Guest blog and photos by: Trail Sisters NWA

Trail Sisters is an organization focused on increasing women’s participation and opportunity in hiking and trail running. The founder, Gina Lucrezi, saw a lack of female representation in the outdoor space and created the Trail Sisters online journal to inspire, empower, and educate women about trail running and hiking. The organization fosters connections among women who are passionate about exploring the outdoors, which was furthered by the creation of local groups.

 

 

Trail Sisters Northwest Arkansas started in February 2022 and is one of over 160 local group chapters. The group hosts free, no-drop runs and hikes across NWA, fostering relationships and building camaraderie between community members. The ‘no drop’ aspect of the events is emphasized at every event to ensure that no one is left behind or lost and to encourage women of all abilities to participate.

 

 

Trail Sisters NWA hosts at least one run and one hike a month at local NWA trails, taking advantage of the incredible spaces we have for recreating including the Back 40 Trail System, Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, and Kessler Mountain. The group has also organized events focused on trail stewardship in partnership with other community organizations. Members can also get involved with community events by assisting with aid stations at local trail races.

More information about Trail Sisters and Trail Sisters NWA can be found on their website, which also serves as a hub of information that centers women’s voices and stories.

In 2024, Trail Sisters NWA will continue to organize bimonthly, no-drop trail adventures for women and trail stewardship activities. You can also find us hosting an aid station for the Styx & Stones Trail Races on March 30 at Devil’s Den State Park, or on Facebook and Instagram.

 

 

 

OZ Trails community,

When I think about where this started, trail builders like Dave Renko, Nathan Woodruff, and Don West from the early days come to mind. They strengthened my belief in the power of trails and in Arkansas becoming one of the great places in the world to ride. It started simply: a few hand-built trails, a lot of conviction, and a community willing to put in the effort to create something special.

OZ Trails was never just about bikes. It was about building a way of life around the outdoors — a place where families spend more time together, where people find clarity away from screens, and where visitors feel welcome. It proves that something world class can still feel local, personal, and rooted in the land.

For years, we dreamed about this park. We walked the land, studied what it could become, and kept coming back to the same idea: Northwest Arkansas deserved a bike park that matched the ambition of this community.

Now, we’ve built it.

OZ Trails Bike Park is where so much of that work comes together. It was created with trail builders who treat their work like a craft, supported by bike patrol so riders can feel confident, and shaped by a team that cares about the experience from the moment you arrive. I've been riding the park throughout development, and I finish every ride believing it will change how people progress and connect with each other.

Founding Membership is an invitation to the people who get it — the riders who know what time on trail does for you: clearing your head, building confidence, finding your people, and feeling a sense of pride in the place you ride. We want you here from day one. Membership is more than access. It helps set the tone for what this park becomes. The first members should be people who care about the culture, who welcome others in, and who believe this place can keep growing into something truly special.

As a father, I often think about watching my kids progress on these trails — starting on green, moving to blue, and then deciding they’re ready for black. It’s part of why we built this place the way we did — so families can show up, everyone has something to ride, and they can keep building the skills to take the next step.

Alongside Founding Membership, we’re also launching a Founding Family Membership for those who want to share this with the people they love.

Our Founding Memberships open today.

Come ride it. This place was built for you.

Upcoming Events

OZ, LOCAL, AND REGIONAL

Weekend Warm Up

March 7, 2025 - November 7, 2025

Level 2 Mountain Biking Fundamentals

11/1/2025, 11/22/2025

Mountain Biking: Intro to Drops

November 1, 2025

BVL Cyclocross Training Series

October 26, 2025 - November 16, 2025

Coler MTB Youth Class

September 10, 2025 - November 26, 2025

Purple Heart Gravel Ride

November 8, 2025

Arkansas Enduro Series presented by Monster Energy

November 21, 2025 - November 23, 2025

EXPLORE ALL EVENTS