Things to do in Bella Vista

The 2026 guide · checked October 8, 2026

Things to do in Bella Vista

Bella Vista got its name in 1915 and started as a summer resort in 1917. It became a POA-run retirement village in the 1960s and was incorporated as a city in 2007. Today the city counts about 100 miles of purpose-built trail inside its limits, across the Back 40, Little Sugar and Blowing Springs systems, all open to the public daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Arkansas's first chairlift-served bike park, OZ Trails, sits on Highway 71 where Bella Vista meets Bentonville.

Back 40 and Blowing Springs

The Back 40's 21-mile outer loop has a hanging bridge cut into a rock bluff, a creek bridge by a waterfall, lake views and a golf-course crossing. Blowing Springs Park adds a waterfall, caves, springs and an overlook, and it's the only campground in Bella Vista.

Little Sugar trails and the art trailheads

The Little Sugar system was built over two years just west of US 71. Its Tweety Bird and Snowbird trailheads, along with the nearby Bluebird Sculpture Trail, are the city's flattest, most kid-friendly riding and walking, and they have public art along the way.

Highway 71 corridor

Highway 71 is the town's main road. You'll find the Historical Museum at Kingsland, Sunday's Farmers & Makers Market at Sugar Creek Shopping Center, and OZ Trails Bike Park at the Mercy Way light on the Bentonville line.

Town Center

The public library is at 11 Dickens Place, with Baby Storytime, a Kids' Corner and a Library of Things.

1. 1

   The Back 40 Trail System

   Outdoors · Mountain biking, trail running, hiking

   This is singletrack for every level. The 21-mile intermediate outer loop has about 1,640 ft of climbing, a hanging bridge cut into a rock bluff, and a creek bridge beside a waterfall. Hikers should know that the Flo-Ride section is one-way downhill for bikes, from York Drive to Castleford.

   Free; city trails are open to the public · Daily 5 a.m.–10 p.m.

   Official site

2. 2

   Little Sugar Trail System

   Outdoors · Beginner riders and kids (Tweety Bird), long rides (Tunnel Vision)

   The city's newest system took more than two years to build, just west of US 71. Start easy on the wide, groomed Tweety Bird Loop, or ride the 25-mile Tunnel Vision Loop, which really does go through a tunnel.

   Free; city trails are open to the public · Daily 5 a.m.–10 p.m.

   Tweety Bird trailhead: corner of Chelsea Rd and Prescot, Bella Vista, AR

   Official site

3. 3

   Blowing Springs Park

   Outdoors · Mountain biking, hiking, camping

   It's one of the area's older trail systems. You get a waterfall, caves, springs and an overlook, and the trails are mostly intermediate, with harder connectors if you want them. It's also the only campground in Bella Vista: a Good Sam affiliate with 11 tent sites and 64 RV spaces.

   Official site

4. 4

   OZ Trails Bike Park

   Outdoors · Riders of all levels; sightseers welcome

   Arkansas's first chairlift-served bike park has a high-speed quad lift and 30+ trails covering 20+ miles, from green to pro. Anyone 42 inches or taller can buy a $9.99 single lift ride with no bike needed. There's also a 2-mile yellow-blazed hiking loop from the plaza, and Ozzy's Ride + Dine is on site.

   Full day $59.99; half day (4.5 hrs) $39.99; pedal day (no lift) $19.99; single lift ride $9.99 (at the park only) · Lift Mon, Thu, Fri 10am–7pm; Sat–Sun 9am–7pm; closed Tue–Wed

   1001 Mercy Way, Bella Vista, AR 72714 (parking lot: 2852 Bella Vista Way)

   What's on hereOfficial site

5. 5

   Bluebird Sculpture Trail

   Arts · All ages; walkers, hikers and bikers

   A 0.43-mile paved loop along Sugar Creek, lined with a rotating collection of public sculpture. There's a picnic area, stone benches and a treehouse jungle gym, so kids stay busy while you look at the art.

   Free

   Official site

6. 6

   Snowbird Trail and Sculpture Park

   Family · Kids learning to ride; picnics

   This 1.5-mile loop is one of the two trails the city calls most kid-friendly, because it's relatively flat and wide. It also has a sculpture park of reclaimed-metal works by Arkansas artist Jaak Kindberg, an open field for picnics, and a big tree with a swing.

   Free · Daily 5 a.m.–10 p.m. (city trail hours)

   64 Rillington Dr, Bella Vista, AR 72714

   Official site

7. 7

   Bella Vista Historical Museum

   History · Local history; group tours

   The exhibits cover early Native settlements, the 1915 lake, the 1917 summer resort, and John Cooper Sr.'s 1960s buildout of Bella Vista Village to the Missouri line. There's also the historic Settlers Cabin. Groups can arrange tours outside regular hours.

   Free · Wed–Sun 1–5pm; closed Mon, Tue, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

   1885 Bella Vista Way, Bella Vista, AR 72714 (corner of Highway 71 and Kingsland)

   What's on hereOfficial site

8. 8

   Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel

   Landmark · Architecture fans; a quiet stop

   E. Fay Jones and Maurice Jennings designed this chapel, which was dedicated in 1988. It's 31 tons of steel and 4,460 sq ft of glass built around fifteen 50-foot arches on an eight-acre wooded hillside, and it seats 120. You can also walk the quarter-mile trail during daylight hours.

   Daily 9am–5pm unless closed for a private event

   504 Memorial Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72714

   What's on hereOfficial site

9. 9

   Wishing Spring Gallery

   Arts · Shopping for local art

   This fine art and fine craft gallery shows original work by more than 40 local and regional artists. It's home to the Artisan Alliance, a nonprofit dating to 1966 that funds art scholarships for Benton County seniors. The Alliance also holds an arts and crafts festival here every May and October.

   Apr–Dec: Wed–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 1–4pm; Jan–Mar: Wed–Sat 10am–5pm

   8862 W. McNelly Rd, Bentonville, AR 72712 (edge of Bella Vista)

   Official site

10. 10

    Bella Vista Farmers & Makers Market

    Food & drink · All ages

    This is a Sunday-morning market. Arkansas farm produce, baked goods and jams sit next to hot breakfast and lunch from local vendors and handmade goods from NWA makers. A weekly vendor map is posted online.

    Sundays 7:30am–1pm, May through October

    Sugar Creek Shopping Center, 10 Sugar Creek, Bella Vista, AR 72714

    Official site

11. 11

    Bella Vista Public Library

    Family · Families with young kids

    The library runs Baby Storytime, a Kids' Corner, a summer reading program and a Library of Things you can borrow from. It also hosts the annual Treat Street fall celebration, and there's public art on the grounds.

    Free · Mon–Thu 9am–7pm; Fri 9am–4pm; Sat 10am–4pm

    11 Dickens Place, Bella Vista, AR 72714

    What's on hereOfficial site

12. 12

    Veterans Wall of Honor

    Landmark

    The Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas created this memorial, dedicated in 2004. Veterans or their families and friends put the names on the wall, and it covers all service branches and eras rather than a single war.

    103 Veterans Way, Bella Vista, AR

    Official site

Hours and prices as each place posts them, checked October 8, 2026; they change, so confirm before you go. Curation is never sold.