USA Cycling’s Mountain Biking National Team. Photo courtesy of USA Cycling.
When most people picture world-class mountain biking, they may think of the rugged Alps, the red rock of Sedona, or Utah’s slickrock trails. Few would guess that the official Mountain Bike Capital of the World lies in the heart of Middle America, in the rolling hills of the Ozarks.
The town of Bentonville in the northwest corner of Arkansas has transformed itself from a quiet corporate hometown into a cycling paradise and cultural hub. What was once solely known as Walmart’s headquarters is now a vibrant destination for creatives, outdoor enthusiasts, and serious mountain biking devotees from around the world. The town center is like a charming storybook meets hipster heaven–families out for an evening stroll, children eating ice cream cones, the faint sounds of banjos and fiddles playing in the square, trendy restaurants and coffee shops on every corner, and of course, the ding of a bicycle bell.
Bentonville’s cycling revolution began in the late 2000s with brothers Tom and Steuart Walton, grandsons of Walmart founder Sam Walton. The two had a vision of building bike trails that would showcase Arkansas’ apt designation as “The Natural State” while helping attract talent for Walmart.
Today, the town boasts about 100 miles of trails within its city limits. Bike-friendly amenities and attractions include hotel bike lockers, restaurant bike racks, and even access for cyclists at the museum. Around Northwest Arkansas there are more than 500 miles of trails, all free and accessible year-round, a testament to the Walton Family’s influence on the state.
In Bentonville bike trails are accessible for all levels. Photo courtesy of Visit Bentonville.
Life Atop Two Wheels
Several trails are accessible from the town center, allowing riders to start directly from the quaint Bentonville Square. For riders who want to hit the dirt on singletrack trails, the All-American Trail is an easy two-mile-long ride that starts downtown and leads into the 40-mile-long Slaughter Pen network, offering options ranging from beginner routes to advanced technical sections with rock features and flow lines. Just over a mile from downtown, the popular Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, which spans about 17 miles, can be reached via trail connectors and includes downhill runs, wooden features, and even a cool coffee shop, but more on that later.
Paved routes are equally connected to the heart of the city for those who are more inclined to an urban riding experience. The 40-mile-long Razorback Regional Greenway runs through downtown, linking Bentonville to Bella Vista and the lively college town of Fayetteville, providing easy access to parks, neighborhoods, eateries, and, of course, football games to root on the University of Arkansas’ Razorback Hogs. Additional local connectors, such as the two-mile-long Town Branch Trail, make it possible to navigate between trail systems and destinations entirely on paved paths.
With so many options available, mountain biking in Bentonville has become something that everyone can access regardless of skill level or background. All you need is a bike.
Go for a ride or a stroll on The Razorback Greenway, a 40-mile paved trail that is accessible to all.
“Our main goal is to continue bringing more women into the sport,” says Sarah Drew, founder of the nonprofit Women of Oz. “We want to help women come in and feel connected. We bring together women at every skill level, from beginners to experienced riders, creating a community that’s about more than just biking.”
Rich Drew, her husband and mountain bike coach at The Ride Series, highlights the area’s unique appeal: “There’s nowhere in the world with such an extensive trail system which caters to mountain bike riders. The majority of riders are at a skill level where they don’t want to ride mountains but want trails that are easily accessible and allow them to slowly build more confidence.” Drew boasts an audience of 60,000 enthusiastic devotees on YouTube who watch his video how-tos from jumps to whips, most of them filmed in Arkansas.
“Our trails have created a tangible sense of joy in our community,” says Gary Vernon, former senior program officer for the Walton Family Foundation and the founder of Oz Trails, a connected system of more than 550 miles of singletrack trails across Northwest Arkansas. He is scheduled to open a new bike park in 2026 called the OZ Trails Bike Park in nearby Bella Vista. The new park will include more than 20 miles of lift-served gravity trails, a bike shop, dining options, a community space, and a pump track which is a specifically designed cycling circuit that features rollers and turns that allows the rider to gain momentum by using body movements instead of pedaling. Nicknamed the “Wizard of Oz,” Vernon believes that trails are not only great for preserving green space and building community wellness, but they also have a high return on investment. In Bentonville, Vernon approximates a return of about 10x. Real estate value alone has appreciated by about 150% since 2000, a significant part of it thanks to people moving in for the biking trails.
