Riding Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville: Trails, Jump Lines, and What to Expect
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele
I was recently in Bentonville and spent a good amount of time at Coler — riding the trails and also walking my dog, Chloe, along the paved road that runs through the middle of the preserve. Being there for more than just a quick ride made it easier to understand the place as a whole.
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is one of the two main mountain bike trail systems in Bentonville, Arkansas. It’s the one built around flow trails, jump lines, tech features, and a coffee stop — all inside a relatively compact riding area.
This guide covers what Coler is like to ride, how the terrain is laid out, which trails stand out, and how it fits into Bentonville’s larger mountain biking network.
What Is Coler Mountain Bike Preserve?
Coler Mountain Bike Preserve is a mountain bike area on the west side of Bentonville.
Compared to the more spread-out trail systems around Bentonville, Coler feels tighter and more contained. Trails are grouped into zones, connected by a paved road and access paths, so it’s easy to move between lines without long transitions.
You’ll find:
Flow trails with a lot of rhythm
Dedicated jump lines with progressive features
Some tech and more natural sections mixed in
Clear green, blue, and black groupings
Camping and cabins on-site
Airship, the coffee stop inside the trail system
Most people don’t just ride one trail here and leave. They lap things, repeat lines, watch other riders, then go back out and ride again.
It’s not about covering miles. It’s about how the riding feels.
How Coler Became a Trail System
Before it was a mountain bike preserve, Coler was a working farm.
The land was part of the Coler family property, used for agriculture for decades before being donated to the city as part of Bentonville’s broader effort to protect open space and invest in outdoor recreation. Over time, the property was reimagined and developed into what is now Coler Mountain Bike Preserve — a public riding area built specifically for mountain biking, camping, and outdoor use.
That history still shows up in the layout. The open clearings, the wide paved road through the center of the preserve, and the old barn near Airship all hint at Coler’s past as farmland. The trails themselves have been layered in more recently — shaped and refined over time into the flow lines, jump zones, and tech features that exist today.
Coler didn’t start as a trail system. It became one — and that evolution is part of why the preserve feels open, intentional, and purpose-built rather than squeezed into leftover space.
Trail Layout + Design
One of the covered structures near the central paved road at Coler.
Coler is designed to make it easy to move between very different types of riding. There’s a paved road that runs through the middle of the preserve, with trail access branching off on both sides, so you’re never very far from a climb, a descent, or a place to stop.
That layout makes it easy to mix longer loop rides with shorter, steeper lines in the same day — ride a loop, cross the road, ride something completely different, then repeat.
What ties it all together is the way the place is built. The bridges and structures share a simple, quiet design — weathered metal and wood, nothing flashy. Even the trail signs use that same rusted metal. And at each end of that central road, near the parking lots, there’s this calm, ambient music playing as you cross the bridges.
It’s subtle, but you notice it. It makes Coler feel less like a place you rush through and more like a place you settle into.
The Rise — A Walkable Landmark
Coler also has The Rise — a long stair climb that connects up toward the Hub. It’s about 185 steps (roughly 11 flights) and it’s meant for walkers and runners, not bikes. You feel it when you’re on foot, and it’s one of those odd little landmarks that people notice because it’s right there tucked into the trail network. It doesn’t affect most rides, but it’s worth knowing about if you ever explore the preserve on foot or find yourself near the Hub.
The XC-Style Loops
After spending some time riding at Coler, the trails fall into two main buckets. One is more XC-style, where you can make a longer ride by connecting loops. The other is the hub of downhill and jump lines — where you’ll find Drop the Hammer.
Esther’s Loop (Green | ~4 miles)
Esther’s is one of my favorite trails at Coler. It’s a longer green loop with a nice rhythm — flowing sections, a few short punchy climbs, and a lot of well-shaped berms. It stays interesting without being overwhelming, and it’s easy to settle into a pace and just ride.
There are a few rock sections mixed in, but nothing that breaks the flow. It’s a great trail for warming up, cooling down, or just getting in a longer lap.
Oscar’s Loop (Blue)
Oscar’s Loop is more challenging and more technical. It’s rockier, tighter, and more demanding — and in a good way. It’s one of those trails that always feels like a bit of a project. This is my favorite trail at Coler.
Trail sign for Oscar’s Loop along one of the XC-style routes at Coler.
You can ride sections of Oscar’s, but riding the full loop clean is the real goal. It’s still on my personal checklist to ride the entire trail without dabbing or getting off the bike. #goals.
Let’s not forget Coler does offer some very technical black and double-black runs like Here’s Johnny and Copperhead Road.
The Downhill + Jump Hub
This is the other side of Coler — the part most people picture when they think about the preserve.
This area is built around downhill trails, jump lines, and feature-heavy descents. It’s where you’ll find Drop the Hammer and Fireline, along with riding that has bigger features and steeper lines. While I was there, it looked like they were either building a new trail or doing trail maintenance in this area.
This zone is less about distance and more about repetition: ride down, climb or shuttle back up, repeat. It’s where riders’ sessions feature building confidence and gradually stepping up to harder lines. I watched these guys lap Drop the Hammer over and over like it was no big deal. They were clearly having fun.
Even if you’re not riding the biggest trails here, it’s a place where you end up stopping and watching other riders for a while.
Airship at Coler — The Mid-Ride Coffee Stop
Airship at Coler, the open-air café and gathering space inside the preserve.
Airship at Coler is an open-air café located directly inside the trail system, accessible only by bike or foot. It’s a place people stop between laps.
It’s a place to walk in off the trail mid-ride, grab a coffee, a beer, or a snack, and sit outside for a while — watching riders roll through, listening to the forest, and just being in the middle of it all.
Camping at Coler
Coler Campground sits right next to the preserve and offers tent sites and small cabins tucked into the trees. It’s one of the only places in Bentonville where you can camp and ride directly from your site.
It’s quiet, shaded, and removed just enough from the main riding area to feel calm at night while still being fully connected during the day.
I tried to camp here because I liked that there’s a gate to get in, which felt safer. But they don’t allow dogs — so it didn’t end up being an option for me.
Using Trailforks at Coler
Trailforks is useful at Coler for:
Understanding trail difficulty and direction
Linking loops together efficiently
Checking trail conditions after rain
Navigating between Coler and nearby systems like Slaughter Pen
Offline maps are helpful if you’re riding without cell service or planning longer days linking multiple trail systems.
Final Thoughts
Coler is the kind of place that sticks with you. The variety, the layout, the mid-trail coffee stop—it all comes together to make this more than just a ride. Whether you’re sessioning a jump line, cruising with friends, or rolling solo before sunset, it’s easy to see why Coler is a local favorite and a must-ride for visitors.
If you’re coming to Bentonville, make time for Coler. And when you do, don’t rush it. This zone rewards riders who stick around.
Check Out More Articles and YouTube Videos About Oz Trails and Bentonville Riding
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares gear she uses on trips — from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to the Ozarks. She values quality and craftsmanship in everything she buys, from outdoor gear to everyday clothes and furniture. Her choices may seem expensive to some, but she believes in buying less and buying better. Longevity matters, both in terms of function and style. Her couch is five years old and still sold at Design Within Reach — that’s the kind of timelessness she looks for.
Some of the links in this review are affiliate links, which means she may earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support her work. She only recommends gear she’d bring herself.
