Coler Mountain Bike Protect is one among my favourite locations to experience in Bentonville. Study what to anticipate earlier than heading on the market!
For those who requested me the place the very best mountain biking is in Bentonville, I’d need to say Coler Mountain Bike Protect. This comparatively small parcel of land is full of superior trails for all ranges and kinds of riders. From machine-built movement and leap trails (Fireline!) to one of many rockiest and techiest trails I’ve ever ridden (Right here’s Johnny), Coler is a one-stop store for mountain bikers.
It’s additionally only a cool place to hang around. There’s a 2-mile paved greenway that spans the size of the park, a motorcycle/hike-in-only espresso store, a peaceable river, a campground, and a few cool artwork sprinkled all through.
At any time when I’m mountain biking in Bentonville, I be sure that to spend at the very least a couple of days at Coler Mountain Bike Protect – in the future I’ll hit Drop The Hammer! For those who’re planning a visit to Bentonville, I share the whole lot it is advisable to learn about benefiting from your time at Coler.
Coler Mountain Bike Protect Map
The Coler Mountain Bike Protect is a part of the Peel Compton Basis, whose mission is to “join the group by means of nature, training, recreation, and preservation”. Additionally they personal and handle the Peel Museum & Botanical Gardens, Compton Gardens & Arboretum, Osage Park, and the Quiver Archery Vary.
Coler is situated about 8 minutes/2.3 miles west of downtown Bentonville. You’ll be able to bike there and if you happen to take third Road to the southside parking, there’s a protected bike lane.
10 Ideas for Using at Coler
1. Try The Hub
Most of Bentonville’s mountain bike path networks have a central hub that leads into an array of trails, however the Coler Hub might be essentially the most iconic. This alien-looking construction is situated on the high of North Coler and leads into the northside downhill trails.
There are two ‘exit ramps’ off The Hub. One leads into Stop and Desist and the opposite into Rock Stable and Rock Smooth. There was three exit ramps, however I assume they determined to take Fireplace Line’s entrance off, in all probability as a result of it intimidated some riders.
Anyway, you’ll be able to’t experience Coler with out beginning at the very least one lap from the Hub! (See the map above to find the place the Hub is in Coler)
2. Go to Airship Espresso
Do you know that there’s a bike/hike-in-only espresso store in the course of Coler? How cool is that?! Airship Espresso is a full-service espresso store housed in a contemporary, open-air, architectural piece of artwork. It’s an important place to hang around for a caffeinated pick-me-up (the espresso is superb) or a post-ride beverage. Additionally they serve smoothies and lightweight meals like nachos and tacos.
Airship is a good place for non-mountain biker vital others to hang around at whilst you do your experience. Listed here are a couple of extra issues to know:
3. Coler Will get Busy
Coler might be the preferred mountain bike path community in Bentonville. Slaughter Pen is fashionable too, however it’s much more unfold out so it doesn’t really feel overly crowded. Weekends at Coler might be fairly busy, particularly on the extra fashionable trails like Fireplace Line, Thunder Dome, and Household Stream (see extra in regards to the trails under). Please be form and courteous and do not forget that we’re all on the market to have enjoyable!
4. e-bikes are thriving
Bentonville could be very e-bike pleasant, so you will notice loads of them at Coler. Once more, we’re all on the market to have enjoyable! Keep in management and be a good human.
5. Some trails get closed after rain
To assist preserve the paths, Coler does shut the machine-built ones after rain. These embody:
Don’t duck the ropes if they’re up. You aren’t particular. Thanks!
6. Trip inside your ability degree
Know your limits and all the time scope the options earlier than you ship them. There may be some huge stuff at Coler Mountain Bike Protect (possibly you’ve heard of Drop the Hammer?). The northside (the paths that begin from the Hub) is dwelling to the toughest runs, each when it comes to huge options like drops in addition to old-school tech. The south facet has mellower and extra family-friendly trails.
Study extra about every of the paths under.
