So, what’s a Howler? Legend says it’s a mysterious creature that roams the Ozarks in the forested hills of Missouri. The Howler has a signature, high-pitched howl that has been heard many moons ago and apparently still today. We discovered that the legend lives no matter if you were an early settler in the mid-1800s or a mountain biker in the 2020s. The Howler is Howler Bike Park’s namesake and mascot that drives the adventurous spirit that lives on in the heart of the mid-south’s newest and most badass shuttle-served bike park. I got to experience this legend firsthand with plenty of my own hoots and howls. When you point the wheels downhill at Howler, maybe on Hippie Cowboy, I promise you’ll let loose on a hoot, a howl, and a whoop as you shred down the trails, rip over rocky ledges, and fly over the signature wooden features.
Get your howl on and add Howler Bike Park to your MTB destinations for 2025. It’s a family affair at its core, with Jen, John, and Max taking turns being the director of fun. Our helmets are off to homegrown hospitality and dedication to building a super sweet playground for bikers of all levels. The family-friendly vibe is palpable the moment you check in, rent a bike, or order a burger at the Growl Grill. The shuttle service is next level, easy to load, and has no long lines. So, you can skip the pedal uphill and focus on going down, down, down, again, and again. There’s a great mix of terrain at this resort-style park and just the right amount of Ozark rock and elevation to ramp up the level of howls.
Location (Walnut Shade, MO)
Howler Bike Park is located just 10 minutes north of Branson, Missouri, which is a unique mix of Ozark natural beauty paired with the bright lights of a touristy mega entertainment district. It’s the Nashville of the mid-South. Some might opt to get tickets to an evening show like the Dolly Parton Stampede or a comedy show while in town. Plenty of glitzy dinner show options exist, but we preferred the low-key scene at Basecamp nestled in Howler’s woodsy outdoor patio. It’s a year-round destination; just bring a few layers if you visit in December like we did. There’s no such thing as bad weather; it’s just lousy gear, as we say in Michigan. It topped out in the low 50s for our two days at the park, so we sought warmth and conversation with pedal pals around the fire pit.
Howler Trails & Shuttle Service
There’s no judgment here at Howler. You’re riding, so that means you’re rad! I rode up the shuttle with kids, families, newbies, and some rad Redbull tricksters. It takes all kinds on two wheels, and you’ll find a melty Missourian mix here. I won’t apologize for starting on a greenie, Stroller Coaster, a non-intimidating rollicking downhill, with no gotchas and just an easy send down a slight grade. I worked into the blues for a rock-n-roll down Hippie Cowboy on the next run. Show some peace fingers, and yup, tip your cowboy hat to some sweet berms, rocky sections, and some jumpy stuff. I hit it again because it was so much fun, especially since the shuttle ride was not more than 10 minutes long. Feeling frisky? Next, get some Swayze Train and test the suspension on your Transition rental bike.
More Trails on the Way! There are three peaks at Howler (currently 12 downhill trails), and many more are planned with ongoing expansion plans. For a mid-afternoon exploration break, I leaned my bike on a sapling and threw my Nikon DSLR over my shoulder. Spying the impressive hand-built features on Mustard Tiger and Taco Cat (A & B), I realized I’d be better off snapping and learning vs. becoming a tossed salad into the weeds. Like any adventure sport, it’s essential to ride safely to your ability. I pointed my lens at Josh, Delle, and new pals as they rode the arrow drop and shark fin wall to a huge gap jump. The sheer size of the features is impressive, masterpieces of wood and stone, sculpted for optimal air and landing experiences.
Hideout Apartment and Glamping
Howler is at its best when you can stay and play. There are hot showers, glamping options, and a sweet apartment to reserve just steps from Basecamp. The hideout apartment is a cozy and comfortable oasis for pre-and post-ride activities, making it the perfect bike-in and bike-out residence. After a day of riding, I savored the couch, fuzzy blankets at night, and pillow-top mattress. Also, having a kitchen, private bathroom, and washer/dryer certainly adds to the creature comfort rating.
Growl Grill
No joke, our best meal was at the Growl Grill and not in the fancy downtown Branson area. The Howler Burger was a meaty, juicy, bacony, and cheesy delight that paired exceptionally well with a pile of seasoned and salty fries. The triple threat for me is the icing on the bike park cake: bikes, burgers, and a beer. We also met all sorts of new friends sitting around the fire from near and far places like Minnesota, for example. Of note, we left Michigan in a snowstorm and were thrilled to ditch the cold and ice.
Howler Bike Park Basecamp
Basecamp is the hub at Howler, and when you’re not riding, hang out here because they have really thought of everything. Riding bikes takes energy, so in my case, a specialty latte got me fired up for another run. If that’s not enough caffeine, I’d suggest a Red Bull smoothie, especially if you plan on hitting the insane features on Wizard. And, of course, the Growl Grill serves burgers, chili, and sandwiches…a way better option than protein bars. Basecamp is also where you can rent a bike, get a bike serviced, or shop for some logo gear. The skills area is tucked in at Basecamp, along with a sessionable jump line, so you can tune up your legs for the longer shuttle-served downhills. Keep you and your two-wheeled creature clean at the bike wash station. Even if you are not an overnight guest, shower up at the heated bathhouse facility.
Ready to let loose on some howls? Bonus, it’s only an hour and a half drive to/from the mountain bike mecca of Bentonville or Bella Vista. The best bet is to plan a combo road trip with a Howler bookend and some NWA (Northwest Arkansas) riding.
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