FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Runway Group Email: media@runwaynwa.com
OZ TRAILS™ BIKE PARK ANNOUNCES JUNE 12 OPENING DATE
Arkansas’s First Lift-Served Mountain Bike Park Opens This Summer
BELLA VISTA, Ark. — OZ Trails™ today announced that the OZ Trails Bike Park will officially open on June 12, 2026, welcoming riders of all levels to the state’s first chairlift-served mountain bike park. Located at Highway 71 and Mercy Way on the Bentonville-Bella Vista border, the park is developed by Runway Group and represents the next chapter in Northwest Arkansas’s transformation into a globally recognized cycling destination. The opening coincides with Bentonville Bike Fest 2026, the Mid-South’s largest cycling festival, when thousands of riders gather in Bentonville.
“For the first time in Arkansas history, riders can load a chairlift and drop into world-class gravity trails, right here in the Ozarks,” said Gary Vernon, General Manager of OZ Trails Bike Park. “What we’ve built is something this state has never seen, and we can’t wait to open the gates on June 12.”
World-Class Trails for Every Rider
The OZ Trails Bike Park will feature more than 20 miles of purpose-built gravity trails, color-coded by difficulty from beginner-friendly green runs to double-black-diamond lines, served by a state-of-the-art Poma-Leitner high-speed quad chairlift providing year-round lift access. Approximately 75 percent of trails are designed with beginners and everyday riders in mind, with optional features that keep lines interesting for advanced riders as well.
More Than a Bike Park
The OZ Trails Bike Park is designed for everyone, not just riders. From scenic lift rides, art, and hiking to a full-service restaurant and bar, the park is a destination for the whole community. The OZ Trails HQ will serve as the social hub of the park, offering:
- full-service restaurant and bar
- Bike rentals and a retail shop
- A bike school and pro-led instruction
- A pump track and dirt jump zone
- Large-scale art installations
- Private event and gathering spaces
The HQ and grounds will be free and open to the public.
The park’s full-service restaurant and bar, Ozzy’s Ride and Dine, features a rooftop deck overlooking the bike lift and will be operated by Luke Wetzel and Mollie Mullis, the team behind some of Northwest Arkansas’s most beloved dining destinations, including Oven and Tap, Superfine, and Townie.
A New Era for Northwest Arkansas
The OZ Trails Bike Park adds a defining amenity to a region already home to world-renowned trail systems including Slaughter Pen, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, and the Back 40, further cementing Northwest Arkansas as an unrivaled destination for cyclists of every discipline and ability.
Information about daily and yearly passes will be available soon. Subscribe to the OZ Trails newsletter at oztrails.com to be the first to hear when passes go on sale.
Media interested in a site visit and interview opportunity ahead of opening day are invited to attend a media preview on Friday, March 20. See the advisory below for details.
About OZ Trails Bike Park OZ Trails Bike Park is Arkansas’s first chairlift-served mountain bike park, located at Highway 71 and Mercy Way on the Bentonville-Bella Vista border. Featuring more than 20 miles of purpose-built gravity trails for all skill levels, a Poma-Leitner high-speed quad chairlift, and the OZ Trails HQ social hub, the park opens June 12, 2026.
About OZ Trails OZ Trails™ is the steward of Northwest Arkansas’s world-renowned trail network, encompassing 550+ miles of shared-use trails across the region. OZ Trails celebrates the spirit of adventure that runs deep through the Ozark Mountains, connecting riders, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts with world-class terrain and a welcoming community.
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MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Runway Group Email: media@runwaynwa.com
MEDIA INVITED: OZ TRAILS BIKE PARK PREVIEW AND LIFT RIDE
WHO: OZ Trails and Runway Group
WHAT: Media are invited for an exclusive preview of the OZ Trails Bike Park ahead of its June 12 opening, including b-roll opportunities, interviews with park leadership, and a ride on the chairlift.
WHEN: Friday, March 20, 2026 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: OZ Trails Bike Park Highway 71 and Mercy Way Bella Vista, Arkansas
SCHEDULE:
2:30 p.m. — Arrival
2:30 – 2:50 p.m. — B-roll opportunities
2:50 – 3:15 p.m. — Interviews available with Gary Vernon (General Manager), Scott Crowell (Director of Lift Operations), and Joel Feemster (Patrol Director)
3:20 – 3:45 p.m. — Lift rides
4:00 p.m. — Event concludes
Please park in the east parking lot, to the left when entering off Mercy Way. Please wear closed-toe shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.
RSVP by March 19 to media@runwaynwa.com.
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