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Fossil Flats Multi-Use Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.2 (38)
  1. Areas
  2. AR
  3. …Northwest AR
  4. …West Fork
  5. Devil's Den State Park
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“A great ride through the rugged ozarks that showcases the flat exposed limstone of Lee Creek. ”

Adam Leslie
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Map Key

6.1

Miles

9.9

KM

80%

Singletrack

1,286' 392 m

High

1,025' 312 m

Low

588' 179 m

Up

589' 180 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

20%

Max Grade (11°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

No horses or motorized vehicles allowed.

Overview

The premier mountain bike trail at Devil's Den State Park and one of, if not the first, mountain bike trail in the state. This trail started as a three mile section, but thanks to local effort from the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists, Progressive Trail Designs and funding from Arkansas State Parks it is now five and a half miles.

The trail starts out on an old service road but you quickly drop off onto tight singletrack that takes you in and out of the woods along Lee Creek. Most of the trail is fast and flowy, but there are several climbs and technical areas to watch out for.

Special features of the trail include, Racer's Hill, a steep climb with fast switchbacks on the way down. A scenic bluff section that will make you stop and say wow. The gravity cavity, which is exactly as it sounds, hold on and don't hit your brakes. Plus several creek and stream crossings to keep you focused on the trail.

Need to Know

Most people ride this trail clockwise from the main trailhead, but it can be ridden in either direction.

On the weekend this trail can have several hikers and riders so be cautious of others on the trail.

There is a shower facility and water spigots located in the campground.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day the park Cafe is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Description

The trail starts at the back of Campground A at Devil's Den State Park. From the gate take a right off of the service road and pass through the warm-up loop. When you exit the warm-up loop you'll follow singletrack along the creek and weave on and off the service road before dropping down towards the creek. Most of the trail is fast and flowy, but there are several climbs and technical areas to watch out for.

Special features of the trail include, Racer's Hill, a steep climb with fast switchbacks on the way down. A scenic bluff section that will make you stop and say wow. The gravity cavity, which is exactly as it sounds, hold on and don't hit your brakes. Plus several creek and stream crossings to keep you focused on the trail.

You start the trail on an old service road. Less than a quarter of a mile down the trail you'll drop down to your right onto singletrack that leads you toward the creek. As you get closer to the creek you'll start to climb up above flat limestone creeks and back into the woods.

History & Background

This is one of, if not the first, mountain bike trails in the state.

This course is home to the Ozark Mountains Mountain Bike Festival in April and the Northwest Arkansas Mountain Bike Championships in September. These events are hosted by Devil's Den State Park which has been advocating mountain biking since 1987.

This area was settled in the mid 1800's and early 1900's. You can see remnants of their homesteads along the trail.

You'll also see evidence of the Civilian Conservation Corp along the trail, there are several dump sites, a borrow pit, a small rock quarry, and the beginnings of a dam that would have created a large lake and flooded the area that the trail is in.

Contacts

Local Club: Ozark Off-Road Cyclists

Land Manager: Arkansas State Parks

Shared By:

Adam Leslie
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 38 votes

#1

in Devil's Den State Park

#552

Overall
  4.2 from 38 votes
5 Star
45%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
11%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Devil's Den State Park

#8

in Arkansas

#552

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Photos

We Can Take it | Devils Den State Park Mountain Biking.
Dec 31, 1969 near West Fork, AR
The trail under a canopy of fall foliage.
Dec 8, 2017 near West Fork, AR
Fossil Flats Part 1
Feb 9, 2020 near West Fork, AR
Racer's Hill | Devils Den State Park Mountain Biking
Dec 31, 1969 near West Fork, AR
Sawmill Loop | Devils Den State Park Mountain Biking
Dec 31, 1969 near West Fork, AR

3 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 48 days ago
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Check-Ins

Oct 15, 2024
Dan 60D5H411
With Owen, Eliana, Tina
May 23, 2023
Shawn Villalpando
Dec 31, 2022
Todd Ward
Gold Brick-Racetrack-Outlaw-Sawmill-Sparky. Rockwork on Devils Racetrack and Sparky is unreal! 2nd time here and will come back! 7mi — 1h 30m
Oct 15, 2022
David Blackburn
Mar 16, 2022
Patrick Jensen
Fun connector of other hood trails 5.9mi
Oct 9, 2021
Nicholas Feliciano
No excitement Better to take the blue trails up and down
Jul 5, 2021
Richard Schmiedeke
Tree down about 1/4 mile in from trailhead going cw. Completely blocking trail.
Sep 11, 2019
Justin Weiss
The 31st Annual Mountain Bike Race course was already marked, so I followed the signs. Several down trees have been cleared. Typical rocks & roots. 5.9mi — 0h 50m

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