eureka springs fat tire festival | september 26-28, 2025
Now produced by Ozark Foundation, the Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival – hosted September 26-28, 2025 - features three days of spectator-friendly mountain bike competitions and recreational rides spread throughout the eclectic mountain town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas INCLUDING Friday Night Hot Laps at Bear Creek Nursery, an OZ Kids Grit Crit for ages 2-10, the inaugural Eureka Downhill, the gravity-filled Eureka Enduro PLUS hearty group rides, all day shuttles, air bags, learn to jump clinics, festive social gatherings and more!
First hosted in 1999 and through 2019, the Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival is a weekend celebrating one of Arkansas’ O.G. mountain bike destinations and the community that built it!
REGISTRATION | COMING SOON!
Registration opens Sunday June 1 at 8am with participation based on a first-come, first-served basis.
event VENUE
This year’s festival will be based out of multiple locations across Eureka Springs including Lake Leatherwood City Park - a 1,610-acre outdoor recreation destination that is home to the Lake Leatherwood Bike Park and Arkansas’ largest downhill mountain bike park, and the Eureka Springs Community Center - a community gathering place as varied, unique and inclusive as the town itself.
EVENT SCHEDULE
The 2025 Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival includes separate schedule tracks for competition, recreation, and clinics. Additional details, including a downloadable FESTIVAL GUIDE for the entire weekend, coming soon. Until then, checkout highlights from the packed schedule tracks below:
COMPETITION | FRIDAY
2:00PM-6:00PM | DOWNHILL & ENDURO PRE-RIDE | VARIOUS LOCATIONS
5:00PM-8:00PM | FRIDAY NIGHT HOT LAPS | BEAR CREEK NURSERY
Kick-off your Fat Tire Festival weekend with a creek side Individual Time Trial (ITT) Short Track Competition benefitting the Eureka Springs NICA Student Mountain Bike Team! ONLY $10 to enter with $5 reruns. Prizes for fastest times by age groups.
COMPETITION | SATURDAY
7:00AM-1:00PM | EUREKA DOWNHILL | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Featuring the O.G. gravity line in the region, DH2 at the Lake Leatherwood Bike Park, the Eureka Downhill serves as the inaugural event in the recently announced Arkansas Downhill Series and sets the precedent for a full series of downhill racing across Arkansas in 2026!
12:00PM-4:00PM | OZ KIDS™ GRIT CRIT | RACING FOR KIDS AGED 2-10 | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Bring the whole family for the OZ Kids™ Grit Crit and criterium-style bike races for boys and girls aged 2 to 10. Featuring short, spectator-friendly courses with a mixture of surfaces from grass to paved trails, the event offers both balance and pedal bike competitions!
2:00PM-6:00PM | EUREKA ENDURO SHUTTLED PRE-RIDE | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
5:00PM-9:00PM | SATURDAY NIGHT INTOWN SOCIAL | GOTAHOLD BREWING
Celebrate the day at the festival’s intown social featuring live music, food trucks, and $1 off discounts for festival goers at this family friendly, award-winning destination brewery.
COMPETITION | SUNDAY
7:00AM-4:00PM | EUREKA ENDURO | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
An annual stop on the Arkansas Enduro Series, the Eureka Enduro is a rowdy weekend of racing through the Victorian-style resort town of Eureka Springs. The community is home to some of the best mountain biking in Arkansas including at The Great Passion Play, Marble Flats, and the Lake Leatherwood Bike Park - the largest gravity park in the state.
2:00PM-3:00PM | WHEELS UP BIKE CLINICS | OPEN BAG JUMP JAM | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Featuring multiple airbags from 2 feet up to 6 feet tall, throw down during this complimentary Open Bag Jump Jam! FREE for the first 60 participants registered for other festival events INCLUDING Recreational Festival Pass holders.
3:00PM-3:45PM | WHEELS UP BIKE CLINICS | BEST TRICK COMPETITION | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Ah, the shenanigans. Hosted by Wheels Up Bike Clinics, festival goers with the goods can sign up for the Best Trick Competition and send it into the airbags. 2 runs per rider, with the top 5 advancing to the finals.
4:00PM | FAT TIRE FESTIVAL PODIUM AWARDS | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
RECREATION | FRIDAY
9:00AM-5:00PM | THE GRAVITY FEED ALL-DAY DOWNHILL SHUTTLE PASS | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Featuring the Lake Leatherwood Bike Park and 7 unique downhill trails ranging from 10 to 20-minute descents depending on rider ability. All-Day Downhill Shuttle Passes can be reserved from The Gravity Feed for an additional fee at thegravityfeed.com.
