Currently two shuttle buses are used at the Lake Leatherwood Gravity Park to transport bikes and bikers up to the trailheads across the street from Angler’s Inn on US 62 West. One is operated by the Eureka Springs Parks Department and one by Denton West, who has had a bike and kayak shop, Adventure Mountain Outfitters, in Eureka Springs for about 10 years.
The park is drawing riders from all over the country and Europe.
“A recent weekend when we had good weather, we had about fifty riders each day,” West said. “I’ve seen eighty to a hundred riders down there in one day. And here we are in the middle of winter and we have fifty riders on Saturday and fifty riders on Sunday. The word is getting out. Most downhill parks are at ski resorts. When the snow is not there, people take ski lifts to the top and ride bicycles downhill. But, right now, the ski resorts are catering to skiers. That leaves us as the best place in the country to ride.”
West said the bikers take videos of their downhill ride, downtown, where they are staying and where they eat. He feels like the Gravity Park has been and will continue to be a major benefit to tourism.
Riders often bring their families, and many belong to downhill bikers’ clubs like the Dallas Fort Worth Freeriders.
“There are kids from six to sixty out there riding these trails,” West said. “A lot of times families camp at Lake Leatherwood and ride the cross-country trails when the shuttle is not running. Parks only charges only $20 for a day pass for a shuttle pass. Then it’s $10 after 1 p.m. for a half day.”