FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bike trails stretch out in all directions from a downtown park in Fayetteville, located in the northwest corner of Arkansas. While nearby Bentonville has long been celebrated as a mountain biking hotspot, Fayetteville is now stepping up to attract adventure cyclists, especially bikepackers.
This year, Fayetteville launched a new initiative focused on bikepacking. The effort includes developing routes, creating maps, and promoting tourism with a year-round calendar of cycling events.
I recently visited Fayetteville with my family of cyclists. We stayed near downtown in an Airbnb, where we could access the routes directly from our doorstep.
The new Fayetteville Bikepacking Route Network features multi-day loops developed in partnership with Bikepacking Roots. These carefully mapped and tested routes range from 60 to more than 200 miles. They cover trails and a network of gravel roads that lead from Fayetteville into the surrounding hills.
Riders can pick up printed maps downtown or download GPS data to ride fully prepared. The city provides free parking for bikepackers, and all routes start and finish in a central downtown square, allowing riders to leave their cars safely behind.
Why the Ozarks Are Ideal for Bikepacking
Bikepacking has grown steadily in popularity over recent years. Though smaller than mountain biking, it attracts riders eager for adventure and willing to travel for great trails.
Fayetteville fits the bill perfectly. The hilly town hosts a college campus and is close to vast wild areas. It already boasts an active cycling community with shops, clubs, gear manufacturers, and over 100 miles of trails inside city limits.
The new bikepacking routes begin and end in downtown Fayetteville, passing through popular local spots before leading riders into nearby wilderness. Along the way, cyclists can enjoy overlooks, quiet campsites, fishing docks, and swimming holes.
Bikepacking Roots worked closely with local experts to design the routes last year. The loops combine lesser-known backroads and trails with famous destinations like Devil’s Den State Park and the Buffalo River. They vary in difficulty from beginner to expert.
One standout is the 264-mile Tour de Ozarks Mega. Designed for experienced cyclists, this route offers stunning views, a week-long adventure, and 22,500 feet of climbing through rugged, scenic Ozark terrain.
The project also aims to make bikepacking accessible to newcomers. For example, the Razorback Greenway loop is a two-night route that follows a regional paved trail before transitioning to quiet country roads. Riders camp overnight but stay close enough to Fayetteville, Rogers, and Bentonville to enjoy local restaurants and coffee shops during their journey.
With these new routes and community support, Fayetteville is quickly staking its claim as a top bikepacking basecamp in America.