4:00PM-6:00PM | WHEELS UP BIKE CLINICS | ALL-AGES OPEN JUMP JAM | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Featuring multiple jumps and airbags from 2 feet up to 6 feet tall, throw down during this All-Ages Open Jump Jam in a professional, controlled environment. Only $30 for festival goers, a $15 discount!
5:00PM-8:00PM | FRIDAY NIGHT HOT LAPS | BEAR CREEK NURSERY
Kick-off your Fat Tire Festival weekend with a creek side Individual Time Trial (ITT) Short Track Competition benefitting the Eureka Springs NICA Student Mountain Bike Team! ONLY $10 to enter with $5 reruns. Prizes for fastest times by age groups.
RECREATION | SATURDAY
9:00AM-1:00PM | EUREKA DOWNHILL | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Featuring the O.G. gravity line in the region, DH2 at the Lake Leatherwood Bike Park, spectators are welcome as riders rip through the woods from top to bottom at the inaugural Eureka Downhill competition.
9:00AM-5:00PM | THE GRAVITY FEED ALL-DAY DOWNHILL SHUTTLE PASS | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
All-Day Downhill Shuttle Passes can be reserved from The Gravity Feed for an additional fee at thegravityfeed.com.
11:00AM-5:00PM | FAT TIRE FESTIVAL EVENT EXPO | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
11:00AM-3:00PM | FESTIVAL PASS CHECK-IN | EUREKA SPRINGS COMMUNITY CENTER
Grab a Festival Pass to jump in on hosted group rides and then break out the noisemakers for spectating the rowdy competitions! Only $20/person and includes two guided mountain bike group rides, mid-ride aid stations, intown parking at the Eureka Springs Community Center, drink discounts, raffles, and more!
2:00PM | BIG TOWN RIDE | EUREKA SPRINGS COMMUNITY CENTER
The epitome of the Fat Tire Festival experience, these group mountain bike rides range in distance and difficulty as they follow a labyrinth of in-town singletrack, alleyways, and back streets often only known to locals. Not recommended for first timers, the Big Town Ride is best suited for cyclists’ comfortable navigating rocky terrain and steep climbs. Festival Pass required.
4:00PM-6:00PM | WHEELS UP BIKE CLINICS | ALL-AGES OPEN JUMP JAM | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Featuring multiple jumps and airbags from 2 feet up to 6 feet tall, throw down during this All-Ages Open Jump Jam in a professional, controlled environment. $30 for festival goers, a $15 discount!
5:00PM-9:00PM | SATURDAY NIGHT INTOWN SOCIAL | GOTAHOLD BREWING
Celebrate the day at the festival’s intown social featuring live music, food trucks, and $1 off discounts for festival goers at this family friendly, award-winning destination brewery.
7:00PM-9:00PM | FESTIVAL FEAST | GROTTO WOOD FIRED GRILL AND WINE CAVE
Join festival staff to revel later into the evening with an elevated feast in the heart of Eureka Springs. Hosted at the Grotto Wood Fired Grill and Wine Cave, grab a couple of these limited tickets and enjoy preferred seating for the live music that follows. Only $60/person and includes a Festival Pass for the weekend.
9:30PM-11:30PM | LATE NIGHT LIVE MUSIC | UPSTAIRS AT GROTTO
Festival goers looking to burn the late-night oil can head to Upstairs at Grotto for live music with Crescent City Combo, a popular funk groove and brass dance band. 21 and up!
RECREATION | SUNDAY
9:00AM-3:00PM | EUREKA ENDURO | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
An annual stop on the Arkansas Enduro Series, the Eureka Enduro is a rowdy weekend of racing through the Victorian-style resort town of Eureka Springs. The community is home to some of the best mountain biking in Arkansas, and spectators are welcome – noise makers encouraged.
9:00AM | FAT TIRE FESTIVAL LEGACY GROUP RIDE | EUREKA SPRINGS COMMUNITY CENTER
Hop in on hosted mountain bike group rides that retrace portions of the original AMBCS racecourse - from in front of the historic Basin Park Hotel to Lake Leatherwood. Ride distances ranging from 10-15 miles in length. Includes a shuttle from Lake Leatherwood back to the Eureka Springs Community Center. Festival Pass required.
9:00AM-5:00PM | THE GRAVITY FEED ALL-DAY DOWNHILL SHUTTLE PASS | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
All-Day Downhill Shuttle Passes can be reserved from The Gravity Feed for an additional fee at thegravityfeed.com.