7. Don’t attempt to comply with a pre-planned route
Coler Mountain Bike Protect isn’t all that huge and because the trails are comparatively quick, it’s virtually unattainable to attempt to comply with a preplanned route (plus, you may simply wish to do one other lap on Fireplace Line!). As a substitute, I like to recommend selecting a couple of trails that you realize you wish to experience and tailoring your route primarily based on them.
For me, the paths I’d wish to hit on my first experience at Coler are:
As soon as you realize what trails you wish to experience, you’ll be able to put collectively your route utilizing connecting trails. In case you have a couple of days at Coler, you’ll study the lay of the land fairly rapidly.
8. There’s a campground
Wish to get up and experience? There’s a campground at Coler Mountain Bike Protect that has tent platforms and automotive/van tenting spots. There are additionally showers and bogs. Truthful warning, although: the van websites e book up months prematurely! You may make Coler tenting reservations right here.
The campground is provided with:
9. Parking might be difficult
Parking was much more difficult earlier than they added a a lot bigger parking zone above Thunder Dome. There are three parking areas to entry Coler:
- North Gateway: It is a small parking space situated on the north finish of Coler Protect. It supplies the quickest and best entry to the extra superior trails ranging from The Hub. There are not any bogs or water fountains right here, however there’s a bike instrument/restore station.
- South Gateway: Situated on the south finish of Coler, this parking space is kind of a bit bigger and has bogs, a water fountain, and a motorcycle instrument station.
- Coler Grove: That is the place I often park. It’s a big paved lot above South Gateway and supplies on the spot entry to Thunder Dome and Household Stream. There are bogs and water fountains.
If you wish to keep away from looking for a parking spot, you’ll be able to simply pedal to Coler from downtown. Take third Road as a result of it has a protected bike lane.
10. There’s slightly little bit of the whole lot right here!
One of many causes I like Coler a lot is as a result of there’s a little little bit of the whole lot right here. There are straightforward trails for households and new riders, machine-built trails for movement and options, and old-school rocky tech that can delight the cross-country crowd.
For those who solely have a couple of days in Bentonville, ensure you experience Coler since you’ll get a style of the whole lot Northwest Arkansas has to supply!
The paths at Coler Mountain Bike Protect
The mountain bike trails at Coler actually cowl any kind of driving you may wish to do. There are straightforward beginner-friendly trails, rocky and rooty old-school trails, freeride trails with huge jumps and drops (ahem, Drop the Hammer), and intro-level freeride trails that can assist you construct up expertise and confidence.
I extremely advocate giving your self sufficient time to take a look at ALL of the paths at Coler, however if you’re simply trying to experience Coler’s best hits, listed here are what I think about to be the must-rides:
Watch BKXC shred the paths at Coler MTB Protect
Learn subsequent
Planning a mountain bike journey to Bentonville? Try these associated posts:
Info & FAQs
Q: Are e-bikes allowed at Coler Mountain Bike Protect?
Sure, e-bikes are allowed and thriving.
Q: What number of days do I would like at Coler?
If you wish to get the complete Coler expertise, I like to recommend at the very least two days.
Q: Is there a price to experience at Coler?
Nope! It’s fully free.
Q: What else is there to do there?
Along with the superior mountain bike trails, you may as well stroll the greenway, calm down on the swings at Airship Espresso, sit by the river, and take a look at the cool artwork.
Q: Do I should be a superb rider to mountain bike at Coler?
Nope! There are many straightforward, beginner-friendly trails to experience.
Q: Is Coler open year-round?
Sure, however they do shut the leap trails and Thunder Dome after rain.
Have you ever been to Bentonville? What did you consider Coler Mountain Bike Protect? Does it reside as much as the hype? Go away a remark under!
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Coler Mountain Bike Preserve sounds like a fantastic place for both biking and relaxing. The variety of trails seems accommodating for all skill levels, which is great.
I appreciate the detailed tips on using the park. It’s helpful to know about the campground and where to find good coffee!
The Hub looks interesting! I wonder how it compares to other mountain bike hubs in the area.
It’s good to see that e-bikes are welcome at Coler. This inclusivity might encourage more people to enjoy mountain biking.
I find it useful that you mentioned the parking situation. That can definitely make or break a visit to a popular spot like Coler.