25 Miles - Moderate
With its namesake believed to be the first music published by an Arkansan, our Fayetteville Polka route combines several of our popular urban experiences including Chasing Squirrels, Uptown Funk, and Parkside Circuit for a day full of dancing around Fayetteville by bicycle, e-bike, or e-scooter.
Beginning from the Experience Fayetteville Visitors Center on Fayetteville’s Historic Square, this 25-mile route features our extensive paved trail network and bicycle-friendly streets and is suitable for almost any type of bicycle. From the square, the route heads north and east through the Washington-Willow Historic District and past over one hundred historical homes including the Headquarters House – the most historically significant structure in Fayetteville. Built in 1853, the Headquarters House served as a command post for both the North and South during the Battle of Fayetteville and the American Civil War.
Intersecting Mission Boulevard, cyclists can expect to share the road with motorists along a short, 0.3-mile segment of roadway and extra caution is advised. In accordance with Arkansas law, motorists are expected to give three feet of clearance when passing a person on a bicycle. From Mission, the route follows the Old Wire Road cycle path to Gulley Park and the Niokaska Creek Trail. The 3-mile Niokaska Creek Trail parallels Niokaska Creek in east Fayetteville before merging with the Mud Creek Trail.
A brisk climb up North Vantage Drive with a well-marked bike lane leads to the Lake Fayetteville Trail – one of Fayetteville’s most popular trails. A 5.5-mile scenic paved trail loop by itself, the Lake Fayetteville Trail provides cyclists, runners, and walkers with attractive views of Lake Fayetteville PLUS popular amenities including restrooms, water fountains, and picnic areas. The Lake Fayetteville Trail intersects the Razorback Greenway at the route’s most northern point before turning back south and west along the lake’s north shore. Designated a National Recreation Trail in 2023, the Razorback Greenway stretches 40 miles in total and connects several sister cities across Northwest Arkansas.
Our Fayetteville Polka route follows the Razorback Greenway for the next several miles as it meanders alongside the creeks, streams, and branches feeding the White River. Like any good polka, this section of the route is best experienced with your pals and offers a variety of options for trailside treats including locally crafted coffees, hoppy brews, and diverse culinary eats.
A favorite for local cyclists, craft beer fans should consider a stop off at the Fossil Cove Brewing Company for a variety of dinosaur-themed brews, a spacious tasting room, and large bicycle-friendly patio. Twelve rotating taps offer seasonal and experimental beers as well as several year-round favorites like the Rat – a balanced, easy drinking pale ale with a purpose. As a bonus, $1 from each pint sold benefits a local outdoor focused non-profit in Arkansas. If it’s food you favor, Fossil Cove has a variety of food trucks parked permanently onsite including Wicked Woodfired Pizza. Taking a dough-first approach, Wicked Woodfired Pizza uses 100% sourdough and a balance of house-made sauces, meats and fresh, seasonal veggies to activate your taste buds.
Leaving the Greenway, the route follows marked neighborhood streets through the University of Arkansas before picking up the side path alongside Razorback Road and past renowned sporting venues including Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, John McDonnell Field, and Bud Walton Arena. A popular photo op, the 25-foot tall, 50-foot wide “Wild Band of Razorbacks” fountain at the corner of Maple Street and Stadium Drive includes six nearly seven-foot tall Razorbacks and represents “individual characteristics indicative of the University of Arkansas and the Razorback Nation.”
The Razorback Road side path eventually connects with the Tsa La Gi Trail and Fayetteville’s popular South Loop. Part of our Chasing Squirrels route, the South Loop (identifiable by the squirrel markers painted on the trail) weaves through southern Fayetteville, following water-filled streams along the Town Branch Trail for several shaded miles. The Town Branch Trail reconnects with the Razorback Greenway at Greathouse Park to head north through Walker Park and back to Downtown Fayetteville.
Hopping around town by bicycle works up a hunger and Downtown Fayetteville has plenty of post-ride restaurants perfect for celebrating your newfound love for polka like Feed & Folly – a nationally recognized bicycle-friendly business with front door bike parking and a popular rooftop patio. Feed & Folly’s menu features a variety of southern inspired cuisine like their beer battered and deep-fried fish tacos topped with shredded cabbage, avocado, pickled red onion, cilantro, and chipotle aioli. Yum!
Where to Park
Downtown Fayetteville offers guests an abundance of parking possibilities including free and for a fee options. Metered on-street and surface parking lots are free after 6pm and on the weekends and the Fayetteville Town Center parking deck, located at the corner of N. East Avenue and W. Rock Street, is only $4/day.
No bike? No problem. Fayetteville has an extensive fleet of dockless e-scooters and e-bikes that can be found all around town and available for rent from partners VEO and SPIN.
