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Bella Vista, Arkansas — already a nationally recognized destination for mountain bikers — is about to add a game-changing new attraction to its growing network of world-class cycling amenities: the OZ Trails Bike Park.
Plans are officially moving forward for what will be the first lift-served mountain bike park in Northwest Arkansas, right in Bella Vista's backyard. This ambitious project brings together some of the most prominent local outdoor recreation players to create a truly unique, year-round cycling experience.
🚧 The Location: Right Off Bella Vista Way
The OZ Trails Bike Park is being built on approximately 190 acres of land directly off US Highway 71 (Bella Vista Way) — specifically across from Sonic Drive-In and the Sugar Creek Shopping Center. Locals have already noticed extensive land clearing in the area, and early development activity is well underway.
The location is strategically positioned just north of the Arkansas Welcome Center near the Bella Vista/Bentonville city line. This places the new bike park right at the convergence point of Bella Vista’s Little Sugar trail system, Bentonville’s world-famous OZ Trails network, and the Razorback Greenway — making it a hub for regional cycling access.
🏗️ Construction Timeline
The project officially enters its construction phase in spring 2025, with an anticipated opening sometime in 2026. While an official groundbreaking ceremony has not yet been publicly announced, equipment and land clearing suggest full-scale development has already begun behind the scenes.
This build represents one of the largest new trail construction projects in Northwest Arkansas since the initial launch of the OZ Trails system, which has already transformed the region into a global mountain biking destination.
🎢 The Chairlift: Poma-Leitner Technology
The most distinctive feature of the new OZ Trails Bike Park is its high-speed detachable quad chairlift manufactured by Poma-Leitner, a global leader in mountain lift systems.
The chairlift will allow riders to bypass the typical pedal-up climbs and instead access over 20 miles of gravity-fed downhill trails by simply loading their bikes and themselves onto the lift for a quick ride to the top. Unlike many other bike parks across the country, this system will operate year-round, making it one of the only four-season lift-served bike parks in the central United States.
🚵 Trail Design and Park Features
The trails themselves are being developed by some of the most respected names in the mountain bike industry, including:
Gravity Logic
Rock Solid Trail Contracting
Crafton Tull (engineering)
Hufft (architecture and park design)
Together, these firms are designing a complete range of trail experiences for all rider levels — from first-timers to professional downhill racers.
In addition to the extensive trail network, the park will also feature:
The OZ Trails HQ lodge with full-service dining
A complete bike shop and rental center
A community plaza for events and social gatherings
A large pump track for skill building and warm-ups
A dedicated hiking trail for non-bikers
Public art installations and gathering spaces built into the landscape
💡 Powered by OZ Trails and the Runway Group
The project is being spearheaded by The Runway Group, owned by Walton family members, who have played a huge role in transforming Northwest Arkansas into one of the country’s premier outdoor adventure regions. The new Bella Vista lift park represents the next major phase of their vision for OZ Trails, pushing the area even closer toward international cycling prominence.
🌎 Economic & Community Impact
Bella Vista Mayor John Flynn has emphasized that this development is not just for tourists but will also provide meaningful economic and quality-of-life benefits for local residents. Increased tourism, additional jobs, expanded outdoor access, and new local businesses are all expected as this next-generation cycling destination comes online.
The new OZ Trails Bike Park will position Bella Vista alongside world-renowned mountain bike resorts in places like Colorado, Utah, and British Columbia — but right here in the beautiful hills of the Ozarks.
📅 What’s Next
Over the coming months, local residents and visitors alike can expect to see rapid progress at the site. The addition of heavy machinery, grading work, and early infrastructure installation will soon give shape to what is sure to become one of the most unique bike parks in the country.
For ongoing updates, trail maps, renderings, and project news, you can follow official releases from OZ Trails.
Bella Vista is already one of the best places in the country to ride a mountain bike — but when this new bike lift opens, it may well become the best.
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