About Slaughter Pen Trail

Slaughter Pen Trail is the original Bentonville, Arkansas mountain bike system and still one of the best, sitting just off the downtown square. It’s the trail network that put Bentonville on the map, and because the paved greenway runs right through it, you can ride from the square onto dirt in a couple of minutes.

Trail details

Slaughter Pen has more than 30 miles of trail spread across several connected phases, and there’s something for every level here. You’ll find smooth beginner singletrack, flowy intermediate trails, and advanced gravity lines and features. Standouts include The Castle, a stone-and-iron structure built for rip-and-repeat gravity laps, The Masterpiece, a rideable piece of trail art built with metal and concrete, and the Slaughter Pen skills park for working on progression.

It’s mostly natural-surface singletrack with purpose-built features mixed in. This is a great first stop if you’re new to Bentonville riding.

The park / where it is

The system starts near the Compton Gardens entrance close to downtown Bentonville and stretches north toward Bella Vista. The paved Razorback Regional Greenway threads through the whole thing, giving you easy access to all the phases and connecting the trails to town.

Parking is easy: use the downtown Bentonville parking garage, the Bark Park, Slaughter Pen North parking or the NE A Street lot. Because it’s right in town, you’re never far from restrooms, water, coffee and food.

Connected & nearby trails

Slaughter Pen sits at the center of the Bentonville network, so it pairs with almost everything.

  • Crystal Bridges Trails connect directly to Slaughter Pen and downtown via the paved trails, and the museum is free.
  • Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is the bigger, more gravity-focused system on the west side of town.
  • North Bentonville Trail is the paved greenway segment that carries you north out of the Slaughter Pen area toward Bella Vista.
  • Little Sugar in Bella Vista is a natural next step for more miles a little farther north.

Know before you go

Trails ride best when they’re dry, so give them a day after heavy rain and stay off muddy dirt. The system is popular and can be busy on weekends, so keep an eye out for other riders, runners and walkers, especially near the greenway. Because you’re in town, it’s an easy place to bring the family and mix greener trails with the skills park before anyone tackles the harder stuff.

Frequently asked questions

Is Slaughter Pen good for beginners?

Yes. Slaughter Pen has trails for every level, from smooth beginner singletrack and the paved greenway to advanced gravity lines. Beginners can stick to the greener trails and the skills park, then work up from there.

How many miles of trail are at Slaughter Pen?

Slaughter Pen has more than 30 miles of trail spread across several phases, from beginner-friendly singletrack to advanced gravity and skills features.

Where do I park for Slaughter Pen?

There are several options, including the downtown Bentonville parking garage, the Bark Park, Slaughter Pen North parking and the NE A Street lot. The system starts near Compton Gardens close to downtown and runs north toward Bella Vista.

What is The Castle at Slaughter Pen?

The Castle is a stone-and-iron structure built for short gravity-fed laps, the kind of feature you can rip and repeat. Slaughter Pen also has trail art like The Masterpiece and a dedicated skills park for progression.

Can I ride from downtown Bentonville to the trails?

Yes. The Razorback Greenway, a paved multi-use path, runs right through Slaughter Pen and connects it to downtown and to Crystal Bridges, so you can roll from the square straight onto dirt.