About Thaden School Bike Park
Thaden School Bike Park in Bentonville, Arkansas is home to a smooth asphalt pump track that’s open to the public after school and on weekends. It’s a fun, low-commitment place to work on your bike-handling and learn how to carry speed without pedaling.
Trail details
The centerpiece is a paved Velosolutions asphalt pump track — a continuous loop of rollers and banked turns you ride by pumping the terrain instead of pedaling. The berms and rollers here run fairly deep with sharper angles, which makes it a great skills builder but a bit much for the very youngest pedal-bike riders. There’s also an adjacent dirt track that opens things up for different skill levels.
It’s not a mountain bike trail system, and there’s no singletrack — think of it as a skills spot. Any bike with decent tires works, and it’s popular with mountain bikers, BMX riders, and even skateboards and scooters.
The park / where it is
The pump track sits on the Thaden School campus on the south side of Bentonville, near the school’s landmark red barn. Because it’s on school grounds, public access is limited to after school hours and weekends — during the school day it’s used by students. Park in the campus lot and be respectful of the property and any posted rules. Bring your own water; this is a compact spot, not a full park.
Connected & nearby trails
Pair a pump-track session with dirt riding just minutes away. Slaughter Pen Trail is the go-to downtown Bentonville flow network, and Coler Mountain Bike Preserve adds progression jumps and features. If you’re riding with young kids, the Bentonville Bike Playground and the easy loops at Wolf Park are gentler places to build confidence.
Know before you go
Time your visit for after school, evenings, or weekends, and check that the track isn’t in use for a school event. Asphalt rides best when it’s dry — give it time to dry out after rain. Wear a helmet, take turns and keep the flow going with other riders, and watch for skaters and scooters sharing the surface. It’s a good idea to session the pump track first, then roll over to Slaughter Pen to put those new skills to work on dirt.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Thaden School pump track open to the public?
Yes. The pump track sits on Thaden School’s campus but is open to the public after school hours and on weekends. During the school day it’s used by students, so plan your visit for late afternoon, evening, or weekends.
What is the surface of the Thaden pump track?
It’s a paved asphalt pump track, built by Velosolutions. The smooth surface works for mountain bikes, BMX, skateboards, and scooters, and it rides well year-round as long as it’s dry.
Is the Thaden pump track good for beginners?
It’s a great place to learn to pump and generate speed without pedaling, but the berms and rollers are fairly deep and sharp, which can be a lot for the youngest pedal-bike riders. There’s also an adjacent dirt track that suits a range of skill levels.
Where is the Thaden School Bike Park and where do I park?
It’s on the Thaden School campus on the south side of Bentonville, near the large red barn. Use the campus parking and be respectful of school property and any posted signs.
Do I need a mountain bike to ride the pump track?
No. Any bike with good tires works, and plenty of people ride BMX bikes here. A hardtail or a bike you don’t mind bumping around on is ideal, since a pump track is all about flow rather than suspension.
