Bike Routes and Bike Riding Tours in Arkansas
Whether you want to spend the day cycling a scenic back road in the Ozarks or test your mettle in a stage race, the state hosts terrain and events for all skill levels.
Family Biking Activities
The Big Dam Bridge is great for leisurely family biking activities and more challenging riders alike. The landmark is the world’s largest bridge built specifically for bicycle and pedestrian traffic and currently ties together 17 miles of scenic river trails in Little Rock and North Little Rock.
Road Bike Racing
If you are interested in road bike racing, you won’t want to miss the Joe Martin Stage Race in Fayetteville. It takes place every May as part of the National Race Calendar (NRC) which is the pro and elite amateur cycling tour of USA Cycling.
Road Bicycle Trips
For cyclists up for a challenging ride, the Ouachitas and Ozarks Cycling Tour offers quite a challenge and includes a side trip to Eureka Springs. Far reaching projects such as the Mississippi River Trail highlight routes in the Delta as part of a 3,000 mile network of bicycle-friendly roads that connect 10 states. Another option is the Memphis to Ft. Smith Road Bicycle Trip, which cuts an east to west route across the state through Little Rock. Among the many solid cycling routes found across the state is the 62 mile Jasper Disaster, which starts at Harrison and winds up and down Mount Sherman to Jasper, crossing the Buffalo River twice along the way. The Sheriff’s Hilly 100, which usually starts in Batesville, is a prime ride as well as the 64 mile Steel Bridge loop which passes through Ferndale. The 51 mile England-Scott Express and the 63 mile Mayflower Beaverfork Lake route are other popular options. For shorter routes, see our list of easy to difficult recommendations at the Suggested Rides Section. Also, be sure to order your free Arkansas Vacation Kit to further help plan which sights to see on your Arkansas cycling tour.