MTB Bentonville: Family Guide
Mountain Biking Bentonville With Kids:
Where to Ride, What to Expect & How to Plan Your Trip
Planning a family mountain bike trip to Bentonville, Arkansas? This page breaks down the best kid-friendly trails at Slaughter Pen and Coler MTB Preserve and beyond, what to expect on the trail, and how to build a fun, confidence-boosting riding plan for all ages. Whether you’re visiting with first-time riders or young shredders ready for flow, we’ll help you maximize your time and make the most of your Bentonville mountain biking adventure.
Why Bentonville Is One of the Best Places in the U.S. for Kids to Ride
Bentonville isn’t just a place to ride. It’s where family riding stories begin. From their first experience riding the singletrack kid friendly All American trail, gaining confidence at the Skills Park in Slaughter Pen to high-fives at the bottom of the Uwabami a green trail at the Castle, this is where kids build confidence, courage, and a lifelong love of mountain biking. Couple the trails in Slaughter Pen with Coler MTB Preserve and you will find a range of options capable of satisfying the needs of everyone in the family. With thoughtfully designed beginner trails, progressive features, and easy access to food, parks, and downtown, Bentonville, Arkansas makes it simple for families to ride together, grow together, and create the kind of trail memories that stick long after the trip ends.
Where to Ride with Kids in Slaughter Pen
The All American Trail begins downtown near Lawrence plaza and weaves around the Razorback Greenway throughout all of Slaughter Pen. It is the path local bike schools take on after school rides.
Black Apple Creek is a scenic ride through the bottom of a wooded ravine that follows a small creek and ends in a tunnel that goes under A Street and Tiger Blvd. The tunnel opens up into Burns Arboretum; a cool spot featuring a small waterfall fed pool of water that makes great place to cool off and enjoy a mid ride snack. The trail itself well packed with gentle hills. It is one of our favorite places to take kids. If you venture further into Burns Arboretum you will find more places to cool off in the summer or scenic views as the trail weaves around the Creek.
The Skills Park is the go to place with kids of all skill levels. In the Beginner Area they can progress from small rollable bumps to short drops of a few inches all designed to accommodate and boost their confidence level. The Intermediate Area offers progressively bigger drops (measured in feet) to try. The Advanced Area brings bigger berms, larger airtime and bigger smiles for those with more confidence and skill. It is the complete package.
Near the north end of Slaughter pen you will find one of the most popular trails for young shredders. The All American (Hero Line) runs right along the Razorback greenway and features some smooth berms, rollable tabletops, and a wooden ramp. This section of trail provides an opportunity to teach them the concept of pre-ride, re-ride and free-ride to get familiar with a specific trail before sending it.
TIP: after you complete this one instead of returning to the greenway take the All American Trail back to the top of the Hero Line.
Where to Ride with Kids in Coler MTB Preserve
The Good Vibrations trail starts at the southern entrance and actually crosses the creek before continuing along the other side of the creek from the Applegate Trail. While the water crossing can be fun, especially in the hot summer, if you want to avoid potentially getting your feet wet you can skip this section and meet up with the trail a little farther into the preserve.
This trail is great for avoiding any foot traffic and is perfect for all skill levels. The best part of this trail is it takes you into the tree cover and out of the sun as it weaves around the Applegate trail.
Family Flow Trail is a short, green-rated flow trail designed for pure, approachable fun. With smooth rollers, gentle berms, and predictable features, it’s a great introduction to flow-style riding for kids and newer riders while still being enjoyable enough for parents to lap alongside them. If you keep to the right side you can enjoy some air off the small rollers while the kids keep to the left.
You can access Family Flow by continuing along Esther’s Loop near the top of the hill by the Thunderdome trailhead, or by climbing up the Family Flow Return from Applegate Trail. Either approach requires a short but manageable climb, making the descent feel earned without being intimidating. For families looking to session a fun, confidence-building flow trail at Coler MTB Preserve, this one delivers.
The Applegate Trail is Coler’s main connector, linking the north and south parking lots with Airship Coffee. Wide, paved, easy to follow, and runs about 2 milees from end to end. It serves as the preserve’s primary reference point and is popular with families, walkers, and casual riders.
This paved trail is perfect for the youngest riders riding their balance bikes as the trail is wide and very popular. There are multiple spots to stop like the firefly gardens, or get a picture in a huge wooden lawn chair or hangout near the creek in the Center of the preserve or by the south entrance to the preserve.
Tip: When possible, ride Good Vibrations to avoid heavy foot traffic.
Esther’s Loop is Coler’s go to green trail for a scenic, confidence-building four mile ride through rolling terrain and shaded hardwood forest on the west side of Coler MTB Preserve. Smooth singletrack, gentle elevation changes, and wide sightlines make it an ideal progression trail for riders ready to move beyond the basics. It’s easily accessed from both the South Parking Lot and Coler Grove, making logistics simple for families.
The trail follows the natural contours of the preserve’s southern hillside, offering just enough variety to keep things engaging without overwhelming newer riders. Younger or first-time riders may find the length and rolling terrain challenging, but kids with a bit of trail experience will gain valuable endurance, climbing confidence, and flow as they complete the loop.
If you’re visiting Coler MTB Preserve with younger riders, treat Pedal Assist as a scenic climb and destination ride rather than a gateway to the advanced lines. Ride up at a steady pace, take a break at The Hub, and enjoy watching riders on the larger features from a safe distance.
Skip Drop the Hammer and other black-diamond features unless everyone in your group is truly ready. Watching people take on these trails can be fun and awe inspiring. For most families, the best plan is to climb Pedal Assist, soak in the views and energy at The Hub, then return the way you came. Confident older kids can descend on the Fireline trail, but newer riders will likely feel most comfortable rolling back down Pedal Assist.
This approach keeps the ride fun, controlled, and confidence building exactly what a great family day at Coler should feel like.