Slaughter Pen Skills Park: Every Line, Drop, and Jump
The Slaughter Pen Skills Park is a progression area in the middle of Bentonville's Slaughter Pen trails, right off the Razorback Greenway, with drops that start at a few inches and step up to 8 feet. It has three zones (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), and every feature is short enough to ride, walk back, and try again. If you want to learn to jump or drop before you hit a full trail, start here.
Slaughter Pen Skills Park at a glance
Location: Middle of Slaughter Pen, Bentonville, right off the Razorback Greenway
Zones: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Drops: 7 drop lines: 2 beginner (a few inches), 3 intermediate (2, 3, and 4 feet), 2 advanced (6 and 8 feet)
Jump lines: 3 beginner tabletop lines, then Pump Fiction and Ya Buddy
Skills trails next door: Berm Diggity, All American Skills Line, Jesse's Last Stand
Best for: Beginners, kids, and anyone working on drops and jumps
Ride time: As long as you want to session. Each line is under 400 feet, so a lap takes about a minute
Closest parking: NW A Street lot, or the Bentonville Bike Playground at 2400 N Walton Blvd
Wet-weather list: No. See "When it rains" below
Where the Skills Park is and how to get there
The Skills Park sits in the middle of Slaughter Pen, right alongside the Razorback Greenway, so you can reach it on pavement from almost any direction. The Castle is a few hundred yards away, up the gravel road from the Skills Park.
Riding in from downtown: Take the paved Razorback Greenway. It's an easy downhill ride into Slaughter Pen, which also means you climb back up the same way when you're done. If you drive downtown, park on the top level of the 2-level downtown parking garage off Blake Avenue; the first level is for business and valet parking.
Driving in: The NW A Street lot gives you access from the north end of Slaughter Pen. It's very popular, has a fair amount of parking and a small changing station, and the Razorback Greenway, the All American Skills Line, and the Skills Park are a short ride away.
With small kids: Park at the Bentonville Bike Playground, 2400 N Walton Blvd. It has free parking, restrooms, water fountains, a pump track, and a beginner bike skills course, and it's minutes from the Skills Park. Let the little ones work the pump track first, then ride over.
For every Slaughter Pen lot, see the parking section of our First Time Visitor Guide.
The Beginner Area
The Beginner Area was recently redone with 3 lines of progressively bigger tabletops. Roll them on your first lap, then use them to learn how to jump. Signs show which line is which, so you always know when you're stepping up.
Next to the jump lines are 2 rollable drops of a few inches. They are the right place to learn how a drop feels before you try one with a real gap to the landing.
Every feature here is built to be repeated. Ride a line, push back up, and ride it again until you land the same way every time. Then move to the next line.
The Intermediate Area
The Intermediate Area has 3 drops of 2, 3, and 4 feet, with an easy return loop so you can practice your technique without a long walk back. Trailforks rates this zone blue.
Start on the 2-foot drop even if you've dropped before. Move up only when the smaller drop feels routine, not when it feels survivable. The return loop makes it easy to stack 10 or 15 tries in a few minutes.
The Advanced Area
The Advanced Area has 2 drops of 6 and 8 feet. Trailforks lists this zone as black, opened in 2024, and it is the newest part of the Skills Park. Walk up and look at both landings before you commit. These drops feel significantly larger in person than the numbers suggest.
Three short blue trails sit next to the big drops. Each one focuses on a different skill.
Ya Buddy (Blue)
Ya Buddy is a dirt jump line with sculpted tabletops and rhythm sections at consistent spacing. It rewards riders who carry steady speed and stay composed into each takeoff. Confident intermediates can ride it, and rollable options let you work up to the bigger jumps.
Pump Fiction (Blue)
Pump Fiction is short and built for repeat laps. Pump the rollers for speed, or double them for air, and finish with tabletops. It's about generating speed the right way, not big consequences, so it's a good place to work on timing before you try Ya Buddy.
Berm Diggity (Blue)
Berm Diggity rounds out the trio next to the big drops. See its trail page for photos and the full description.
Skills lines nearby
Two more short blue lines are close to the Skills Park and work as the next step once the jump lines feel comfortable.
