Mill Creek OHV

Mill Creek is one of the main OHV riding areas in the Ozark National Forest of northwest Arkansas. It is roughly 42 miles of marked trail wrapped into three long, interconnecting loops, and it is used by dirt bikes, ATVs, and side-by-sides alike. The riding is rough and rocky: hard-packed dirt with scattered loose chunk rock, a handful of creek crossings, and climbs that run from moderate to steep. Riders who have been there describe it as geared toward the advanced end of the spectrum, though the Forest Service says difficulty varies from easy to very difficult, and the loops let you vary the length of a day.

Trails are followed by colored diamond markers. The blue diamond trail is the long outer loop at about 26 miles, white diamonds are connectors that link sections together, and red diamonds mark a separate loop around Burl Mountain. Along the way there are rock ledges with views over the forest, several waterfalls, and repeated crossings of Mill Creek itself, which can be hard to cross after heavy rain. Elevation runs from about 1,600 to 2,200 feet. Trails are marked but not rated, and they are only lightly maintained, so expect ruts, rocks, and the occasional obstacle.

This is not a place with dedicated motocross or tight, purpose-built singletrack. Most of what you ride is gravel or unsurfaced forest road and trail that is wide enough for side-by-sides, so plan on a trail-riding day rather than a technical singletrack weekend.

Getting there

The staging area is on Forest Service Road 1509 (Mill Creek Road), with a gravel lot, a loading ramp, a vault toilet, an information board, and a self-pay fee kiosk. From Fayetteville, take Arkansas 16 east to Combs, turn south on gravel Forest Service Road 1007 and go about 4 miles, then turn left onto Forest Service Road 1509 and go half a mile. From Ozark, take Arkansas 23 north to Cass and follow gravel Forest Service Road 1520 west, then FSR 1509 north to the trailhead. The trailhead is managed by the Boston Mountain Ranger District. Combs, about a short drive north, has gas and a convenience store.

Fees, permits, and rules

The Forest Service charges $3 per vehicle per day, or $30 for a year, paid at the kiosk or through Recreation.gov. Rangers do check, so keep your receipt with you. State laws on helmets, spark arresters, and mufflers are enforced, and a spark arrestor and a 96 dB sound limit are reported for the trail system. Stay on the designated, marked trails. Arkansas residents must register three- and four-wheeled OHVs with the state, and that decal is not a forest pass; check the current state rules for your machine before you go.

Camping

Camping is not allowed at the trailhead. Dispersed camping is reported along Mill Creek Road north of the staging area, and the Redding Recreation Area campground is a few miles southeast. There is no drinking water at the trailhead.

When to ride

The trail system is open year-round. Spring and fall are the comfortable seasons for the Ozarks, while wet weather makes the creek crossings and rocky climbs harder. Check with the Boston Mountain Ranger District at (479) 667-2191 for closures or recent storm damage before a long drive.