This summer, cyclist Payson McElveen traveled to the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™ to ride all its trails in one day. A part of his YouTube channel, Payson and his team filmed Trail Town: Bentonville, in which they checked out the various OZ Trails systems that both Bentonville and Bella Vista have to offer.

There are more than 140 miles of mountain biking trails in Bentonville and Bella Vista, Arkansas, with miles being added every week. To tackle every trail in one day took months of preparations for Payson. In 2019, Payson accomplished riding all of Durango, Colorado’s mountain biking trails in one day.

“It gave me a completely new appreciation for my backyard and gave me a totally new understanding of my hometown.” - Payson McElveen

With this new perspective, Payson started thinking of other mountain biking towns in the country and whether he could conquer riding those in one day. Proclaimed as the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™️, Bentonville, Arkansas, immediately came to Payson’s mind.

“To me, riding a bike is the single best way to actually get to know a place.” - Payson McElveen

After seventeen and a half hours, Payson completed riding all 140+ miles of mountain biking trails.

Now, it’s your turn.

Payson invites ambitious cyclists to ride all of Bentonville and Bella Vista’s trails on their own time. While you are more than welcome to, you do not have to complete the course all in one day.

At the end of the year, two winners will be selected to take home a $1,500 shopping spree at Osprey Packs, a three-year supply of Orange Seal tire sealant, a Smith Trace helmet and Shift Mag glasses, Hammerhead Karoo 2 bike computer, GU Energy ride food, and a $100 gift card to The HUB Bike Lounge in Bentonville, Arkansas.

The Rules:

  1. Ride all the Mountain Biking Capital of the World’s™️ trails by the end of the year.
  2. Document your journey on Instagram with the hashtag #BentonvilleTrailChallenge or email theadventure@paysonmcelveen.com about your experience. The most creative and compelling story will win.
  3. Finally, join the Bentonville Trail Challenge STRAVA Club to prove your progress. Ride as much of every trail as you can, even new ones that are being added.
“Now the joke is, as you ride all these trails, they’re going to be building trails. Before you stop for the day, you got to go ride the new stuff. There’s two to three miles a week, depending what time of year it is, that’s how many trails are being built.” - Gary Vernon, Program Officer, Walton Family Foundation

To watch Payson’s full journey through the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™️, you can view his YouTube video, Trail Town: Bentonville

Plan your trip to the Mountain Biking Capital of The World™

Resources

Restaurants

Lodging

Flights

If driving isn't an option, there are plenty of direct flights into XNA: Chicago, Ill.; Austin, Texas; Miami, Fla.; and Denver, Colo, to name a few!

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

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