Tucked deep within the rugged hills of the Ozarks, Mountain biking at Devil’s Den captures the heart of Arkansas’s outdoor spirit. The Monument Trails at Devil’s Den State Park are part of a growing statewide network of world-class mountain biking destinations. They are designed to highlight both the natural beauty and the technical riding that Arkansas is known for. Like the Monument Trails at Hobbs State Park and Mt. Nebo, these trails combine smooth flow with rugged beauty.
There’s something timeless about pedaling through Devil’s Den, the “birthplace of Arkansas mountain biking”. The dense forests, rocky bluffs, and clear mountain streams make every mile an adventure. Whether you’re chasing perfect flow or pausing at a scenic overlook, Devil’s Den shows why Arkansas is a mountain biker’s paradise. Because it blends flowy singletrack with jaw-dropping scenery—offering something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned riders.
Quick Glance
Total MTB Trails: 12
Total MTB Trail Distance: Approx 25 miles
Skill Level: Beginner to Expert
Trail design: Monument Trail standards — built for flow, sustainability, and scenery
Visitor Center Coordinates: 35.780043, -94.250229
Camp Area A Coordinates: 35.782898, -94.245289
Fossil Flats Trailhead: 35.784285, -94.245251
(Copy/Paste Coordinates into GPS or Google Maps search bar)
Directions
From I-49 in Northwest Arkansas, take Exit 45 (Winslow) and head west on Hwy 74. Continue for 8 miles. Hwy 74 leads right into Devil’s Den State Park and the visitor center. A few coordinates are listed above you can plug into your GPS or maps app. Or use the map below.
What to Expect
Mountain biking at Devil’s Den offers a diverse mix of terrain and trail difficulty. Both ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced. You’ll find mellow and flowy loops and connectors along the creek basins, perfect for beginners. For more advanced riders, there are steep technical downhills with rock gardens and drops, winding high along the tops of bluffs. And there is everything in between. Expect roots, rocks, and occasional slick spots. You’ll ride through occasional waterfalls, rocky bluff lines, creek crossings, boulder mazes, and lush forest. Riders will find hand-built singletrack, creek-bed slabs covered in fossils, technical rock gardens, and modern flow berms and jumps. Scenery includes tall bluffs, hidden waterfalls, and fossilized rock layers along Lee Creek. All set against the park’s signature cliffs and caves. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of Lee Creek, explore stone bridges built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and ride through landscapes that shift dramatically with the seasons.
The Fossil Flats Loop proclaims itself the “birthplace of Arkansas mountain biking”. Established in 1989, it is widely acknowledged as the first purpose-built mountain bike trail in an Arkansas State Park. That means you’ll find elements of old-school trail character (tight lines, “hand-cut” feel, raw creek crossings). But the old school character is blended with modern trail building (flow transitions, jumps, berms, and technical downhill options). Expect hand-cut sections from the park’s early days alongside smooth, sculpted flow lines built more recently.
Warning: Navigation here can be tricky. For example, at some intersections, the trails are not marked well. And the park map doesn’t clearly differentiate between some hiking and mountain bike trails. Also, riders will find bridgeless crossings of Lee Creek on the Fossil Flats Loop. Neither the park map nor the MTN Bike Project app show where creek crossings lack bridges. Those two things were my only real complaints about riding at Devil’s Den. And because of that, I definitely recommend using a GPS app like Trailforks here.
Monument Trails
- Fossil Flats – Blue (Intermediate ) – 2 mi loop
- Devil’s Racetrack- Blue/Black (Intermediate/Difficult ) – 3.7-4 mi.
- Gold Brick – Green (Beginner) – short connector
- Dollar-A-Day – Blue (Intermediate) – 1.3 mi.
- All You Can Eat – Blue (Intermediate) – 1 mi. flow singletrack.
- Sawmill Loop – Blue (Intermediate) – 1.9 mi. flow singletrack, Lee Creek views
- Racers Hill – Blue (Intermediate) – 1.7 mi. flow singletrack, hard climb
- We Can Take It – Blue (Intermediate) – 2.5 mi. bluff side rock and creek crossings.
- Sparky – Blue (Intermediate) – 0.9 mi. Downhill only
- Orville -Black (Difficult) – 1.3 mi. technical downhill only for experienced riders
For more detailed descriptions of each Monument Trail, click here.
You may be wondering, “what are Monument Trails?” The best description is straight from the Arkansas State Parks website. “The Monument Trails are a collection of world-class, mountain biking destinations within Arkansas State Parks. These shared-use trails are professionally crafted by some of the world’s best trail builders to showcase natural iconic beauty through innovative and sustainable design and build”. They were created through a partnership with the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation. Private donations and grant money funds the foundation, most notably by the Walton Family Foundation. Click here to read more about Monument Trails and the foundations responsible for them.
Plan Your Trip
4WD Needed?: No
Cell Service: Little to none (AT&T)
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Public Restrooms?: Yes
Map or GPS needed: Yes. GPS trail app needed
When planning your trip for mountain biking at Devil’s Den, keep a few details in mind to make the experience smooth. Remember, the park sits in a canyon and coverage is spotty at best. Don’t count on being able to call or stream reliably. So download maps ahead of time and let someone know your plans before you ride. And speaking of maps, I definitely recommend downloading a MTB-specific GPS trail app. Something like the MTB Project or Trailforks app App or something similar. These apps will show you the difficulty and length of each trail, as well the amount of ascent and descent to expect. Also, check recent rainfall in the area. The Fossil Flast/Sawmill Loop crosses Lee Creek twice. It can be harder to cross if it’s too high. If you are unsure, check with the visitor center.
Public restrooms are available at the visitor center. You’ll also you’ll find restrooms and bathhouses at the campground and trailhead areas. Aside from the visitor center, the closest place to find snacks and drinks are at nearby Winslow or West Fork. Just remember to pack out what you bring in and Leave No Trace. Please respect the trail and natural environment. Stay on marked trails, do not carve new lines, avoid muddy conditions, and respect other users. The beauty of these trails depends on every rider doing their part to keep them pristine.
Overnight Accommodations
Within the park, there are many options for an overnight or weekend stay. So it’s easy to make a full weekend of biking and/or hiking at Devil’s Den State Park. Camping options:
- 44 Class AAA campsites
- 24 Class D [no hookups] campsites
- 8 bike-in [tent only] campsites
- 24 campsites with hookups in the horse camp
If you prefer not to camp, Devil’s Den offers 17 full-service cabins (with kitchens & fireplaces) and 9 camper cabins. You can book any of these camp or cabin options HERE. If they are all booked up, don’t worry. There are many private cabins, Airbnbs, and hotels available to rent in the area.
If you are in the area for an extended time and want to find more mountain bike trails, just head north on I-49. The birthplace of Monument Trails are at Hobbs State Park, east of Rogers, AR. And there are too many MTB trails and parks to list scattered between Fayetteville and Bella Vista.
Final Thoughts
Mountain biking at Devil’s Den means more than just a great ride—it’s an immersive experience through some of the oldest and most scenic landscapes in the Ozarks. With its mix of historic trails, the modern technical features, sweeping views, and Ozark rock scenery, it embodies the spirit of the Monument Trails initiative. If you’re looking for a memorable mountain biking experience in Arkansas, mountain biking at Devil’s Den deserves a spot at the top of your list. Pack your gear, bring a good trail map or app, respect the terrain, and you’ll ride through one of the best mountain-bike destinations the Natural State has to offer.
