Trail Development Process
IMBA Trailhead: two-day intensive workshops during which IMBA staff and local experts and stakeholders lead participants through the steps for a model community trail system: planning, design, building, activation, promotion and measuring success. Attendees will also get a firsthand look at components of an intentional and diverse mountain bike trails community through field visits.
- Do you have rogue trails and need new management strategies?
- Are you working to convince a local land manager that trails are a good idea?
- Is your team struggling to maintain trails in your area?
- Is there property with great potential for trails, but you need help charting your approach?
- How do you get different trail users to work together to make great trails in your area?
Join us at IMBA Trailhead for solutions to these topics and more!
Individuals best-suited to attend the workshops are land managers, community officials, recreation professionals and tourism/economic development staff. In addition to helping you understand the benefits of trails and the experiences desired by mountain bikers, we will provide the knowledge you need to get started making great trails happen locally and help you identify the next steps needed to bring more trails to your own backyards.
The cost to attend is $600, which includes registration, breakfast and lunch, shuttles for field workshops and evening festivities. 10 Scholarships will be available, please contact Marty Caivano for scholarship questions and details.
We’ve brought these in-depth workshops to communities across the country since 2018, equipping community leaders, land managers, recreation professionals, and tourism / economic development teams to create great riding communities in their unique environments. Along the way we’ve learned from the participants too. IMBA Trailhead is the next progression of IMBA Foundations or Trail Labs workshops. What to expect: IMBA and community experts share the Trail Development Process and lessons they’ve learned, through two days of interactive classroom and field sessions with professionals who carry out a variety of different roles related to trails and community development. Join us for IMBA Trailhead to learn from presenters and share your expertise with fellow attendees.
Note that afternoon site visits will be walking and talking tours. We will not get our hands dirty during this event (no trail building), nor will attendees be returning home with a complete, detailed trails plan, but you will walk away with the knowledge and resources to gain momentum in your own community leading to site-specific plans for more trails close to your home.
Reservations: Due to the demand of Trailhead we do not allow spots to be reserved for anticipated registrations. We encourage your group to register early as we are limited to 40 spots. If you would like to know how many spots remain please contact us.
Cancellations & Refunds: A registration may be cancelled with a full refund issued if cancellation is requested up to 30 days prior to the event. Within 30 days of the event date a 50% refund will be issued up to two (2) weeks prior. No refunds will be issued if cancelled within two (2) weeks of the event. In the event IMBA must cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances, IMBA will refund the full cost of registration. However, IMBA does not assume responsibility for any additional costs, charges, or expenses; such as charges made for travel and lodging.
REGISTER HERE
Example Schedule
(please note this schedule is subject to change)
Tuesday, April 21
- Sign up for an optional Tuesday afternoon social outing to kick off your event (choose from either riding or hiking). Outing details will be sent out two weeks before the event.
- 3:00-5:00pm Optional group rides, all levels
- 4:00-5:00pm Optional group hike
- 5:00-8:00pm Welcome reception
Wednesday, April 22
- 8:00am-1:00pm Classroom workshop
- 1:00-4:00pm Field sessions at Local Trail Systems (shuttles will be provided)
- 5:30-7:00pm Optional MTB Ride at Town Square
Thursday, April 23
- 8:00am-1:00pm Classroom workshop
- 1:00-3:45pm Field sessions at Local Trail Systems (shuttles will be provided)
- 3:45-4:30pm Classroom Trail Planning Session
- Closing
Get there and enjoy Bentonville
TRAVEL
- Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, Bentonville
- Tulsa International Airport, Oklahoma (2-hour drive)
- Springfield National Airport, Missouri (2-hour drive)
Do not fly into Little Rock, AR, if possible. It’s much farther away.
Greyhound Shuttles from the Airports
From Springfield, MO, and Tulsa, OK, to Bentonville/Rogers, AR
$30.00 to $60.00 | Book on the Greyhound website
EXPLORE
Enjoy a revitalized downtown square, historic areas, world-class art museums, and an abundance of paved-path and singletrack bicycling options. And bring your appetite; Bentonville is a great destination for foodies. The Wall Street Journal named Bentonville as one of its up-and-coming culinary scenes in 2014 and it has only flourished since then. Explore all that Bentonville has to offer.
LODGING
Airbnb & Short Term Rentals
- Bentonville has many great Airbnb and short-term rentals available at reasonable rates.
Hotels:
Use the links below to book special rates for our event.
- Motto by Hilton Hotel is happy to offer a discounted room block of 5 bunkies and 5 queens at an average rate of $234+tax, first come first served.
Tuesday: $269
Wednesday: $269
Thursday: $199
Friday: $199 - The Block Hotel is pleased to offer a rate of $101 per room, per night, with a cutoff date of April 7, 2026.
BIKE RENTALS/SHIPPING
Renting:
Bikes can be rented locally. Please note you need to select a specific location with each of these retailers. It is strongly recommended that you reserve a rental before you arrive.
Shipping:
Bikes can be shipped to your lodging destination with BikeFlights
