My husband and I visited the new downhill park in Bella Vista, AR this morning. It is very exciting.
We did not ride the park today because our main focus for this trip to Bentonville is for the Big Sugar gravel ride. But we have been so curious about this new park. We had to go check it out. And as a reminder, I don’t ride. I am always only interested in how parks function in relation to how non-riding parents and guardians manage a trip with riding kids.
From a Downhillfamily.com perspective, it checks all of the boxes for me for a family day trip: It is open 5 days a week* year round with closures due to rain and/or ice storms and/or lightening; there is ample and easy parking; places for Mom or Dad to sit and work remotely while kids ride; access to food, bathrooms, great retail. There is a grocery right across the street from the park entrance. Ticketing was easy. I did not notice bike washing stations, but I also forgot to look for them. There are bikes for rent on location as well as at several bike rental shops throughout the area. There are a ton of bike rack space at the park..
There is private and group lessons available. I didn’t check the prices out though. I was just too excited about the park.
The trail maps are nice. I especially like that they spell out a progression. I have a theory that this type of added detail helps keep beginning riders safe (although it’s an untested theory).
They have a very robust patrol team that are actual Bella Vista municipal first responders that are part of the local fire response. The patrollers are nice and approachable. They are right across the street from an ER. Trauma cases are airlifted to either Little Rock, AR or Springfield, MO.
In keeping with the artsy vibe of the greater NWA area, the park has this amazing bear sculpture at the top right as you get off the lift.
The view of the surrounding rolling countryside is unique in that the sky is expansive like it is above the plains of Kansas which are just northwest of Bella Vista, but the terrain is rolling and mountainous and vibrant with fall colors like the Ozarks which are jammed up to the east and south of Bella Vista. It’s remarkable also, to get off of a chair lift and not feel the pinch of high altitude, to be relaxed in ample oxygen under the shade of huge mature oak trees, the type of trees that simply couldn’t exist at high altitude. It makes for a wonderful atmosphere for families to ride downhill.
And, yes, there are a lot of families riding together at this park. I met families from Oklahoma, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan and Kansas. From what I can tell, the green runs swing out wide and offer what appears to be long runs of flowy fun beginner trails. For very young siblings and non-riding family members, there are hiking trails that lead from the base to the top. It’s $10 for a one-time scenic chair lift ride for non-bikers.
I don’t feel comfortable writing about the trails themselves at this point as we have not tried them out on bikes yet. But we’ll definitely plan some trips to bring our kids out here. However, below are photos of the more advanced trails that run the length of the chair lift line. They look like a jump park. I think my kids would love this place.
*This park is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
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