Outdoor magazine recently named Northwest Arkansas as the best, and I have to agree with them. The trail system is amazing, and it’s becoming known everywhere. But why did Outdoor magazine say this about us?
Northwest Arkansas is the best regarding the trail system and the community around the trail system, according to Outdoor magazine. Companies come here for the trails and set up niche businesses, and the community was intentionally built to support the trail systems.
Our trail systems really are the best, but if you want proof, stick around, and I’ll tell you more about why.
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Outdoor Magazine Says NWA Is the Best
Outdoor Magazine has recently said that the Monument trails in Northwest Arkansas are the best trail systems in all of America.
I have the privilege of talking with not only the trail builders, but also those who’ve traveled across the world and come from several parts of the world to Northwest Arkansas. They’ve all said the same thing–the trails here are just amazing.
Trail-building, bike, and trail-running conferences are held here, and the USA Olympic mountain biking team trains on our trails. You can see that the trail systems are very popular worldwide, so let’s talk about why.
The Trail Building Community
The trail-building community in Northwest Arkansas is very special, and it’s splintered into Arkansas state. But the reason for it being top-notch is that it was a grass-roots organization that came together with similar organizations to buy and build designated land for the trails.
Landowners are also very receptive to creating trails throughout the area, and they’ve gifted parcels to build a recreation area for the community. So it’s great they have a vision of the area and are completely on board with it.
They could have used it to build more homes on it, but the fact that they chose to build trails is absolutely amazing to me.
Companies Come Here For the Trails
Trail building is a niche, grassroots type of business. People with shovels go to various properties, talk with the owners, and hopefully, they can build trails. But in Northwest Arkansas, several trail-building companies set up their headquarters here.
If you looked on a Google map, you might see seven of them. There might be one in Colorado and one in Maine, but many of them set up shop right here in NWA.
These companies not only build trails here but they’re hired to go to other areas all over the world to build trails that mirror what’s been done here. I mean, trail building has been around for a while, but it’s cool that companies here are recognized for the work they do.
Built With Intentionality
Another reason that Outdoor Magazine chose Northwest Arkansas as the best is that the trail system was built with intention. Companies hire bike riders, runners, and hikers with the skillset of trail engineering and architecture to build trails, as they know what bikers, runners, and hikers are looking for in a trail.
That’s what makes the trail systems here unique–they’re built for use.
Since this is such a niche and specific area, they need those who know how trails need to function. Arkansas, and specifically Northwest Arkansas, have trails that are built for several types of activity.
NWA Has the Resources to Build Trails
Most of Arkansas is dead, and they don’t have the resources or grants to build trails. However, Northwest Arkansas businesses and organizations receive grants to have the resources to build trails. And we actually have a staff member dedicated to outdoor spaces and recreational uses.
Not too many states have this, actually, except for maybe Colorado and Pennsylvania. They have a person in charge of the growth and advancement of the trail systems and resources to maintain them.
But the interesting thing about Northwest Arkansas is that we’re one of the few areas that actually see the benefits and advantages of outdoor recreational areas compared to other states.
Some of the resources of Arkansas go to outdoor recreation because of the tourism industry. And the money from tourism, coupled with the taxpayers’ dollars, gives us the resources to build up our trail system.
So we’ve dedicated our resources to making life better for people, which is why Outdoor Magazine recognized the area as the best for trails. Other states might have the resources to do this, but they choose not to do so for one reason or another. Of course, we have trail-building businesses here, so that helps.
NWA Is Focused On Trails
The last reason that Northwest Arkansas was chosen for having the best trails in the nation is that NWA is focused on building trails. Other states or areas dabble in trail building, but they often lose focus and go to other projects without finishing their trails. However, NWA’s trail systems are the main focus and are by far the best feature in the area.
You can do so many things when exploring the trail system, including the following:
- Camping
- Hiking
- Biking
- Running
- Having a picnic
- Exploring nature
And since there are rivers near the trails, you can kayak or float down the river if you wish.
The trail systems around here are designed around everything outdoors, and they’re a hub for all outdoor recreational activities. This is why Outdoor magazine rated our trails as the best trail system in the nation.
Conclusion
I believe Outdoor Magazine is correct in that the trail systems in Northwest Arkansas are the best in the nation. The area is focused on building up great trails, which really makes this a tourist destination.
And because of this, not only have trail-building businesses flocked to this area, but other businesses and residents moved here to take advantage of all those tourist dollars. This gives NWA several opportunities that other states or areas don’t have.
If you’re thinking of moving here for the trails or other opportunities, let me know, and I can give you the $10 tour.