Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

ALL sections of the Syllamo Bike Trail are now open. As you ride, please be alert for holes, overhanging limbs and tree roots. NOTE: The Ozark Highlands Trail Extention and the North Sylamore Hiking Trail Extension are still closed.

Welcome to the Syllamo (Sĭl’-lă-mō) Mountain
Bike Trail. This series of interconnecting loops offers the mountain bike enthusiast 50 miles of trail, most of it single-track. The trail name dates back to an infamous resident of the area in the early 1800s. A Creek Indian named Syllamo was tolerated by the native Shawnees. His favorite hunting grounds were a particular creek drainage that was named for him. Eventually the name was anglicized to its current form – Sylamore (Sĭl’-ă-mōre). You may have noticed all the tributes to Syllamo in the area – Sylamore Creek, Sylamore Hiking Trail, the Sylamore Ranger District, and the community of Sylamore. The Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail is a fee area. The fees are kept locally to help maintain the trail and the trailhead facilities. The various loops can be accessed from four different trailheads in addition to Blanchard Springs Recreation Area. All trailheads contain a vault toilet, a bulletin board containing fee information and a map, and a gravel-surfaced parking for approximately 20 vehicles. Three trailheads are on Green Mountain Road, which is the first gravel road to the West 0.5 miles north of Jack’s Fishing Resort and one trailhead is on Arkansas Highway 5, 3.5 miles north of Jack’s (see map (pdf)). The following trail descriptions are listed in order of easiest to most difficult. Several of the trails have a lot of variety in difficulty—stretches that would be pleasant for a beginner, and then very technical stretches where less experienced should walk their bike. Trails are marked with various color blazes on brown fiberglass posts. If you are unsure about your skill level or new to the Syllamo, it is suggested that you start with the most beginner friendly trails and work your way up to the trails that contain the more technical sections. Each trail is broken down by fitness level, skill level, length, preferred route, and total elevation change on the map section of this brochure. Remember to wear your safety gear and enjoy the ride!

Bad Branch Loop- Don’t let the name fool you! The Bad Branch Loop, marked with red blazes is the most beginner friendly of the 5 major Syllamo Loops, and
offers riders nearly 12 miles of single track that contours ridgelines, and twists and turns through the forest. This loop is great for riders of all skill levels,
and can be ridden at an easy pace by those wanting to enjoy the scenery, or all out by those who want the thrill of speeding around its turns and between the
trees. This loop features fairly limited elevation changes on gentle grades, with little technical riding skill necessary. The loop passes through the Bad Branch Trailhead on the west end of the parking lot (near the restroom). In addition to the main loop,there are also two “bail out” loops marked “TO GREEN MTN RD” that allow riders to make a 4 or 8 mile loop ride.

The Jack’s Branch Loop, marked with yellow blazes,traverses 14 miles, making it the longest section. It can be accessed from both the Scrappy Mountain and Bad Branch Trailheads. From the Scrappy Mountain Trailhead, follow the blue and yellow blazes. The trail is also accessible from the east end of the Bad Branch Trailhead. The north side of this loop (the section clockwise from the Bad Branch Trailhead to the intersection of Scrappy Mountain and Jack’s Branch) is especially beginner friendly. The south side of the loop, counter clockwise from
Bad Branch Trailhead to its connection with the Scrappy Mountain Loop, contains sections that may be too steep or technical for the beginner. With this
warning, the inexperienced rider willing to walk their bike through these sections can experience many miles of fun riding.

Because this south section of trail is so long without contacting Green Mountain Road, three “Bail Outs” have been marked for those who start and decide they are not up to the entire trip. These are simply woods roads that intersect the
trail and lead the rider back to Green Mountain Road. They are marked “TO GREEN MTN RD” with an arrow pointing in the correct direction. White aluminum blazes have also been installed along the road to help riders find
their way. At intersections the top of the blaze will be slanted in the direction you are supposed to go. Once back to Green Mountain Road, going left will take you back to Bad Branch Trailhead and right will take you to Scrappy Mountain.
The Blanchard Spur is a hiking trail contained mostly within the Jack’s Branch loop. As the name implies it is a spur trail that connects the Jack’s Branch Loop to the Blanchard Springs Campground. It is marked with yellow blazes
with a black “S”. The Spur is quite steep and less experienced riders should be especially careful when going down hill. The Spur and a 1.6 mile section of the Jack’s Branch Loop serve double duty as part of a loop hiking trail that
begins in Blanchard Springs Campground. The hiking trail is blazed with green blazes and hiker symbols. To avoid confusion, mountain bikers should only follow the yellow blazes in this area.

Bald Scrappy Loop – 7.3 miles, most easily accessed from the White River Bluff Trailhead where the trail practically runs through the parking lot. This loop is marked with orange blazes on carsonite posts. No matter which direction that you choose to ride this loop, there will be some fun downhill runs and not so fun
uphill climbs! Much of this trail is suitable for beginner level riders who are willing to walk their bikes through the more difficult sections.

