Trailheads — Where to Park to Hike

Trailheads are where every hike begins. A trailhead is simply the spot where you park and step onto the trail. There are dozens across the area, and we’ve mapped the ones that are the best starting points for hikers. Some trailheads are big, official parking lots with trail maps, while others are little more than a gravel turnaround. This page is your guide to all the best trailheads, plus a few things worth knowing before you pull in and park.

Find a trailhead

The map below shows the trailheads we recommend for hikers in Bella Vista and Bentonville. Tap or click any pin to open that trailhead’s page where you’ll find trailhead & parking details, directions, and a list of the hikes that start from there.

Official vs. unofficial trailheads

Not all trailheads are created equal, and knowing the difference will save you some confusion on your first few hikes.

Official trailheads are purpose-built access points. You’ll usually find a kiosk with a trail map, a marked parking lot, and sometimes even a restroom.

Unofficial trailheads are the in-between spots the local trail network grew to include—the end of a cul-de-sac like Mace Lane, the Power Station lot (where we are allowed to park as long as we don’t block the gates), or a public lot near a trail, like the Bella Vista Museum. There’s often no sign, no map, and no facilities at these unofficial trailheads. They’re perfectly good places to access the trails once you know they’re there, but they require a little more courtesy on your part.

Keep in mind that “official” and “unofficial” is about the trailhead itself—its signage, parking, and facilities—not about whether there are any parking rules. As you’ll see below, even an official trailhead can share a lot with a business or public building and come with a timing considerations.

Parking — from huge parking lots to tiny cul-de-sacs

Trailhead parking in NWA runs the full spectrum. Some trailheads have large, well-marked lots that rarely fill up. Others may have room for only a handful of cars at best, and when there’s nice weather, they often fill up fast.

• Have a backup in mind. If a small lot is full, don’t block the road. Each trailhead page notes roughly how much parking to expect, and you get an estimate of the size from the photo as well.
• Arrive early on weekends. The most popular trailheads (like Tanyard Creek) can be full by mid-morning on a sunny Saturday.
• Never block driveways, gates, or fire lanes, and don’t park on private property or lawns.

Be a good neighbor — parking hours & courtesy

Some trailheads are parking lots that belong to a business or public building. Those lots are a wonderful convenience for hikers—and we get to keep using them only if we’re respectful of the people they actually belong to. A couple of local examples worth noting:

• Bella Vista Historical Museum—the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 1–5 PM. During those hours the lot is there for museum visitors first, so it’s best to park elsewhere during that time.
• Bella Vista Police Department—this is an official trailhead, but the building hosts court on Thursdays, which often means a much fuller-than-usual parking lot. On Thursdays, it’s best to park at a different trailhead.

Where a trailhead has this kind of timing consideration, we’ll note it right on that trailhead’s page. The golden rule—if the lot belongs to someone, leave room for them—and never let a full lot tempt you into blocking other vehicles or parking somewhere you shouldn’t.

What you’ll find at the trailhead

Amenities vary a lot from trailhead to trailhead. Official trailheads often have a kiosk with a trail map to help you get oriented. Restrooms are the big question mark though—some trailheads have one, but many don’t—so we note on each trailhead’s page whether a restroom is available.

A few notes about safety

• Know where you started. If you ever need to call for help, being able to name your starting point (and the trail you’re on) makes a big difference. Most official trailheads have names, and some unofficial ones are easy for local EMS to pinpoint too—a spot like Mace Lane, for instance, is a short cul-de-sac they’ll recognize right away. Take note of the Google Maps code for the trailhead as that’s a simple way of sharing the trailhead location with emergency services.
• Don’t leave valuables in your car. At any trail parking area, take wallets, phones, and bags with you or stow them out of sight.
• Cell service can be spotty in some places, so consider downloading your route to your phone before you head out.

Ready to get started?

Is this your first time on NWA trails? Getting Started on NWA Trails covers what you need to know to get out on the trail.

Want an easy-to-find place to begin? Any of these trailheads is a great first stop—and each one has a lot of hiking route options once you’re there:

Tanyard · Gear Garden · Veterans · Tweety Bird · Coler South · Park Springs · Lake Avalon