11:00AM-1:00PM | WHEELS UP BIKE CLINICS | ALL-AGES OPEN JUMP JAM | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Featuring multiple jumps and airbags from 2 feet up to 6 feet tall, throw down during this All-Ages Open Jump Jam in a professional, controlled environment. Only $30 for festival goers, a $15 discount!
11:00AM-4:00PM | FAT TIRE FESTIVAL EVENT EXPO | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
2:00PM-3:00PM | WHEELS UP BIKE CLINICS | OPEN BAG JUMP JAM | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
Featuring multiple airbags from 2 feet up to 6 feet tall, throw down during this complimentary Open Bag Jump Jam! FREE for the first 60 participants registered for other festival events INCLUDING Festival Pass holders.
3:00PM-3:45PM | WHEELS UP BIKE CLINICS | BEST TRICK COMPETITION | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
4:00PM | FAT TIRE FESTIVAL PODIUM AWARDS | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
CLINICS | SATURDAY
9:00AM-11:00AM | WHEELS UP ADULT LEARN TO JUMP CLINIC | AGES 17+ | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
The Learn to Jump Skills Clinic will help riders 17+ understand the components to becoming comfortable getting up and over jumps - including body position, lifts, and landings. Obstacles featured in this clinic include drops, jumps from 12 inches to 4 feet tall, and AIRBAGS up to 4 feet tall! Festival goers save $40 for this professionally coached mountain bike clinic. Limited to 12 participants.
2:00PM-4:00PM | WHEELS UP YOUTH LEARN TO JUMP CLINIC | 24” WHEELS AND UP | 17 AND UNDER | LAKE LEATHERWOOD
The Learn to Jump Skills Clinic will help riders 17 and younger understand the components to becoming comfortable getting up and over jumps - including body position, lifts, and landings. Obstacles featured in this clinic include drops, jumps from 12 inches to 4 feet tall, and AIRBAGS up to 4 feet tall! Festival goers save $40 for this professionally coached mountain bike clinic. Limited to 12 participants.
LODGING
Finding the right place to stay each night is just as important as what tire pressure to run during the day. Whether you’re searching for a hotel packed with family-friendly amenities or for a quiet cabin to connect with nature, you’ll find it in Eureka Springs.
HOTELS & MOTELS - Eureka’s hotels & motels offer every convenience to make your Eureka Enduro weekend a hit. From the haunted 1886 Crescent Hotel to the outdoor adventure themed Wanderoo Lodge, endless options are available at www.visiteurekasprings.com.
VACATION RENTALS - Eureka Springs offers a variety of vacation rentals for any group size. From rentals connected to the trails to a converted historic church, find the perfect rental for your Eureka Enduro weekend at www.visiteurekasprings.com.
LAKE LEATHERWOOD CITY PARK - Lake Leatherwood City Park offers a wide variety of lodging options including 6 fully furnished cabins, 3 mini-cabins, and 4 RV sites with water, electric, & septic hook-ups. To reserve, just visit www.eurekaparks.com.
DRY CAMPING - Limited Dry Camping spots are available for purchase during event registration. Please refer to the event’s online registration service for additional details.
RESTAURANTS
From fine dining in a cave to sipping award-winning craft beverages, Eureka Springs has something for all your (taste)buds. Eureka’s local restaurants provide the perfect place to dine, drink and be entertained after any ride. To start planning your after-the-ride dining experience, visit www.visiteurekasprings.com.
PREPARE
SAFETY - This is not the time to skimp on protective equipment. Helmets are required to be worn while participating in scheduled festival events and we highly suggest a full-face helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads for gravity competitions.
TEMPERATURE - In late September, the temperature in Eureka Springs typically ranges from 57°F to 74°F and is rarely below 45°F or above 84°F.
WATER & SNACKS - While hydration will be available at select locations on course, riders are encouraged to plan to carry at least 50-60 ounces of water and enough snacks to sustain themselves under strenuous exercise.
NICE TO HAVES - Bug spray, sunscreen, spare tubes, pump or CO2, plugs, patches and other parts.
DOGS - Dogs are allowed but are required to be on a leash at all times. No exceptions.
TRASH - If you pack it in, pack it out. We are guests. Please follow all event sustainability and recycling requests.
RACE DAY MEAL - A post-race meal will be provided to racers and volunteers following the Eureka Downhill and Eureka Enduro competitions. Redeemable meal tickets will be provided at the Registration & Timing tent. Additional food trucks and other resources will be made available onsite for fans, family and friends.
WAIVER - All participants will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to riding or competing in festival events.
REFUND POLICY - The Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival will be held rain or shine, and refunds will not be issued except under extreme circumstances. The Event Organizer reserves the right to adjust the schedule due to any unforeseen circumstances including rescheduling the event to a future date.