Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area
Trail Guide
hard

Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area

South of Conway
6.8 miles
4.6/5
6.8 mi
Distance
1.5-2.5 hours
Duration
loop
Route Type
4.6/5
Rating
Trail Overview
Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area offers the most rugged mountain biking experience in the Conway area. With miles of natural surface trails through dense Arkansas forest, riders will find technical root sections, steep climbs, and rewarding descents. The area is managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and offers a true backcountry riding experience just minutes from downtown Conway.
Distance
6.8 miles
Difficulty
hard
Surface
Dirt Trail
Route Type
loop
Location
Highway 89, Mayflower, AR 72107
Neighborhood
South of Conway

Trail Tags

singletracktechnicalforestwildlife
What to Expect on This Conway Bike Trail

Highlight 1

Most technical mountain biking near Conway

Highlight 2

Miles of interconnected singletrack loops

Highlight 3

Dense forest canopy provides shade in summer

Highlight 4

Wildlife including deer, turkey, and waterfowl

Highlight 5

Challenging root and rock sections for experienced riders
Points of Interest Along the Way
Technical singletrack

Steep climbs

Dense forest

Wildlife viewing

Backcountry feel
Best Times to Ride

Early Morning (7–10 AM)

The best time to ride in Conway. Trails are fresh, temperatures are cooler at altitude, and you'll beat the afternoon crowds on popular routes like Maroon Bells.

Late Morning (10 AM–Noon)

Great for longer rides when fully acclimatized. Aim to be off exposed ridgelines by early afternoon as afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer.

Avoid Afternoons in Summer

Conway summers bring rapid afternoon thunderstorms, especially above treeline. Start early and plan to return before 2–3 PM. Always bring a rain layer.

Gear Up Before You Ride

Before hitting Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area, make sure you're fully prepared for high-altitude mountain biking. Check out our local Conway bike shops for gear, mountain bike rentals, spare tubes, or a quick tune-up.

Conway Cycling

Conway's premier mountain bike shop, conveniently located near popular trailheads

Ute Mountaineer

Perfect for last-minute gear, trail maps, or a quick bike check before your ride

Safety Tips for Mountain Biking in Conway, CO
  • •Wear a helmet: Always wear a properly fitted mountain bike helmet — Conway trails are technical
  • •Acclimatize first: Conway sits at 8,000 ft — give yourself 1-2 days to acclimatize before hard rides, especially if flying in
  • •Watch for thunderstorms: Afternoon summer storms build fast in the Rockies — start early and be off exposed terrain by 2 PM
  • •Bring water & snacks: High altitude increases dehydration. Bring more water than you think you need plus energy snacks
  • •Know wildlife etiquette: Conway has bears, moose, and elk. Make noise on blind corners and know how to react to wildlife
Trail Location
Marker
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap

Highway 89, Mayflower, AR 72107

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Current Weather
45°F
Clear Sky
2 mph
Wind
0 mm
Precipitation
Ride Conditions: Good

Decent riding conditions today.

Live data via Open-Meteo · Conway, AR

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