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Nearest Accommodations: Bentonville

Location: From I-540 in Bentonville, head north, watch for exit number 93 (Hwy 71). Take 71 going south for about a mile or so and watch to the left for NW A Street. Turn onto NW A Street and you will see the parking area for the trail on your left.

Type: Single track and paved walking trail / loops.

Distance: About 10.5 miles doing all loops.

Summary: The trail system is made up of about nine different trails, all varying in length and skill level. When we went out there we rode all of the Phase II section which included The Urban trail, Angus Chute, Razorback Ridge, Free Time, and Rocky Ridge. Phase I which we did not get the chance to ride includes Medusa, Tatamagouche, Armadillo's Last Stand, and Seed Tick Shuffle as well as the ever popular Free Ride Park.

The Urban trail was pretty mild when compared with some of the other trails located at Slaughter Pen. It is made up of a lot of small up and downs that has a pretty good flow to it. This trail follows the paved trail so if a person has had enough they can easily bailout if they so desired. This trail will also hook you up on the Free Time and Rocky Ridge loops located on the other side of  NE A Street. This trail would be good for someone just cutting their teeth on trail riding. 

Razorback Ridge was a little more technical and required a little more physical exertion than the Urban Trail but was still pretty mild as far as some of the other trails located out there. There is a little ridge riding on this section with some really nice scenic spots. I would say that most beginners and up would feel comfortable on this trail. There is a really cool bridge that connects Razorback Ridge to one section of the Angus Chute trail, you can tell someone really thought these trails out and put in a lot work building them when you see the detail paid in building these bridges and other wood works.

Angus Chute trail is the real leg burner out there if you follow it all the way through. This is the only trail at Slaughter Pen that is an out and back, but if you want to do some climbing then don't miss this trail. Angus Chute is a lot like Razorback Ridge up until you cross a an old dirt road and then from there expect to find one really good climb up to NW A Street. The trail ends at the road so you have to to turn around and head back down, but it is one awesome downhill and a real blast to ride.

If you take The Urban Trail as far south as you can, you will see where it ends at NE A Street. Look straight across the road and you will the entrance to Free Time. Free Time is a lot like the Urban Trail with a few more places that are bit more technical. Free Time is the lower half of a loop that is made up of Free Time and Rocky Ridge.

Rocky Ridge was a really fun section, lots of technical stuff there, plenty of ridge riding, it's fast and has a great flow to it. This trail is for the more advanced beginner and up, not really any big climbs, but mostly narrow side hugging trail. There is one little section there called Scott Allen Alley that has one really big huck so be careful if you go flying down this little section of trail.

Unfortunately when we were there we did not get the chance to ride any of the trails in Phase I, but I was told by some of the locals that these trails are really a blast to ride and a lot like the Razorback Ridge and Angus Chute. The Tatamagouche has some really nice wood bank turns built into it. We are already making plans to head back out there and check out the rest of the trails at Slaughter Pen Hollow. I don't want to leave out the fact that Slaughter Pen also has one of the best free ride parks in the state. I did not get to check out the free ride area but I plan on doing so on our next visit.

Overall this trail system offers something for everyone, not into trail riding then you can enjoy the nice paved trail that runs the length of the park. The trails are built for all experience levels from the beginning trail rider to the experienced free rider, they will all find something that fills their teacup. Slaughter Pen is a great addition to the trail works in NW Arkansas and if you are in that area be sure to check this trail complex out, you won't be sorry.

Recommended Route: There really is not a certain route. Get a map and then mix up the way you like.

Rating: Everyone should find something out there that they will enjoy. I would imagine you could bring the whole family out there if you wanted to.

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