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve was built to handle plenty of two-wheeled traffic. Photo courtesy of Visit Bentonville.
“You’ll get the dollar amounts from your restaurants, hotels and Airbnbs. But people are moving here for the lifestyle, and the businesses will flourish because they have the workforce.”
An Unexpected Economic Driver
Over the past 20 years, Bentonville has tripled its population from around 19,000 to nearly 60,000. What was once a quiet town now bustles with daily activities from farmers’ markets to art openings to concerts.
Bentonville also has world-class cultural attractions, all a breezy pedal away. Riders can follow the Art Trail from downtown to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, or continue on to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Bachman-Wilson House, nestled on the museum grounds. The Razorback Regional Greenway leads directly to The Momentary, a contemporary art space and performance venue, while Compton Gardens offers a scenic link between downtown and the museum district. Cultural stops within the Square itself include the Bentonville History Museum, and the original Walton’s Five and Dime now the Walmart Museum. A dream come true for anyone who has traffic fatigue from life in the big city.
New construction next to old homes tells the story of an economic boom in the past two decades.
“We built 350 miles of trails in just seven years,” explains Erin Rushing, trail developer and founder of OZTB Consulting, known for developing sustainable trail systems that connect communities and support outdoor recreation. The economic impact of that development has resulted in the explosion of growth. He often consults with other municipalities from around the country that want to do what Bentonville has done.
The biking lifestyle has brought many businesses to Bentonville. Their ties with Walmart bring them in, but the outdoor ethos encourages them to stay. Fortune 500 companies like Clorox, General Mills, and Procter & Gamble all have locations in Bentonville, while headquarters like JB Hunt and Tyson Foods have seen their businesses grow in nearby areas.
In recent years, startup companies like Arvest Bank and Simmons Foods have taken root. Emerging companies like Movista, SupplyPike, and Field Agent focus on technology and retail data services. Local consumer brands such as Bike Rack Brewing Co. and Phat Tire Bike Shop add to the mix. The balance of national corporations, established private firms, and homegrown ventures brings a creative entrepreneurial energy to the region.
The city’s dedication to its biking community can be seen even in its public art.
Onyx Coffee Lab, ranked No. 2 in the world’s best coffee shops, has put Bentonville on the map with its meticulously sourced beans and chic spaces. Airship Coffee has planted roots throughout the city as well, including a hidden gem tucked deep in the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, which can only be reached on foot or by bike, making it a ritual stop for trail riders.
Bentonville’s downtown and surrounding neighborhoods are filled with chef-driven restaurants, small-batch bakeries, craft breweries, and independent shops that feel more like Portland or Austin than a small town in Arkansas. Boutiques are curating goods from local makers alongside globally sourced design pieces, while co-working spaces like the Ledger buzz with entrepreneurs and remote workers who have traded urban commutes for a bike ride to the office. Local favorites like Ozark Mountain Bagels, Crepes Paulette, and Oven & Tap pizza draw crowds that spill onto the sidewalks offering big city flavor with a laid-back small town vibe.
Bentonville town square on a summer evening.
The International Stage
“If you’re visiting Bentonville for the first time, drink a lot of coffee and go to a different coffee shop every day,” says Alex Pasqualina, Director of Mountain Bike at USA Cycling and a fellow coffee enthusiast.
USA Cycling, the national governing body for competitive cycling, began bringing its mountain bike programs to Bentonville in late 2020 and early 2021, drawn initially by the scale and quality of the local trail network. The organization now bases its mountain bike operations in Bentonville for key training camps throughout the year. Athletes benefit from the region’s variety of trails as well as its consistent upkeep and year-round rideability. According to Pasqualina, the continual investment in infrastructure, such as the upcoming lift-served bike park, makes the region “an ideal place for us to train athletes.”
