About Crystal Bridges Trail
The Crystal Bridges Trails wrap around Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, and they’re more about an easy, scenic roll or walk than hard mountain biking. The paved trails double as a connector between the downtown square and the Slaughter Pen dirt, all threaded past outdoor sculpture and Ozark woods.
Trail details
The museum campus has about 4.7 miles of trails across 134 acres. The most useful for riders is the paved Crystal Bridges Trail, a multi-use path that drops through Compton Gardens with artwork on both sides and links the museum to downtown and to the Slaughter Pen trailheads. There are also nature trails like the Art Trail, Tulip Tree and Crystal Spring that are softer surface and lean more toward walking.
This isn’t a technical mountain bike destination, and that’s the point. It’s easy, family-friendly, and a beautiful way to connect the museum with the rest of the trail network.
The park / where it is
The trails belong to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, just north of downtown Bentonville. General admission to the museum is free, and so are the grounds. You can park and lock your bike at the museum, walk in to see the collection, and then ride the trails, all for free.
The museum buildings have set hours and are typically closed one day a week, but the outdoor trails are open more broadly. Restrooms, water and a cafe are available at the museum.
Connected & nearby trails
Crystal Bridges is best used as a link between town and the dirt.
- Slaughter Pen Trail connects directly to the Crystal Bridges paths, so you can roll from the museum straight onto singletrack.
- North Bentonville Trail is the paved greenway heading north, giving you a longer, low-stress ride out of the area.
- Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is a short ride or drive away when you want the bigger mountain bike system.
Know before you go
Ride at a relaxed pace here, the trails are busy with walkers, families and museum visitors, so yield and keep your speed down. The paved trail is fine on any bike, including a cruiser or hybrid. Bring a lock so you can step inside the museum. Weekends and nice-weather afternoons are the busiest, and spring and fall are the prettiest times to go.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bike the Crystal Bridges trails?
Yes, bikes are allowed. The paved Crystal Bridges Trail is a multi-use path that connects the museum grounds to downtown Bentonville and to the Slaughter Pen trailheads. Some of the softer nature and art trails are better suited to walking.
How many miles of trail are at Crystal Bridges?
The Crystal Bridges campus has about 4.7 miles of trails winding through 134 acres, including the paved Crystal Bridges Trail, the Art Trail, and nature trails like Tulip Tree and Crystal Spring.
Is the museum free?
Yes. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has free general admission, and the surrounding trails and outdoor sculptures are free to enjoy as well. You can park and lock your bike and walk in.
How do the trails connect to the rest of Bentonville?
The paved Crystal Bridges Trail links the museum to downtown Bentonville and to the Slaughter Pen mountain bike trails, so it works as an easy, scenic connector between the square and the dirt.
Are dogs allowed on the Crystal Bridges trails?
Leashed dogs are generally welcome on the outdoor trails, though they aren’t allowed inside the museum buildings. Keep them leashed and clean up after them, since the trails are busy with walkers and families.
