You’ve got a bike, and you’re itching for a real adventure. Not just a ride, but a journey where your bike becomes your ticket to freedom. That, my friend, is the exact feeling that makes bikepacking in Arkansas so perfect.
But first, what is bikepacking? Think of it as backpacking’s cooler sibling. You strap your camping gear, sleeping bag, tent, and food right onto your bike. Then you ride off, not just on smooth pavement, but on backroads, forest paths, and mountain trails. You carry your home with you, and the world becomes your campsite.
And why Arkansas? Well, because it’s the under-the-radar paradise for this. It has everything: huge, wild national forests, legendary mountain biking towns, crystal-clear rivers, and miles of quiet gravel roads. Plus, the community here gets it. They’ve built routes specifically for us. So, if you’re ready to pedal into an unforgettable trip, here are the best routes for bikepacking in Arkansas.
1. The Arkansas High Country Route
This is the big one. The Adventure Cycling Association created this monster, and it’s basically three giant loops that fit together like a puzzle. You can ride one, two, or all three. It covers the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests, so you are guaranteed stunning views and serious climbs.
The Northwest Loop is your best starting point. It’s about 242 miles, so you can tackle it in a solid 3-4 days. The terrain is challenging but not extreme, perfect for building your bikepacking confidence in Arkansas. You’ll roll through small towns where you can grab a hot meal, which is always a major win after a long day of pedaling.
The Central Loop is for when you’re truly committed. It’s over 430 miles of epic, remote riding. You’ll need more time and more supplies, but the reward is a true sense of accomplishment. You’ll see parts of Arkansas most people never do.
2. The Fayetteville Folklore
Fayetteville is a hub for outdoor lovers, and its bikepacking route network proves it. They designed five different loops, and each one gets longer and more difficult. You can start with a 60-mile overnight trip. Then, as you get stronger, you can move up to the 190-mile route.
The best part? You can link them together for a tour over 260 miles. It’s like a video game for bikepackers; you keep leveling up. The routes use a mix of sweet singletrack trails, gravel, and quiet roads. You’re never too far from Fayetteville’s amazing food and coffee scene, either, which is a huge bonus.
3. The Razorback Greenway Loop
New to carrying all your gear? This is your route. It’s a 78-mile loop that uses the famous paved Razorback Greenway for a big part of it. Don’t let “paved” fool you; it’s an adventure. You’ll still climb about 3,200 feet, but you’ll do it on safer, car-light paths.
This loop connects the cities of Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville. You can explore incredible art trails, stop at local breweries, and even find hike-in campsites at places like the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. Coler is a mountain-biking haven, but it also offers amenities such as restrooms and a coffee shop. It’s the ideal spot for your first bikepacking overnight.
4. The Buffalo River Loop
This route is challenging. I’m talking 187 miles and over 16,500 feet of climbing. But you do it because it follows the Buffalo National River, the first National River in America. The scenery is absolutely unreal.
You’ll pedal past massive bluffs, deep forests, and that bright blue water. It feels ancient and wild out there. You need to be prepared for remote sections, but that’s the point. This route is for the rider who wants to feel completely away from it all. The rugged beauty of the Buffalo River area makes every single hard climb worth it.
5. The Ouachita Triple Crown
This 161-mile route is a heartland gem built for those who live for singletrack. It weaves through the Ouachita National Forest and includes parts of famous trails like the Womble and the LOViT. These trails are so good they’re called “IMBA Epics.”
Be ready for steep grades, technical riding, and incredible backcountry camping. This isn’t a gravel road cruise; it’s a rugged, immersive trail experience on two wheels.
6. The Delta Heritage Trail
Eastern Arkansas is flat. Beautifully, wonderfully flat. The Delta Heritage Trail is a packed limestone path that rolls through a totally different landscape. You’ll ride through dense forests, past huge agricultural fields, and over quiet waterways.
It’s a chance to see the calm, expansive beauty of the Delta. They have primitive tent sites at the Barton visitor center, making trip planning easy. It’s a peaceful, historical, and utterly unique option for bikepacking in Arkansas.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. From the high mountains of the Ozarks to the flat Delta, Arkansas has a route that matches your spirit and your skill level. Each trail offers its own unique attractions, from river bluffs to downtown coffee shops.
Your next great story is waiting on these trails. All you have to do is go out and find it, one mile at a time, through the incredible experience of bikepacking in Arkansas.