In a month-long celebration of Arkansas’ ever-expanding mountain biking scene, trail users from across the state once again crowned Northwoods Trails in Hot Springs as the best mountain bike trail system in Arkansas.
The online contest, styled after NCAA basketball’s March Madness and hosted by ArkansasOutside.com, returned for its fifth year and featured 32 trail systems from every corner of the state. Over four weeks, thousands of voters narrowed the field through head-to-head matchups, culminating in a final showdown between Northwoods/Cedar Glades and International Mountain Bicycling Association EPIC, Lake Ouachita Vista Trail.
Northwoods, operated by the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, claimed the top spot for the fifth time in six years. The trail system has become a rider favorite for its diverse terrain, year-round rideability, and close proximity to downtown amenities.
“We are honored and excited that the mountain biking community continues to show their love for Northwoods,” said Traci Berry, trails coordinator for Visit Hot Springs. “We’re always working to improve the experience, and this kind of recognition means the world.”
Bracket Highlights and Surprises
The 2025 bracket featured a few unexpected twists. In the Sweet Sixteen, the competition began heating up with strong performances from older IMBA Epic systems like Ouachita National Recreation Trail and Womble Trail in the Ouachita Mountains.
By the time the Elite Eight rolled around, familiar names like Hobbs, Iron Mountain, and the Mount Nebo Trails remained, but fans were also surprised to see Lakewoods in Monticello, reach deep into the tournament.
In the Final Four, it was all heavyweights, with Northwoods, Ouachita National Recreation Trail (ONRT), Iron Mountain, and the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT) battling for a spot in the championship. Northwoods took out Iron Mountain, while LOViT took down ONRT.
A Celebration of Trail Culture
Now in its fifth year, the Arkansas Mountain Bike Trail System March Madness Bracket has become a staple in the local outdoor recreation calendar. Created by ArkansasOutside.com to celebrate the diversity and quality of Arkansas trails, the bracket engages thousands of riders and fans through online voting and social media.
Joe Jacobs, founder of Arkansas Outside, said the tournament’s goal has always been to showcase the vast range of trail experiences the state offers.
“It’s amazing to see how passionate people are about their local trails,” Jacobs said. “The bracket sparks friendly competition, but more than anything, it’s a reminder of how far Arkansas has come as a mountain biking destination.”
Looking Ahead
With new trail systems opening across the state, including chairlift-served parks in Northwest Arkansas and expansions to existing networks in the Ouachitas and Ozarks, the competition is expected to only grow fiercer in years to come.
“We learned some thing in this first year of running this as a bracket and next year will see some changes that will do a better job of representing trails from all over the state, said Jacobs.
But for now, Northwoods Trails remains the reigning champion—and a shining example of how public investment, community support, and trail stewardship can create a world-class mountain biking destination in the Natural State.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
