There’s a reason Arkansas is called The Natural State. It’s home to 52 state parks and tons of hiking and biking trails. Get an amazing workout and take in the great outdoors when you set out on one of Arkansas’ five International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Epic mountain biking trails. These trails are demanding, so make sure you’re prepared for a serious ride.

Upper Buffalo

Ozark National Forest - 40 miles

Love the forest? Upper Buffalo might be just the ride for you. Venture out into the Ozark Forest, but beware: this trail is pretty out there. Even if you’re experienced, bring a friend to help you navigate this trail, and some snacks, too.

Syllamo

Mountain View - 50 miles

The Syllamo isn’t the longest trail on this list, but it’s still sizable. On your ride through the St. Francis-Ozark National Forest, you’ll find big rocks and river views. This trail may be beautiful, but don’t let that fool you; it can make for a challenging trip.

LOViT

Hot Springs - 40 miles

Ah, a trail that’s closer to civilization. The Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) has it all: it stretches across five mountains and is still close to Hot Springs’ famous spas.

Ouachita National Recreation Trail

Montgomery County - 108 miles

Oh, you thought 108 miles was long? This trail actually stretches for 223 whole miles. It’s the longest in Arkansas. Mountain bikes are only allowed on 108 miles of the trail. If hiking is more your thing, then you can check out the rest of the trail on foot.

Womble Trail

Ouachita National Forest - 37 miles

The Womble Trail provides another opportunity to explore Arkansas’ beautiful mountains. The climbs will be hard, but the views will be worth it. If you ride this trail, you’ll also get some splash time in the creeks you’ll find along it.  

For a more complete list of mountain biking trails in Arkansas, check out this one from our sister publication, Living in Arkansas.