America is the land of opportunity. That’s what makes this iconic trail in the Ozarks so special—it’s a manifestation of freedom. In Bentonville, the home of this special path, the catchphrase you’ll find all around town is “all are welcome.” And that holds true for the All American Trail.
Heads up: This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click and buy—we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read more about it here.
Everyone enjoys this trail, from the Amish woman we saw riding (wearing a bonnet and dress) to the children on balance bikes, and even the pros. Some words my son used to describe the trail are “thrilling,” “adventurous,” “unexpected,” and “exciting!”
If you’re looking to get your feet wet with the exhilarating sport of mountain biking with your family, this trail is the perfect spot to start. It’s got a little something for riders of all levels and all ages. A few of my family members discovered their love of mountain biking on this trail, and each time they return to Northwest Arkansas, they return to this favorite singletrack which is the gateway to the OZ trails.
Hear more about the All American Trail mountain biking experience below.
The Experience
The first time we made our way to the Northwest Arkansas region of the Ozarks, we had no idea that Bentonville, Arkansas had declared itself the Mountain Biking Capital of the World. It didn’t take long for us to notice how much fun everyone seemed to be having riding around the town and zipping through the winding trails that seemed to branch off roads all over the city.
After only a few hours, we were tantalized and pumped to try this new experience for ourselves. The only problem was, we didn’t pack our bikes. That meant we’d have to rent some rides—which turned out to be pretty simple!
Getting a Ride
If you take a drive, walk, or ride downtown in Bentonville, you’ll see that bike rental venues are a dime a dozen! We got lucky, not knowing anything about the nearby trails, and picked a rental location just a few blocks away from the All American Loop trailhead. The place we picked was called Spoke Adventures. You can read more about how to rent a bike in Bentonville in our guide.
Riding away on our last-minute mountain bike rentals, we were super excited to head to the trails. The guys at Spoke Adventures told us that the All American Trail would be a great place to start and gave us a few pointers on how to ride the berms.
Where is the All American Trail?
The trailhead is located just across the street from Wright's Barbecue and behind Lawrence Plaza, the outdoor splash pad that doubles as an ice skating rink in the winter.
On 3rd street, between NE A Street and NE B Street, look for a dirt path off to the right of the paved path to officially embark on the “All American Trail.” Check out the photo below to help you reach the trailhead.
The dirt path runs mostly parallel to the Razorback Greenway paved trail, giving you an easier return trip if you need one. Use the OZ trail's super helpful pdf map of the Slaughter Pen Trail System to keep on hand. The All American is part of Phase 3 on the map, in green.
Key Features of the All American Loop
Aside from the mixed variety of riders, here are just a few more things that we noticed about the All American trail as we rode with the kids. We loved that the trail offered optional features for more adventurous riders and paths around them for the less daring riders.
Here’s some more info about the All American Trail:
Type: Singletrack multipurpose (hiking and biking)
Direction: Can ride both directions (although signs suggest it’s actually just one-way)
Length: Less than one mile
Trail system: Slaughter-Pen (Phase 3)
Difficulty: Green (Easy)
E-Bike Friendly: Yes
Features: Berms, bridges, skinnies, smooth dirt rollers, optional jumps
Take a peek at this video of a more seasoned rider zooming through the All American Trail to get an idea of whether your family might be up for the task.
The trail systems, to be honest, can be a little overwhelming and difficult to navigate. Your best bet is to study the maps and signs the best you can before you head out, and then just make sure you know which way to go to get back. Use the signs to help you navigate and don’t get too far out unless you’re very familiar with the area. If you get lost, just ask someone to point you in the right direction! Everyone we saw was super friendly.
Check out our NWA Mountain Biking Guide for Families trails to learn more about entering the mountain biking arena with your family in this area.
Planning Your Visit
We learned a few lessons as rookies on the All American Trail. Here are a few tips for when you plan your ride on this popular track.
Dress Appropriately
Because we didn’t plan to ride the trails, we were wearing normal street clothes. Our advice to you: don’t wear jeans. They’re constricting and can cause chafing issues. Instead, dress like you’re headed to the gym—sneakers and activewear.
Ride in Order
Next thing, stick your most adventurous family member in front so that they can ride faster to complete obstacles that other more cautious riders may want to slow down for. Also, remember to be considerate of other riders who are traveling faster. Pull over and let them pass if necessary.
Practice on a Pump Track First
The All American Trail is super popular and a lot of newcomers and tourists ride on this trail. That means it’s busy. For families and people who are trying mountain biking for the first time, it may be wise to practice first on a skills track, like the Bentonville Bike Playground.
Is the All American Trail Worth Riding?
So, is it worth it to ride on the All American Trail in Bentonville? Going into it, we thought it would be less challenging—but we are also from the flat prairie land of the midwest. After experiencing the trail, we found that it wasn’t necessarily difficult, but it was challenging in a good way.
Since our memory of the experience is collectively and consistently the same: it was fun! The answer is yes; this trail is worth it! Even if you’re out of shape, you can do it. Just push your bike uphill when you get tired and get back on when you’re ready. All you’ll get from other riders is positive vibes because everyone is looking out for each other!
Book Your Trip
If you’re headed to the mountain biking capital of the world to try out the All American Trail, we’d like to help you get there! Check out the resources below to get the best deal on your accommodations.
Find a Hotel in Bentonville, Arkansas: Check dates and rates on Trip.com
Rent a Car: Roadtrips are the best way to experience the Ozarks, get the best rates on Economy Bookings