Travel South Magazine Travel South low (kasey daleo's conflicted copy 20 | Page 108

If you’re looking for an amazing, scenic location for mountain
biking, look no further than Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Lake Leatherwood is located within the city limits of Eureka
Springs, Arkansas, and is owned and managed by the city.
You would never know it was in the city, as it is separated
from the city by a mountain ridge. Much of the park could
be considered wilderness. The 1,610-acre park offers over
25 miles of biking trails surrounding a spring-fed lake.
Leatherwood has a lot of short, tough climbs, ridgeline flow,
technical rock drops, and great lake views, and boasts the
only true natural feature downhill in Northwest Arkansas. The
biking is excellent, with trails that go from easy to advanced,
with over 400 feet of elevation gain from the lowest trail to
the highest. The trails feature many rocky ledges, steep
slopes, extended grades, creek crossings and varied ter-
rains that make most trails challenging for both foot and bike
traffic.
The park also provides for many other recreational oppor-
tunities. It has cabins, camping and RV sites, boating, a kayak
and canoe launch, fishing, a shower house, a boat
dock/marina, a swim beach, BBQ pavilion, and a play-
ground.
Just a couple of miles away, historic Eureka Springs is an
awesome place to hang out after your ride. Experience
the beauty and charm of this Victorian Village, with over
100 unique shops & galleries, Eureka Springs is a shopper’s
paradise. Award-winning restaurants can satisfy anyone’s
appetite for everything from down home southern food to
romantic, candlelit dinners, savory Czech-German dishes,
authentic Italian cuisine and spicy East Indian fare. You’ll
find Mediterranean, Chinese, Irish, Mexican, Cajun, and
Thai as well.
Relax at one of the numerous spas around the city or visit
a 500-acre wildlife refuge for abused, abandoned, and
neglected big cats. Take a 2-hour zipline tour through an
Ozark Mountain forest, ride a steam train, or explore an
area cavern.
It’s time to unplug and escape to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
EUREKA SPRINGS, AR