzgerald until you come to the entrance to Best Trail Ever on the left. Take it and head right (counter-clockwise). You’ll come back to this intersection and continue on Fitzgerald to the left, taking you back to the central hub.

From the hub, go back down Butterfield, and head right at the intersection. This will take you around the loop, allowing you to enjoy mostly downhill. You’ll meet up with the intersection you were at during the early stages of the ride, and take the same trail (to your left this time) that heads back up to the central hub.

Once you’re back at the hub, you can start your run down Coyote Cave. When that meets back up with Butterfield, head back south to the trailhead.

That route covers all of what is currently open!