Best Backcountry MTB Rides near Hot Springs NP

Head into the little-traveled backcountry of the Ouachita Mountains on these 3 long-distance trails.

Greg Heil

Images

Bikes witrh viewIMG_6443 (2).jpg
View from atop Hickory Mountain!

by Addie Teo

Licence Free

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Crek crossing, LOViT style.

by Addie Teo

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Small bike pic with viewIMG_8660 (2).jpg
Another great view!

by Addie Teo

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Lunch with friends and a view of Lake Ouachita!

by Addie Teo

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# 614 OC overall female winner Jessica Rawlins.JPG
# 614 OC overall female winner Jessica Rawlins leading the pack.

by Bob Robinson

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#42 Kevin Conerly overall OC winner in good postion at early water crossing.JPG
#42 Kevin Conerly overall OC winner in good postion at early water crossing.

by Bob Robinson

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Clay Hunter pulling away on descent at OC.jpg
Clay Hunter pulling away on descent at OC

by Bob Robinson

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Having some fun on the Womble.JPG
Having some fun on the Womble

by Bob Robinson

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Intense shot of heated competion thru forest of the Womble.JPG
Heated and intense competition thru forest of the OC.

by Bob Robinson

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Description

While Hot Springs National Park might be one of the smallest national parks in the USA, the trail system doesn't stop at the park boundaries. Just outside of this national park, an intricate network of singletrack has been constructed that provides some of the best mountain biking in Arkansas! While you can ride plenty of singletrack close to the town of Hot Springs, if you head deeper into the Ouachita Mountains, you'll discover three incredible backcountry mountain bike rides, all of which have been assigned the IMBA Epic designation!

The closest of these three epics to Hot Springs is the 38-mile Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, also known as the LOViT Trail. "The entire trail is classic singletrack, with roots, rocks, dense pine forests, and creek crossings," writes local mountain bike journalist Bob Robinson. "And none of these rocks were hauled in like some of the other trails in the region—Mother Nature put these rocks there just for our riding pleasure."

Next up, the Womble Trail is another 37-mile epic that traverses "steep, rocky climbs" on "narrow trails cut into the mountainside with intimidating drop-offs, and fun, flowy descents," according to Robinson. This IMBA Epic is highly-acclaimed and attracts riders from across the country!

One end of the Womble Trail connects to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. The 105-mile continuous section of the Ouachita NRT mapped here forms the longest mountain bike trail in the state of Arkansas, providing the perfect setting for an epic bikepacking adventure! Even better, combine the Womble Trail and the Ouachita NRT with some roads for a lollipop route of epic proportions.

Adventures

Lake Ouachita Vista Trail

The LOViT trail is a sweet IMBA Epic singletrack that has everything you’d want in a mountain bike ride.

Womble Trail

The Womble Trail is an IMBA Epic Trail that offers 37 miles of steep, rocky climbs; narrow trails cut into the mountainside with intimidating drop-offs; and fun, flowy descents.