The mark of a truly fun destination is when you keep coming back; we routinely visit Bella Vista, Arkansas, twice a year, with the goal of adding a third extended stay. We road-tripped from West Michigan in early December (about 11 hours) to soak up year-round riding in a much more favorable climate. Snow sports and fat biking are cool for a bit, but give me the dirt, Ozark rocky terrain, and trails for the win. There’s always something new to discover in Bella Vista, e-bikes are encouraged, and you just can’t beat the connectivity to 100’s of miles for all levels of riders. Plus, WOZ (Women of Oz) offers women-specific bike experiences, and the new OZ Bike Park is in the works, with lift-served downhill riding slated to open in summer 2026.
On Your Left (E-bikes in the Land of Oz)
It’s inevitable, you are churning up a long incline (return session to top hub) on an analog bike, legs and lungs bursting, gasping for air. A chipper e-biker rolls past you with a wave, “On your left,” they say as they speed up the hill. Turnabouts are fair play, and I took my turn at Huntley Gravity trails this past trip to say that same cheery line. Armed with a Trek Rail and Josh with a Transition Relay e-bike rental from Phat Tire, we took full advantage of the class 1 battery power. My leg power is no match for e-power, and I was amazed at how many more sessions and miles I could log with an assist.
Phat Tire has several locations, including Bella Vista, off Riordan Road, which is the closest to our Bella Vista stay-n-play. They have a downtown Bentonville shop and a location that is dedicated to stocking all sorts of rental bikes. It was handy to have them close by when Josh slashed his tire sidewall on a very sharp rock hidden under the leaves. The mechanics made the repair and got him rolling again, same day.
During our stay, I also took advantage of my e-bike to keep up with a WOZ (Women of OZ) group of ladies on a social ride that met in Blowing Springs. My flatlander legs were no match for Leah, Agnes, and Danna without the e-bike to propel me up the continuous rolling and punchy terrain. With four trail speeds, from eco to trail or even turbo, I found my comfort zone and got used to the pedal assist style of biking. Keeping Agnes in view, I followed the group around Blowing Springs to the Cooper Connector to All American and Area 51 before returning down a fun downhill on Rabbit Hole.
Women of Oz Rides
The bike culture and community in Bella Vista and the surrounding area are next level. Looking for women-specific groups, the Women of Oz will pull you in for Flagship rides held once a month, weekly social rides, and special events. In a sport that still leans heavily to dudes, it sure doesn’t seem like it here, on this slice of earth.
I joined the Dec. 6th Flagship ride (Blue Group 1) that met in downtown Bentonville. Sign up early, and for those who need a bike, they even have a free rental option. An impressive group of 70+ ladies showed up for some group riding and camaraderie. We split into groups according to skill level: Green, Blue, or Blue/Black. Two ride leaders manage each group with a lead and sweep. My bad-ass bike bosses for the day: Andrea led us out to Slaughter Pen with Danna sweeping; we rolled into All-American, cruising by the impressive Crystal Bridges Art Museum, then to Boo Boo and Choo Choo, then onto a roll of the Masterpiece.
We periodically reconvened as a group for the next trail turn and made a dance stop at the Farm art installation just below the Castle. We finished up on Black Apple Creek to a rolling downhill rip on Tristan. Bonus: each flagship ride has a post-ride stop, for libations and snacks, this time at the Meteor Café. I was pumped to be surrounded by so many fellow lady shredders. While sipping a local craft beer, I added many new gal pal digits to my phone and installed the GroupMe app for ongoing comms about upcoming weekly social rides.
At the post-ride gathering, I asked Andrea why she became a ride leader with WOZ.
“I am passionate about helping women find joy on two wheels. For me, it’s empowering, and mountain biking is a great reset from daily life; being amongst the trees, in nature, fully in the moment, it brings me peace. Biking has instilled a sense of adventure, plus I find so much joy in helping women overcome their fears and find connection in this supportive community.”
What’s New in Bella Vista (Trails and Trailside Treats)
It was a bit chilly in early December, but the sun was out, so I layered up, grabbed some snacks, and a water bottle. I nodded to Misty (my Transition Sentinel) as we rolled out the CycloTherapy House garage for a Bella Vista bike break. Our home away is located just across the street from the Kingsdale Complex (Fitness Center, pool, golf courses), so it was an easy roll to the Kingsdale Connector Trail to start my loop. Some initial tight turns and a roll through a neighborhood put me on an easy roll along the Creek for the Sugar Creek Bridge crossing. I passed through the golf course, under the road, for my usual stop at the scenic Pinion Falls on the Back 40.
My goal is to follow the Back 40 to the new techy and narrow, It’ll Bluff Out Trail, that is cut into the ridgeline of some classic Ozark ledges along HWY 71. The trail builders were nice enough to put a few guard rails on the “fall to your death” sections. Riding solo that day, I navigated cautiously, feeling a bit ledgy. Thankfully, I knew Rosita’s Mexican Restaurant and Bar were right along the trail, so I could stop for a drink to calm my nerves.
It’ll Bluff Out is worth a roll: it’s challenging in sections and deposits you back in the friendly confines of Blowing Springs Park. Depending on the time of your visit, stop at Grindstone Coffee Truck for a warm-up or caffeine boost. And the Gear Garden, also in Blowing Springs Park, has food trucks, cold beer, and weekend live music from April to October. I chose coffee this time, then returned home via my favorite rolling section of Tunnel Vision along Sugar Creek and the Kingsdale Golf Course.
My ride stats:
Miles = 12.6 miles
Elevation Gain = 933 feet
Total Time: 2 hours
For more trail treats, plan your rides around establishments that are a short roll from the trail. The Little Sugar Bistro is a great breakfast or brunch stop in the Kingsdale Complex…you could start here with a full belly and roll right into Tunnel Vision. For trails in the Highlands area like Lago Vista, or those tackling the Modelo Loop, plan foodie stops for meals at Table a Pain and Bella’s Table.
Oz Bike Park Preview
It’s hard not to get excited about OZ Bike Park when we routinely drive or bike by the site just off Highway 71 in Bella Vista, across from Allen Foods Plaza; the progress is steady, and the crews can be seen working on the main lodge, the lift towers, and adding on those ribbons of dirt called trails.
As of Dec. 2025, OZ Trails reports that 70% of downhill trails are complete, with many of the lines awaiting finishing cap dirt. The perimeter trail is under construction and will receive a chip seal treatment. And not to exclude hikers, they are extending the hiking trail into a giant loop!The Chair Lift terminals, towers, and rope have been installed. The team from Leitner/ POMA put in some heroic efforts during the favorable weather in December.
So, what’s the bottom line? We’ll probably be riding in the park by the summer of 2026. You can look forward to a complete experience, as is the motto for any OZ Trail project. The main lodge will have a café, beer garden, bike shop with on-site rentals, bike wash station, and plenty of space to hang out, rest, or watch from comfortable patio seating at the base.
A bike park…. that was literally the ONLY thing Bella Vista did not have. For 2026, as bike destination resumés go, you’ll not find a more impressive candidate for your next adventure on two wheels.
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