Popular Trail in Arkansas Closed Due to Serious Erosion

The popular three-to-five mile Fossil Flats trail in Devil's Den State Park has been closed to the public. Rushing water from the adjacent Lee Creek has eroded a large part of the trail due to the record rainfall and heavy flooding the state has endured. “It [the creek] just ate the trail away,” Devil’s Den Assistant Superintendent Tim Scott said.

"It's been frustrating to have Fossil Flats closed, but riders should resist the urge to ride the trail", said Dave Renko, the director of the Eureka Springs Fat Tire Festival for mountain bikers. Even though there are other trails in the park, Fossil Flats is "one of the more popular and publicized sites."

Chris Crone, a mountain biking enthusiast from Eureka Springs, said the trail is a key path to other rides in the park. “Fossil Flats leads to everything out there...sort of a main artery. I probably wouldn’t go out there if it’s not open,” Crone said.

It is estimated that it will cost $3,000 to $5,000 to repair the trail.  It will have to be relocated a little bit inland from the creek's high-water banks.

The goal is to have the trail fixed by mid-September when the Northwest Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship takes place at the park.