Historic Butterfield Trail cycling route being extended from Missouri to Fort Smith | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - Arkansas' Best News Source

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

What once was old is new again for the Butterfield Trail as the historic stagecoach and military route is being repurposed for cyclists in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.

The Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission is expected to vote in December to recommend approval of a route through Washington and Benton counties that will be part of a bicycle touring route that parallels the historic Butterfield Stage Route between Jefferson City, Mo., and Fort Smith, about 500 miles in total when complete.

"It's really great to be able to ride on a designated route from Jefferson City to Fort Smith as you're passing by and utilizing a route that was used back in the 1800s," said Elizabeth Bowen, project manager with the commission. "Each of the maps we've put together will have each of those sites that you can stop and visit."

The Frontier Metropolitan Planning Organization, which serves Fort Smith and the River Valley, is expected to approve the route through Crawford and Sebastian counties, according to Reese Brewer, the group's director.

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Historic Butterfield Trail cycling route being extended from Missouri to Fort Smith | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - Arkansas' Best News Source

MoBikeFed comment: This is a continuation of the Butterfield Stage Experience route in Missouri (Jeff City-Springfield) and the two will be connected via USBR 251 (forthcoming) as well as an "adventure gravel connection" between Springfield and Pea Ridge AR.

So a major advance and a really amazing 500+ mile adventure cycling route connecting Jefferson City to Ft Smith AR!

https://mobikefed.org/ButterfieldStageExperience