Slaughter Pen Freeride Zone

The OG jump line at Slaughter Pen

Mountain Biking Extreme

Distance: 2.1 km
Ascent: 19 m
Descent: 19 m
Duration: 0-1 hrs

Low Point: 323 m
High Point: 343 m
Gradient: 1˚

In many ways, the Slaughter Pen's freeride zone is the matriarch that gave birth to the entire world-class trail system that now surrounds Bentonville, Arkansas. The OG jump lines in Northwest Arkansas proved that top-notch trails will indeed draw in mountain bikers from across the country and around the world, and that demand for professionally-built trails and big jumps is huge... even in Arkansas.

Photo from Slaughter Pen Freeride Zone — Photo: Bob Robinson

Description

This freeride zone hasn't lapsed into obscurity. Instead, it has been well-maintained over the years. The lips on the jumps get re-cut and the berms get re-buffed every few years. Today, the Freeride Zone is still home to some of the most vertical lips in all of Northwest Arkansas. If you're a true dirt jumper looking for vertical take-offs and gapped 6-packs, this is the place to go.

There's also an easier line available in this zone, as well as a progressive set of box drops. The 3-set of box drops ramps all the way up to a burly huck that would suit as big of a freeride bike as you can find.

While Bentonville now offers taller, faster, and flowier downhill-style jump trails, the OG Freeride Zone is still a crowd pleaser and still sees a constant stream of traffic every day of the week. Head on out to Slaughter Pen and test your mettle on these hits!

Difficulty

Extreme

Very steep, difficult, narrow singletrack with widely variable and unpredictable trail conditions. Unavoidable obstacles could be 15in/38cm tall or greater, and unavoidable obstacles with serious consequences are likely to be present. Obstacles could include big rocks, difficult root sections, drops, jumps, sharp switchbacks, and more. Ideal for expert-level riders.

High Exposure

Some trail sections have exposed ledges or steep ascents/descents where falling could cause serious injury.

Remoteness

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

Features

Similar routes nearby

1 m away

Slaughter Pen Phase II - West

More old school single track that flows along the hillside then switches back up the hillside for short climbs and descent.

Difficult Mountain Biking

Distance: 7.1 km
Ascent: 99 m
Descent: 99 m

2 m away

Medieval Loop

A fast intermediate jump line with surprisingly big hits.

Moderate Mountain Biking

Distance: 4.6 km
Ascent: 61 m
Descent: 61 m

2 m away

Dragon Scales Loop

A rock slab-filled black diamond descent.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 4.2 km
Ascent: 57 m
Descent: 57 m

159 m away

Inner Armadillo's Last Stand

Armadillo’s Last Stand and Tatamagouche Trails are both twisting, turning, undulating trails within the Outer Loop trail of Phase I.

Difficult Mountain Biking

Distance: 1.6 km
Ascent: 38 m
Descent: 34 m

370 m away

Slaughter Pen Phase I - Outer Loop

Slaughter Pen Trails Phase I crisscrosses the hillside with several old-school trails packed with short climbs, wooden bridges, sharp banked turns, and a short downhill run packed with many fun features.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 6.3 km
Ascent: 106 m
Descent: 106 m

1.2 km away

Inner Tatamgouche

Tatamagouche Trails and Armadillo’s Last Stand are both twisting, turning, undulating trails within the Outer Loop trail of Phase I.

Severe Mountain Biking

Distance: 2.6 km
Ascent: 32 m
Descent: 54 m

1.6 km away

Little Sugar Epic

Make the most of this incredible trail system with this long-distance loop.

Difficult Mountain Biking

Distance: 58 km
Ascent: 1.3 km
Descent: 1.3 km

1.6 km away

Slaughter Pen Phase II - East

Slaughter Pen Phase II East is a set of narrow rocky trails that will challenge your handling skills and provide a feeling of accomplishment after riding them.

Severe Mountain Biking