Back 40 Trail Guide for Bella Vista Riders
The Back 40 trail guide starts with one big idea: this is not a park where you pedal one short loop, hit the same features twice, and call it a day. Back 40 is a sprawling 22-mile loop built for adventure.
For Bentonville visitors, Back 40 is an easy place to spend a full day without repeating anything. It sits north of town in Bella Vista, and its size is the strength and the trap. The riding is memorable, most take the loop in a counterclockwise direction but both directions are acceptable. Pick a sensible start point like near the Blowing Springs RV Park gear garden parking lot, know your turnaround plan or route if you plan on taking any shortcuts, and bring snacks to help keep your energy up for the entire ride.
What Makes Back 40 Different
Back 40 feels more like a backcountry cross-country network than a concentrated bike park. The trails move through hardwood forest, over rolling Ozark ridges, around lakes, and across rocky benches. There is not a lot of smooth, machine-built singletrack, berms and jump lines. Instead you will find a lot of tree roots, loose rock, long and short climbs, narrow tread, long descents and changing surfaces keep the ride honest.
Two of my favorite spots along the back 40 are Pinion Creek Waterfall which is fed by the runoff from Lake Anne and the towering limestone cliffs found near the southern shores of Lake Anne. The trade-off is navigation. Unlike a compact trail hub, Back 40 has many intersections and several ways to extend a ride. Download a current map or use an app like Trailforks, All trails or Google Maps, watch signage, and note the trailhead or landmark closest to your planned exit.
Choose the Right Back 40 Starting Point
Your best trailhead depends on the ride you want, not just the closest pin on a map. Bella Vista access points can put you near different sections of the network, so choose one based on mileage, rider ability, and whether you want to connect toward Blowing Springs or stay deeper in Back 40.
For a first visit, begin at a well-used trailhead with parking, clear signage, and a straightforward first few miles. This keeps the early part of the ride simple while everyone gets a feel for the surface and pace. Families and newer riders should prioritize an out-and-back or a small, known loop rather than trying to stitch together the entire system.
Plan by Time, Not Just Mileage
Ozark miles do not always ride like rail-trail miles. On smoother sections, a capable group can cover ground quickly. On rocky, undulating singletrack, average speed drops fast. Add photo stops, snack breaks, missed turns, and regrouping, and a ride that looks short on a map can fill half a day.
For a first Back 40 visit, give yourself more time than you think you need. A three - to four-hour ride is a sweet spot for many visitors on an e-bike and can be longer if you are riding a regular bike. It gives you enough trail to experience the system's range without turning the day into a navigation test. If you want a bigger mission, reserve four or more hours, carry extra water, and have an easy bailout option in mind.
Back 40 Trail Guide by Rider Type
Beginners and families
Back 40 can work for newer mountain bikers, especially riders who are comfortable braking, cornering, and shifting on rolling dirt. Expect to walk your bike over the rocky sections and be sure to ride within your ability.
A hardtail is completely at home here and lends itself well to the climbing aspects of the Back 40, however a full suspension will make a big difference in improving your overall experience. Lower tire pressure within your safe range can add grip and comfort over roots and small rocks, while a dropper post helps newer riders move confidently on short descents. I would not take kids on this ride unless they are competent riders who are up to the challenge. Snacks, water, and a no-pressure turnaround rule are often more valuable than an ambitious mileage target.
Intermediate riders
This is where Back 40 really shines. Intermediate riders can link flowing forest singletrack with enough natural rock and climbing to build skills. Focus on smooth braking before corners, look ahead through rocky patches, and use momentum where the trail gives it to you. The network rewards riders who stay relaxed and let the bike move underneath them.
A 120- to 140-millimeter trail bike is a comfortable all-around choice, but it is far from mandatory. A capable hardtail keeps the ride lively, and a short-travel full-suspension bike takes the edge off long, chattery days.
Advanced riders
Experienced riders should come to Back 40 for mileage, rhythm, and natural Ozark texture. This is not a place to expect one concentrated downhill feature after another. Instead, understand that the pattern the Back 40 follows is simple. Long descents to the bottom of a ravine or hill followed by some singletrack that follows the contours of the land before beginning a sometimes long climb out. Once you've reached the top you will cross a neighborhood road and begin the sequence all over again. This pattern repeats itself for the entire 22-mile loop. I've known advanced riders to complete the Back 40 loop in two to two and a half hours assuming they don't encounter a flat tire or other mechanical problem. It is important to note that some of the Arkansas rock features have sharp rocks that have been known to slice a tire or two. A buddy of mine had it happen to both tires on the same ride. Thankfully, we had some spare tubes which allowed him to continue. Come prepared and expect a good time.
How to Build a Smart Route
Build your Back 40 day around one primary goal. Completing the 22-mile loop. Imagine the trail is like a wheel. The rim is the 22-mile loop while there are some trails that make it possible to shorten that loop. Plan carefully. The trails are well marked. It is easy to miss them though if you are distracted by the good time you are having.
Conditions, Weather, and What to Carry
The Back 40 is an all-weather route and a local go-to when it's raining. Northwest Arkansas weather can turn a dry, fast ride into a slick rock lesson overnight. After rain, roots and limestone deserve respect, and low areas may hold moisture longer than exposed ridges. The tree coverage helps keep some of the rain off you.
Summer rides call for an early start. Plan to be done early as temps only continue to climb the later it gets. It is not uncommon to see 100+ degree riding at noon. I've experienced that personally. The forest offers shade, but humidity and long stretches between trailheads can sneak up on you. Carry more water than you would for a short neighborhood loop. There are points along the trail where you can refill your water. Those points get shut down in the late fall and winter. Don't forget to pack extra calories, a tube or tire plug kit or both, a pump or CO2, a multitool, and a basic first-aid kit. I have used them all at one point or another. While riding with a bloody leg looks cool, understand how to treat cuts and bruises with the First Aid kit in your pack. Cell coverage can be inconsistent in the woods, so a downloaded map is practical, not overprepared. Especially if you need to piece together a faster route back to your starting point.
In cooler months, layers make the difference between a great ride and a chilly one. Fall leaves are beautiful here, but they can blur roots, rocks, and trail edges. Keep your eyes up, ease off the speed where the surface is hidden, and let the scenery be the reason for a quick stop rather than a mid-corner distraction.
Pair Back 40 With a Bentonville Trip
Back 40 works especially well as the longer, quieter counterpoint to a Bentonville riding weekend. Ride jump lines and urban-accessible flow near town one day, then head north for a more remote-feeling cross-country mission the next. You get berms and jump lines near town, and natural Ozark rock in Bella Vista when you are ready to earn it.
If you are renting a bike, tell the shop you plan to ride Back 40. They can help match tire choice, suspension setup, and bike style to your plans. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are welcome on Bentonville trails, and they are especially useful on the Back 40.
Back 40 does not demand that you ride every mile to have a great day. Ride the full loop or pick a route that fits the legs you brought, leave room for a wrong turn or a lakeside pause, and roll back to the trailhead with enough energy to start planning the next section.
