#IPW2025

 ARKANSAS UNVEILS NEW ERA OF OUTDOOR RECREATION AT IPW 2025

Trail innovation, inclusivity, and Olympic-level cycling highlight The Natural State’s growing global impact

 

At IPW 2025, Arkansas Tourism unveiled new infrastructure plans that reinforce the state’s growing reputation as a national and global leader in outdoor recreation, sustainable infrastructure and inclusive access to the outdoors.

 

Key initiatives include new trail systems and access projects. Two gravity-oriented trail experiences are in the works, one in Mena in the Ouachita Mountains and one in Bella Vista in the Ozark Mountains.

 

The Trails at Mena will feature a mountain bike lift—a gravity-fed system similar to ski lifts—bringing users to the top of backcountry trails where the descent is the focus. When complete, it will be the largest lift-served mountain bike park in the world, built from the ground up exclusively for biking, with no ski infrastructure or legacy constraints. The park will be designed entirely for two wheels and will operate 365 days a year. The project is a model for public-private collaboration among federal, state, and local partners. The experience will open new possibilities for riders and redefine access to backcountry experiences. With millions of residents within a three- to six-hour drive, Mena offers significant potential as a premier weekend destination for outdoor enthusiasts across the South-Central U.S.

 

Similar in concept, the Oz Trails Bella Vista Bike Park will offer chairlift-served downhill mountain biking, marking a significant expansion of Northwest Arkansas’ cycling infrastructure. At the heart of the park, the OZ Trails HQ will establish a new social hub for both active participants and casual visitors. Beyond cycling, the park will feature an integrated hiking trail and art walk, creating moments of discovery throughout the property.

 

Another significant biking development currently underway is the expansion of the Delta Heritage Trail, a rail-to-trail conversion opening up new tourism opportunities across the Arkansas Delta. Additionally, an investment in conservation and trail infrastructure is forthcoming for the Maumelle Pinnacles Conservation Area in central Arkansas.

 

In a step toward greater accessibility, Arkansas State Parks is introducing Action Trackchairs – advanced all-terrain wheelchairs – at select state parks so individuals with mobility challenges can fully enjoy the natural beauty and trails once out of reach.

 

Also within Arkansas State Parks are the Arkansas Monument Trails, which “Outside Magazine” named the best mountain biking in the U.S. in 2023. This world-class network of shared-use trails is professionally crafted by some of the world’s best trail builders. Monument Trails are woven into the landscape of Arkansas State Parks to highlight unique terrain, historic landmarks, and scenic vistas to users of all skill levels looking for a meaningful experience in nature.

 

Arkansas’ momentum is perhaps most visible in Bentonville, the Mountain Biking Capital of the World. Home to the U.S. National Mountain Bike Team since 2022, Bentonville offers more than 70 miles of trails within city limits and connects to 400 miles throughout Northwest Arkansas. Athletes train here year-round for global competitions, including the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics.

 

What sets Arkansas apart isn’t just the scale of its trail systems, but the vision behind them. A unique blend of public and private partnerships is fueling growth across the state, creating spaces that welcome everyone, from elite athletes to families seeking their next outdoor memory.

 

The Natural State has long been known for its exceptional outdoor offerings and rich conservation history.  Congress established Hot Springs Reservation in 1832 to protect the springs flowing from Hot Springs Mountain. Now named Hot Springs National Park, it’s the oldest National Park Service site, predating Yellowstone by 40 years. The Buffalo River was named America’s first national river in 1972, allowing it to remain free-flowing and protecting towering limestone bluffs, woodlands, wilderness areas and wildlife. And, Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place in the world where the public can search for real diamonds and keep what they find. A 3.81-carat diamond was found earlier this year.

 

These iconic sites helped define Arkansas’ outdoor identity. Now, a new generation of projects and leadership is elevating it.

 

Arkansas continues to invest in outdoor assets that drive both economic growth and quality of life. From its strategic planning to its pioneering partnerships, The Natural State is shaping the future of outdoor tourism, where conservation, access and adventure go hand in hand.