Bicycles in Pea Ridge National Park

Cycling around the Pea Ridge National Military Park’s tour road, one will see many trees situated in vast forest areas. Likewise, there are hay fields that are along the winding road through the park. At times it will feel like one is totally alone on the 4300 acres of Civil War battlefield. However, there is a vast amount of wildlife all around you. From, birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, armadillos, possums, raccoons, deer, turkey, frogs, snapping turtles, box turtles, red foxes, and many other wildlife, call the park grounds their home. While riding it is important to keep a look out for any wildlife that may walk out into your path. The parks tour road is 6.5 miles around the park. Most of the tour road has a slight incline as well as many small rolling hills. There is one steep incline from Stop 5, Armies Collide to Stop 6 West overlook that leads to the top of Elkhorn Mountain. Then a steep decline which brings riders down to Stop 8 the Elkhorn Tavern. If cyclists wish to avoid the climb up Elkhorn Mountain there is a road called Ford Road, which is gravel, dirt, and grass, that runs east to west along the base of Elkhorn mountain. Ford road is the only off pavement route that bicyclists are allowed to take within the park grounds. Bicycles are not allowed to ride on any of the parks hiking trails, due to erosion damage. Cyclists do have to share the tour road with vehicles touring within the park. There is only one restroom available along the tour road, it is at tour Stop 8 beyond the monuments. Many seasoned cyclists refer to the tour road ride as easy, whereas those who do not bicycle consistently consider the ride to be difficult. When cycling around the Pea Ridge National Military Park’s tour road, it is important to remember once one has started on the 6.5 ride one is committed to the ride because the tour road is a one-way road around the interior of the battlefield.

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

The Pea Ridge National Military Park tour road is 6.5 miles, that makes its way around the interior part of the battlefield. There are ten waysides along the tour road. These waysides give descriptions of what took place at those points during the battle. The tour road meanders through a diverse landscape of the Ozark plateau. The tour road has many twists and turns and has multiple grade transfers. The majority of the tour road is at an incline of varying degrees.