Outdoor enthusiasts and mountain biking fans have something new to look forward to in Searcy as the city prepares to officially open its first 2 mountain bike trails at Riverside Park on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The City of Searcy is inviting the community to celebrate the opening with a group bicycle ride beginning at 10 AM.
Participants should bring their own bicycles and meet in the parking lot near the Riverside Park boat ramp.
The opening represents the first step in developing a larger mountain biking trail system that city leaders hope will attract riders and outdoor recreation enthusiasts from throughout Arkansas.
The 2 new trails, named Backwater and Monarch, will provide a combined 3.4 miles of mountain biking opportunities.
Both are designated green trails, making them approachable options for riders beginning to explore the new trail system.
2 NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS OPENING OCTOBER 17
The first trails scheduled to open are Backwater and Monarch.
BACKWATER TRAIL:
1.8 miles
MONARCH TRAIL:
1.6 miles
Both trails carry a green designation, indicating beginner-friendly riding difficulty.
The trails are designed to provide an approachable introduction to mountain biking while allowing riders to explore the natural surroundings of Riverside Park.
The combined 3.4 miles of trails represent the beginning of what city leaders envision as a growing outdoor recreation destination.
COMMUNITY GROUP RIDE BEGINS AT 10 AM
To celebrate the opening, the City of Searcy will host a community group ride Saturday, October 17.
The ride begins at 10 AM, with participants gathering in the parking lot near the Riverside Park boat ramp.
Riders are asked to bring their own bicycles.
The group ride will give participants an opportunity to experience the new trails and celebrate the latest improvement to Searcy’s outdoor recreation offerings.
The event is open to the community.
8 MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS PLANNED FOR FIRST PHASE
While Backwater and Monarch are the first trails to open, the City of Searcy has larger plans for Riverside Park.
The completed first phase of the mountain biking project is expected to include a total of 8 trails.
That means 6 additional mountain biking trails are planned beyond the 2 opening October 17.
The expanded trail system is intended to create more opportunities for local residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities.
City officials believe the improvements could help establish Searcy as a regional destination for mountain biking and outdoor recreation.
MAYOR MAT FAULKNER CALLS OPENING AN EXCITING MILESTONE
Searcy Mayor Mat Faulkner says the opening marks an important step in the city’s long-term plans for Riverside Park.
“This is an exciting milestone, but it’s really just the first look at what we’re building at the park,” Faulkner said.
“As the remaining trails are completed, we believe this will become a destination not only for people in Searcy, but for riders and outdoor enthusiasts from across the region.”
The mayor’s comments reflect the city’s goal of building an outdoor recreation system that serves local residents while attracting visitors from surrounding communities.
City leaders see the trails as part of a broader investment in recreational opportunities along the Little Red River.
RIVERSIDE PARK TO BECOME LITTLE RED RIVERPARK
Along with the mountain biking improvements, Searcy officials have announced plans to gradually transition the park’s name from Riverside Park to Little Red Riverpark.
The proposed identity reflects the park’s connection to the Little Red River.
City officials say the new name will help establish a stronger connection between the park and one of Searcy’s important natural features.
The transition will take place gradually as the city develops updated maps, directional signs, promotional materials and other park information.
During the transition, residents may see both Riverside Park and Little Red Riverpark used in city communications.
The new name is intended to support the park’s growth as a regional outdoor recreation destination.
NEW NAME HIGHLIGHTS LITTLE RED RIVER
Searcy Planning and Development Director Richard Stafford says the Little Red River plays an important role in what makes the park special.
“The river really makes the park special,” Stafford said.
“As we continue investing in trails and other opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, Little Red Riverpark gives us an identity that connects the park directly to the river and helps us tell that story to people beyond Searcy.”
The name change will coincide with the continued development of the park’s recreational facilities.
City officials believe the Little Red Riverpark identity will make it easier to promote the location to visitors unfamiliar with the area.
EXPANDING OUTDOOR RECREATION IN SEARCY
The mountain biking trail project is part of an ongoing effort to improve outdoor recreation opportunities in Searcy.
Riverside Park is known for its location along the Little Red River, and the new trail system will give residents another way to enjoy the natural setting.
Mountain biking has become a popular recreational activity in communities throughout Arkansas, and trail systems can provide opportunities for exercise, recreation and outdoor tourism.
The new Searcy trails will allow riders to explore the park while city officials continue developing additional routes.
With 8 trails planned in the first phase, the city hopes to create a trail network that attracts both beginning riders and experienced mountain biking enthusiasts.
A NEW DESTINATION FOR NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS
The addition of mountain biking trails creates another outdoor recreation option for residents throughout White County and surrounding areas.
Riders from Searcy, Bald Knob, Judsonia, Beebe, Pangburn, Rose Bud, Batesville, Heber Springs and other communities may find the trails an appealing option for outdoor recreation.
City officials believe the trail network could eventually attract cyclists from across the region.
The project also provides another reason for visitors to explore the Little Red River area and Searcy’s outdoor attractions.
OCTOBER 17 OPENING CELEBRATION
The City of Searcy encourages anyone interested in experiencing the new trails to attend the October 17 group ride.
Participants should bring their own bicycles and gather near the boat ramp parking area.
The group ride begins at 10 AM.
The opening offers residents an opportunity to see the first completed trails and learn more about the city’s vision for the park.
As additional trails are completed, the park’s recreational opportunities are expected to expand.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL OPENING EVENT DETAILS
WHAT:
Grand Opening of 2 New Mountain Bike Trails
HOST:
City of Searcy
WHEN:
Saturday, October 17, 2026
TIME:
10 AM
WHERE:
Riverside Park
Future Little Red Riverpark
Searcy, Arkansas
MEETING LOCATION:
Parking lot near the Riverside Park boat ramp
EVENT:
Community Group Mountain Bike Ride
WHAT TO BRING:
Your own bicycle
NEW TRAILS OPENING:
BACKWATER
Length: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Green — Beginner-Friendly
MONARCH
Length: 1.6 miles
Difficulty: Green — Beginner-Friendly
COMBINED TRAIL DISTANCE:
3.4 miles
FUTURE TRAIL DEVELOPMENT:
8 mountain biking trails planned for the completed first phase.
6 additional trails planned after the first 2 openings.
PARK NAME TRANSITION:
Current Name:
Riverside Park
New Name:
Little Red Riverpark
The city will gradually introduce the new park name through signage, maps and promotional materials.
CITY OFFICIALS:
Mat Faulkner
Mayor of Searcy
Richard Stafford
Planning and Development Director
ADMISSION:
The public is invited to participate. No fee was listed in the city’s announcement.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
City of Searcy
https://www.cityofsearcy.org/
Searcy residents and outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to mark their calendars for Saturday, October 17, and help celebrate the opening of the first 2 mountain bike trails at Riverside Park.
The group ride begins at 10 AM near the boat ramp.
Riders should bring their own bicycles.
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