The team has also found its footing in the community. Mountain biking enjoys broad local support here, which means athletes experience a kind of “fandom” not common for the sport. That enthusiasm, Pasqualina notes, creates a sense of representing a home crowd when riders compete abroad, whether at European World Cups or the Olympics.
Artwork along the trail. Photo courtesy of Visit Bentonville.
The town’s resources such as performance chefs, bike-fit specialists, and recovery facilities, is a further draw for supporting USA Cycling’s high-level training. By hosting multiple camps each year for juniors, under-23 riders, and elite athletes, USA Cycling uses Bentonville as a training ground, preparing riders to advance through the ranks.
“I wasn’t expecting people in Scotland to recognize it,” Pasqualina notes about Bentonville. It is not just a little town in Arkansas, but one that has gained recognition in the international cycling community.
Bigger Than Walmart
Cities across the country are now looking to Bentonville’s bike infrastructure as a model for their own trail systems. Municipal leaders regularly visit Northwest Arkansas to ride the trails, meet with planners, and see how bike infrastructure is integrated into the street network. “They want to understand how we’ve made it part of everyday life here,” Vernon explained, adding that Bentonville’s combination of public and private investment, year-round maintenance, and community engagement is shaping how other cities approach their own projects.
Bluegrass musicians from all over Arkansas get together every Thursday for “Pickin On The Square.”
“We’re not just the home of Walmart anymore,” says Kalene Griffin, Executive Director of Visit Bentonville. “We’ve become a leisure destination with cycling, arts, music, and culinary experiences. Our goal is to create unique experiences that allow people to find their passion here.”
The culinary scene has exploded with 47 new food establishments opening last year and two James Beard Award finalists calling the city home. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate proximity to 52 state parks, the Buffalo River, and numerous recreational opportunities. As Griffith notes, “Tourism is the gateway to economic development. Our job is to make every visitor feel special and part of the community.”
Worth The Visit
Bentonville’s appeal stretches well beyond the trails. The city has cultivated a mix of art, history, food, and green space. For those planning a trip, here are some of the highlights that make Bentonville worth the visit:
The Walmart Museum serves up old-fashioned ice cream sodas along with a fascinating history of its founder, Sam Walton.
The Walmart Museum – Located on the downtown Square in Sam Walton’s original five-and-dime, the museum tells the story of Walmart’s beginnings and global growth. The museum also includes The Spark Cafe, a retro styled soda fountain “where Sam Walton’s love of ice cream lives on.”
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art – A world-class collection of American art set in striking architecture, accessible directly by bike via the Art Trail.
The Momentary – A contemporary art space and performance venue in a converted factory, hosting rotating exhibits and live music.
Slaughter Pen Trails – The popular trail system just off downtown, offering a mix of beginner-friendly and technical mountain biking routes.
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve – Purpose-built bike park with downhill lines, wooden features, and a trailside Airship Coffee shop.
Razorback Regional Greenway – A 40-mile paved trail connecting Bentonville to neighboring towns like Rogers and Fayetteville.
Compton Gardens – Public garden and conference center that doubles as a scenic connection between downtown and Crystal Bridges.
Bentonville Farmers Market – Lively seasonal Saturday market on the Square with local produce, crafts, and live music.
Native Skies Gallery – Curated collection of Native American fine art, pottery, textiles, and jewelry that honors Indigenous artistry.
Bentonville History Museum – Small museum near the Square with exhibits on the city’s past such as its tradition of homesteads, a bank robber named Henry Starr, and finding Native American artifacts “by the baskets full.”
Local Coffee Shops – Onyx Coffee Lab and Airship Coffee both offer high-quality coffee in design-forward spaces, integral to Bentonville’s creative vibe.
For mountain bikers, art enthusiasts, or culinary explorers alike, Bentonville offers an unexpected and immersive experience in the heart of Arkansas.
Jian Huang received the prestigious PEN America Emerging Voice award in 2016. She splits her time between Los Angeles and her home in Arkansas. Her previous stories include a look at the Benedictine Monks of Subiaco, Arkansas, Asian American’s influence in Orange County, and a museum of unexpected Hollywood relics in Van Nuys, California