If you’re planning to move to Northwest Arkansas or already here, you’re probably aware that Northwest Arkansas has a huge outdoor activity scene. The hiking and biking trails around the state are famous worldwide, featuring beginner-friendly and professional-level trails. One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the outdoor activity scene here is to join an outdoor group.
Some of the best outdoor groups in Northwest Arkansas are the Trail Blazers, the Women of Oz, the Ozark Running Club, the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists, and the NWA Gravel Grinders. These groups organize outdoor activities that are inclusive, fun, and perfect for new and experienced outdoor enthusiasts.
In the rest of this article, I’ll discuss some of the best outdoor groups in Northwest Arkansas and the activities they offer. Whether you’re looking for biking trails, running and hiking activities, or community-based events, these outdoor groups are sure to have something for you!
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1. Trail Blazers
The first one we need to talk about is the Trail Blazers. They’re the biggest outdoor group in Northwest Arkansas and used to be called the NWA Trail Blazers before they rebranded.
The Trail Blazers is a nonprofit group that oversees the construction of paved and soft paths for biking or running. They work with all the major cities in Northwest Arkansas to ensure everything is constructed properly and up to par.
Currently, Northwest Arkansas has 559 soft paths for hiking, biking, or running and 201 hard or paved paths. If you want an in-depth look at the outdoor scene in Northwest Arkansas, you can check out my article on Hiking, Biking, and Running in NWA.
They work closely with communities and cities to lay and promote these paths. Their motto is “Movement for All,” which is a pretty good summary of their main aim. They encourage people to go out more and get involved in outdoor activities. They want people to hike, bike, and get involved with their communities.
Since the cities also want to encourage outdoor activities, they often partner with Trail Blazers to create new paths. Trail Blazers are the group with the most knowledge of how to create these paths and the best ways to enjoy them, which is why they’re at the top of my list.
Speaking of hiking, I suggest checking out the Ozark Highland Nature Center in Springdale. This facility measures 40,000-square-foot (3,716-sq m) in size and houses some wildlife in certain areas, and the best part is it’s free to visit. Check out my post for an overview of the Highland Center and a list of things you can do for free in NWA. [Best Free Things To Do in Northwest Arkansas – Part 1]
2. Women of Oz
This group is for all the ladies who are into mountain biking. The Women of Oz group is the best group for women looking to join a biking group. It consists of a large group of women who meet regularly to go on trails and bike together.
Obviously, since this is an exclusive group for women only, I haven’t joined them on any of their excursions. But I have many friends who have, and they only have excellent things to say about the group.
Women of Oz conducts almost daily activities for bikers at all levels. Even if you’re a beginner and have never gone on a bike, they have lessons on how to ride a bike. You can join their lessons for newer riders and soon participate in the other events.
It’s a great group to join if you want to make more friends in the area. They’re very welcoming and friendly, and their biking sessions are a fun and exciting way to explore the area. So, this group is great for women new to the area.
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
3. Ozark Running Club
Now, the next group we need to talk about is the Ozark Running Club. Obviously, northwest Arkansas is bigger than just hiking and biking. We do a lot of running here too. So this group is dedicated to organizing running events around the state because the biking paths often work equally well for runners.
So, if you’re not really into biking, you don’t want to go hiking — this club is definitely for you. The Ozark Running Club is perfect for those who’d rather go on group runs than learn how to bike. They organize multiple group runs in all the major cities — whether it’s Fayetteville, Bentonville, or any other big place.
Also, if you’re into running, Northwest Arkansas is a great place to be. There are all sorts of trails — smooth trails, ones with many obstacles like rocks and foliage, scenic trails, etc. So if running is more your scene, this group can help you find a like-minded community.
4. Ozark Off-Road Cyclists
The next group to discuss is the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists. This group focuses a lot on volunteer work, which is one of my favorite things about them.
In Northwest Arkansas, we like to give back to the trails because they give so much to us. So many people from this group will help with trail maintenance and cutting down or moving loose logs and branches over the weekend.
For example, if there’s a storm in the area and you notice branches or trees have fallen across the trail. You just take a picture, post it on Facebook, and within a few hours, someone from the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists will come and clear it all away.
So, if you want to give back to the trails on the weekends, you can join this group to help maintain and clear the trails and expand their reach.
5. NWA Gravel Grinders
The final group in this article is the NWA Gravel Grinders.
So, let’s say you’re not into dirt bikes or hiking. You’re not into running or volunteering. Maybe, instead, you’re into gravel biking. This group is for you.
The gravel biking scene is big in Northwest Arkansas. Many people find mountain biking too strenuous to do all the time, so gravel biking is a good way to get that exercise in without being too hard on your body.
There are many gravel paths that are perfect for gravel biking. In fact, Northwest Arkansas even has big gravel bike races every year, like the Big Sugar Gravel in Bentonville. There are also multiple races every year in places like Fayetteville, Springdale, or Rogers.
If gravel biking is more your scene, then the NWA Gravel Grinders is the perfect group to join. They organize different events throughout the week, so you can make friends with others who share your interests.
Conclusion
That’s it for this article! Having lived in Northwest Arkansas for a while, I’ve heard of all these groups before and know multiple people who are part of them. Joining one of these groups is a great way to get involved in the outdoor scene. You can check out my article on other outdoor activities in NWA if you want more outdoor activities.