About Lake Leatherwood City Park
Lake Leatherwood City Park in Eureka Springs is a 1,600-acre gem and one of the best all-around mountain bike destinations in Northwest Arkansas. It combines a huge cross-country network around a scenic lake with a dedicated downhill gravity zone, so it covers just about every style of riding in one place.
Trail details
The park has a large cross-country trail network – on the order of 20-plus miles – that winds through the hillsides around Lake Leatherwood, built up over two decades largely through volunteer effort. Difficulty ranges from beginner-friendly flowing trails to technical, rocky descents. Separately, there is a downhill-specific gravity zone with around seven downhill lines, each roughly a mile long, served by a paid shuttle so you can lap the descents. Those gravity trails climb to expert features including big jumps and drops, making Leatherwood a real draw for downhill and gravity riders in the Midwest.
The park – where it is
Lake Leatherwood is at 1303 CR 204 in Eureka Springs, just minutes from the town’s famous Victorian downtown. Beyond biking, the park offers fishing and boating on the lake, a historic 1940s limestone dam built by the WPA, hiking, cabins, and camping – so it is easy to make a weekend of it. The bike park area operates on daytime hours, so check timing before you go, especially if you want to use the shuttle.
Connected & nearby trails
Eureka Springs has two must-ride systems, and Leatherwood pairs perfectly with the other.
- Great Passion Play / Marble Flats – the town’s other big destination, with 22-plus miles including a NICA cross-country loop and a rowdy gravity zone.
- Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area – a big backcountry singletrack system on the way back toward Rogers, great for a longer cross-country ride.
Know before you go
Ride spring through fall and avoid the trails when they are wet – the rocky descents get slick and the dirt is fragile after rain. If you want to lap the gravity zone, plan around the shuttle schedule and the park’s daytime hours, and consider pads and a full-face helmet for those lines. Beginners should stick to the flowing cross-country loops around the lake. Bring water, and take advantage of the lake and camping to make it a full trip.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Lake Leatherwood City Park and how much trail is there?
Lake Leatherwood is a 1,600-acre city park with a large cross-country trail network – on the order of 20-plus miles – plus a dedicated downhill gravity zone. It is one of the biggest single-park trail systems in Northwest Arkansas.
Is there a shuttle for the downhill trails?
Yes. The gravity zone has around seven downhill lines, roughly a mile each, served by a paid shuttle so you can lap the descents without pedaling back up. The cross-country network is ride-as-you-go.
Is Lake Leatherwood good for beginners?
Yes, the park has terrain for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly flowing cross-country trails to technical rocky descents and expert gravity features. Beginners can stick to the mellower XC loops around the lake.
Where is Lake Leatherwood and where do I park?
It is at 1303 CR 204 in Eureka Springs, just minutes from downtown. There is parking at the park, and the bike park area generally operates on daytime hours, so plan around them – especially if you want to use the shuttle.
What else is at the park besides biking?
Plenty. Lake Leatherwood has a lake for fishing and boating, a historic 1940s WPA limestone dam, hiking, cabins, and camping – so it works well for a whole weekend, not just a ride.
