A new system of mountain bike trails at Devil’s Den State Park is headed to a likely spring opening. It will mark the fourth Monument Trail, a series of multiuse trails specifically designed for mountain bikes. Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation have worked together to create the Monument Trails, with the foundation funding their development through private donations, including from the Walton Family Foundation.
The Fossil Flats Mountain Bike Trail in Devil’s Den is often described as the birthplace of mountain biking in Arkansas. The trail builder Rogue Trails rehabilitated the Fossil Flats. “We didn’t want to change the experience,” said Suzanne Grobmyer, executive director of the Parks and Recreation Foundation. “We kept that flavor, that old-school, single-track feel with enhanced features.” Rock Solid Trail Contracting of Michigan handled the new trail construction, which will feature “the beautiful bluff lines” Devil’s Den is known for, Grobmyer said.
Meanwhile, the Monument Trail at Pinnacle Mountain State Park continues to get updated. Popular trails Jackfork and Coachwhip are being extended. State Parks is working on expanding parking for the trails; also in the works is a connection between the parking lot for the Arkansas Arboretum Trail with the Monument trails.
Also in Little Rock, the foundation has partnered with the city of Little Rock to build mountain bike trails in River Mountain Park. “It’ll be Little Rock’s first in-city, professional purpose-built mountain bike trail system,” Grobmyer said, adding that she expects it to open this summer. There will be green- and blue-rated cross-country-style trails on the south side of River Mountain and green, blue and black downhill-only trails on the north side. “It will be very striking with views of the Arkansas River and downtown Little Rock,” Grobmyer said. “It’s a very unique vantage point for mountain biking in Arkansas — or really anywhere.”
Design work is still underway on an introductory skills course for mountain bikers in nearby Two Rivers Park.