All American Skills Line, also called the Hero line, starts at a trailhead above a statue and flows right to left into two berms shaped like an "S." It blends tabletops and smooth rollers into a progressive jump line. It usually has a line of riders waiting.
Jesse's Last Stand is a fast flow line with supportive berms, rollers, and small takeoffs for low-consequence airtime. It sees less traffic than Slaughter Pen's busier flow trails. To find it, take Armadillo's Last Stand near the end of the Hero line, then take the left fork.
Who the Skills Park is for
Beginners and kids: Stay in the Beginner Area. Roll the tabletops, ride the small drops, and stop while it's still fun. Kids of all ages can try the beginner area of the skills park. The easiest run is beginner friendly and forgiving. For really young riders who feel like the skills park is to much may have a better time at the Bike Playground's pump track. Our Riding with Family Guide has more ideas for mixed-age groups.
Intermediate riders: Work through the 2-, 3-, and 4-foot drops, then lap Pump Fiction and the All American Skills Line. When you're landing tabletops consistently, try Ya Buddy and Jesse's Last Stand.
Advanced riders: The 6- and 8-foot drops and Ya Buddy are the draw. The Skills Park also makes a good warm-up before laps from The Castle.
Brad's notes
The Skills Park is a great place to practice and test out skills regardless of ability. Each of the beginner jump lines is a confidence builder for all riding levels, not just first-timers. For beginning riders start at the Beginner Area and try the first 3 flow trails. Practice good body position such as having level pedals and being out of your seat in a ready position. If you have a dropper post have it lowered. Doing so allows the bike to move under you as you roll over the different obstacles. The final step is have a smile as you begin. It’s a small thing that can have a big impact on mindset. Enjoy and have a fun time as you practice, and take any mistakes made as opportunities for improvement and growth.
The Skills Park is least crowded during the weekdays when kids are at school and people are at work. On the weekends, try arriving earlier to beat any crowds. If there are a lot of riders then practice good etiquette and take turns. There are enough runs at the skills park to keep most lines at a minimum. I’ve never had to wait a long time between laps when it’s been busy.
When it rains
The Skills Park is not on the wet-weather list, and its dirt jumps and landings need time to dry after rain. Check the Trail Conditions page before you go.
If the Skills Park is closed, you don't have to leave Slaughter Pen. Armadillo's Last Stand and Black Apple Creek are both on the official wet-weather list. Other wet-weather options include Leopards Loop, Choo Choo, Back 40, Blowing Springs, Angus Chute, and Esther's Loop at Coler MTB Preserve.
Bike setup
Any mountain bike with good brakes works in the Beginner Area, and a hardtail is fun on the jump lines. Knee pads are a smart call once you start on the intermediate drops. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are welcome on Bentonville trails. If you're renting, tell the shop you plan to session drops and jumps; see our bike rentals guide.
Pair it with
The Castle: Take the gravel road up from the Skills Park to The Castle, the hub for trails of every level. Catapult is the blue trail with the big drop-in ramp; Uwabami and Firnas are good next steps if blue is a stretch.
More airtime: Medieval and Wildfire mix flow with air. Wildfire goes only halfway down, so the climb back is shorter.
With kids: Black Apple Creek is smooth and scenic, with a tunnel at the end to explore.
Planning the rest of your trip? Our First Time Visitor Guide helps you Choose Your Own Adventure.
FAQ
Where is the Slaughter Pen Skills Park?
It's in the middle of the Slaughter Pen trails in Bentonville, right off the Razorback Greenway. The closest parking is the NW A Street lot or the Bentonville Bike Playground at 2400 N Walton Blvd.
Is the Skills Park good for beginners?
Yes. The Beginner Area has 3 tabletop lines that you can roll or jump and 2 drops of just a few inches. Signs show how the lines progress.
How big are the drops at the Slaughter Pen Skills Park?
There are 7 drop lines: 2 beginner drops of a few inches, 3 intermediate drops of 2, 3, and 4 feet, and 2 advanced drops of 6 and 8 feet.
Is the Skills Park open after rain?
It's not on the wet-weather list, so check the Trail Conditions page first. Armadillo's Last Stand and Black Apple Creek, both in Slaughter Pen, are on the wet-weather list.
Can I ride an e-bike at the Skills Park?
Yes. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are welcome on Bentonville trails.
