The Ouachita NRT was historically a hiking trail, but the vast majority of the route is open to mountain bikes — and it's becoming more well-ridden thanks to the rise of bikepacking.
The entire ONRT runs for 223 miles from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock, Arkansas. About 137 miles of the trail are open to mountain bikes, with a critical 106-mile segment running through the Ouachita Mountains near Hot Springs.
"The Ouachita Trail has definitely traditionally been a hiking trail. We are very thankful that they allow us to mountain bike it," said Meredith. "So it's tough. It is a different flavor from the rest of the trails in the area. There are definitely hike-a-bike sections on it."
Unlike the other long-distance trails, the ONT offers three-sided shelters spaced every 10 miles. These shelters are perfect for backpackers and bikepackers looking for a little extra protection while spending the night, especially during one of Arkansas's many rainstorms. Each shelter offers a porch, table, a fire pit, and is usually located close to a water source.
It's possible to bypass around the closed sections of trail using fantastic dirt roads instead.