White River Bluff Loop – The shortest loop, (4.5 miles round trip) is also the most scenic. The trail is marked with green blazes and leaves the White River Bluff Trailhead parking lot
directly opposite the bulletin board. Approximately .4 miles from the parking area, the actual 3.5 mile loop portion of the trail begins. Going to the left at this point will quickly bring you to one of the most scenic points on the trail: spectacular views of the White River, its valley, and surrounding Ozark Mountains. This portion of the trail is quite technical and beginner level riders may have to walk their bikes, but the views are worth the effort. After another 1.5 miles, crossing Townsend Road and topping the next ridge, the rider will be greeted by a fantastic view of the North Sylamore Creek drainage. North Sylamore Creek runs through the heart of the Sylamore Ranger District and is a federally designated Scenic River.

Scrappy Mountain Loop - 12 miles featuring switch backs down (or up!) steep mountain slopes and three creek crossings. This loop is easily accessed from both the Syllamo and Scrappy Mountain Trailheads and is marked with blue blazes. Without question, this is the toughest of the Syllamo loops both hysically
and technically. The portion of the trail that lies east of Arkansas Hwy 5 (counter-clockwise from the Syllamo Trailhead) is especially tough and should only be attempted by advanced riders. One feature of this loop, known as the
“Stairway to Heaven,” is a stairway constructed out of boulders found nearby that serves as a transition from a small bluff to the trail below. It should only be ridden by advanced riders.

Important Information – The trail crosses AR 5 two times, as well as several crossings of Forest Service roads. Please be careful at all road crossings. By shuttling vehicles shorter rides that are all down hill can be made. Those with roof mounts need to be careful on Green Mountain Road to avoid overhanging limbs. The National Forest - All of the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail is on the Sylamore Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis National
Forests. For those of you who may not be familiar with the National Forests, they are best described as a working forest. During your visit you may see timber being harvested, prescribed fire, and other land management practices.

Hunting is also a legitimate use of National Forest lands. On the Sylamore Ranger District, the heaviest hunting pressure occurs during the modern gun
deer season in mid-November and the spring turkey season in April. Mountain biking is permitted year round, but riders are strongly encouraged to wear a
blaze orange vest or jacket during any hunting seasons.

The surrounding area – Discover one of the most spectacular and carefully developed caves anywhere, Blanchard Springs Caverns. Blanchard
Springs Visitor Information Center is located just minutes away from the trail. Visitors can also enjoy float fishing and canoeing on the White and Buffalo
Rivers, which border the east and west sides of the district. The Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View is devoted to preserving the rich
heritage of life in the Ozark Mountains. Mountain View is considered the Folk Music Capital of the World and has numerous motels, restaurants, and
shops. Forest Service and private campgrounds are also available in the immediate area. Also, if you’d like to park your bike for a day, the Sylamore
Ranger District has over 55 miles of hiking trails. Campers registered at Blanchard Springs DO NOT have to pay an additional fee to ride or hike the trail.
Non campers should park in the day use parking lots (swimming or picnic areas) and are required to pay the appropriate parking fee. Fees paid to tour
Blanchard Springs Caverns also entitle visitors to park at the campground free-of-charge on the day of their tour.

Rules of the Trail:
1. Ride on open trails only. If a trail is posted with a “No Bikes” sign, don’t ride it.

2. Control your bicycle. This is particularly important when you meet hikers or other cyclists on the trail. Good balance and proper braking are essential mountain biking skills.

3. Leave no trace. Don’t ride in conditions where you will leave evidence of your passing, especially on certain soils after a rain. Stay on existing trails and don’t create new ones. Leave what you find and pack out your trash.

4. Always yield the trail. The steps are simple; slow down, establish communication with the people you meet and pass safely. Yielding
doesn’t always mean stopping and dismounting, though sometimes that’s the best idea.

5. Never spook animals. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fox, bear, or deer. Give all animals plenty of room and try not to startle them.

6. Plan ahead. Carry everything you need for a good ride: a spare tube and a pump, a rain jacket, basic tools. Know where you’re riding. Wear a helmet.

7. Pick up a map. Maps are available at the Sylamore District Office and at the Blanchard Springs Visitor Information Center.

Facilities:
• 50 miles of trail, approximately 90% is singletrack.
• 4 trailheads, each with parking for 20 vehicles and a vault toilet.
• No overnight camping in trailheads.

Access Points:
• Arkansas Highway 5: Syllamo Trailhead
• Green Mountain Road: White River Bluff, Scrappy Mountain, and Bad Branch Trailheads. With care this road can be negotiated in almost any vehicle, although it is a dirt road and rather rough.
• Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Fees: Current user fees and regulations are posted
at the self-service pay stations in each trailhead.

For More Information, contact:

Sylamore Ranger District
1001 E Main
Mountain View, AR 72560
870-269-3228 M-F
Blanchard Springs Visitor Information Center
870-757-2213 or toll-free 1-888-757-2246

Recreation Opportunity Guide with map (pdf)