By: 
Monika Rued
 Updated: 

We know a little something about mountain biking. Arkansas State Parks has been involved in mountain biking since the 1980s. In fact, Devil’s Den State Park is considered the birthplace of mountain biking in Arkansas. We have 23 mountain bike trails in 12 state parks with more in the works. Four races in the Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series take place in the two parks hosting the bookend rides, Devil’s Den and Hobbs, as well as races at Cane Creek and Woolly Hollow state parks.

devil's den ozark mountain bike festival limbo

If you want to get in an early ride before the IMBA World Summit, one last ride before you head home, or can’t make it to the sold-out summit, these free bookend rides are a great option. The Ozark Off Road Cyclists (OORC), a 20-year-old trail advocacy group and the first IMBA chapter in the region, will be leading these rides from the trailheads. Shuttles and bike rentals are available through our partners at Ozark Spokes and Floats and Phat Tire Bikes for a fee.

Ride One: Fossil Flats Ride at Devil’s Den State Park

Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Meet at the trailhead in Camping Area A at Devil’s Den State Park. For those needing a shuttle to and from the ride, meet up with Ozark Spokes and Floats at the Bentonville Square at 12:30 p.m. Shuttle price is $30 per person. Please check with Phat Tire Bikes (479-715-6170) for prices on rental bikes if you need one. We expect to have you back at the Square by 5:30 p.m.

devil's den mountain biking

The ride will have six- or 12-mile options and will be led by local riders. The trail is everything from flow to technical hand cut and everything in between. Devil’s Den State Park hosted the first mountain bike festival in the state in 1989 and currently hosts two mountain biking festivals each year. And as we said earlier, is considered the birthplace of mountain biking in Arkansas, so you definitely want visit this mountain biking destination. Check out this insider blog of Fossil Flats with trail highlights.

hobbs mountain biking

Ride Two: Hidden Diversity Trail at Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area

Sunday, November 13, 2016 at 9 a.m.

Meet at the Townsend Ridge Road Trailhead at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. For those needing a shuttle to and from the ride, meet up with Ozark Spokes and Floats at the Bentonville Square at 8 a.m. Shuttle price is $30 per person. Please check with Phat Tire Bikes (479-715-6170) for prices on rental bikes if you need one. We expect to have you back at the Square by 12:15 p.m.

The Hobbs ride will have nine- and 15-mile options that include lots of flow and is non-technical. These trails are 11 years old and some of the best riding in the state. The unique rock just below the surface allows for quick draining so rain is not a problem with riding here. The entire system includes 23 miles of trail.