Hiking - Pinnacle Mountain State Park
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Arkansas Trail
Length: 6/10 mile
Time: 3/4 - 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Brochure: Available at visitor center and trailhead
Description: This paved loop trail with numerous benches is the center of the 71-acre Arkansas Arboretum. Audio sign panels interpret the variety of woody plants and trees found in the six natural divisions of Arkansas.
Location: Exit No. 9 off I-430 at Little Rock and travel seven miles west on Hwy. 10, then go two miles north on Hwy. 300
Comments: Wheelchair accessible
Base Trail
Length: 1.25 miles
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Description: A gently rolling to flat trail through upland forest and floodplain hardwoods. From the boat launch in the West Summit picnic area to the East Summit trail head, the pleasant trail leads the hiker from the edge of the Little Maumelle River through the boulder strewn eastern base of Pinnacle Mountain. A challenging three mile loop awaits avid hikers who choose to hike the base trail and hike over Pinnacle Mountain using the East & West Summit rails.
Location: Exit 9 off I-430 at Little Rock and travel seven miles west on Hwy. 10, then go two miles north on Hwy. 300
East Quarry Trail
Length: 1/2 mile
Time: 3/4 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This trail is a 1/2 mile spur from the midpoint of the Rocky Valley Trail. It leads to the estern portion of the park and climbs a steep hillside to another quarry area which offers a rock-lined overlook with dramatic vistas of Pinnacle Mountain and the Arkansas River Valley.
Location: Exit #9 off I-430 at Little Rock and travel seven miles west on Hwy. 10, then go two miles north on Hwy. 300
East Summit Trail
Length: 1.5 miles
Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Description: The trailhead is in the southeast corner of the East Summit Parking Lot on Pinnacle Valley Road. Walk about 10 yards down the trail to the junction, take the right fork and follow the RED and WHITE blazes. This is the more rugged 3/4-mile ascent to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain and requires crossing several boulder fields. Allow 1 to 2 hours depending on weather for this 1 1/2-mile round trip workout. Remember, when you reach the summit there is another trail that would lead you AWAY from the East Summit Parking Lot, so be sure to follow the same RED and WHITE blazes for the shortest descent back.
Jackfork Mountain Biking Trail
Length: 7.4
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The Jackfork Mountain Biking Trail is a wonderful intermediate to advanced mountain biking trail through a rarely seen part of the park. Several interesting bridges along with climbs into the rocky slopes of the Fulk Mountains are memorable parts of this trail.
Location: Lower parking lot near the visitor center.
Comments: This is a technical mountain biking trail with lots of turns, climbs, descents and rock and root obstructions.
Kingfisher Trail (National Recreation Trail)
Length: 1/2 mile
Time: 1/2 - 3/4 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Brochure: Available at visitor center and trailhead.
Description: This hard-surfaced loop trail winds through the floodplain of the Little Maumelle River. Unique plants, wildflowers, animals and birds can be seen here. Along the river, large cypress trees filter sunlight into this special bottomland forest. Birdwatchers will enjoy exploring this trail early in the morning.
Location: Exit No. 9 off I-430 at Little Rock and travel seven miles west on Hwy. 10, then go two miles north on Hwy. 300
Comments: Wheelchair accessible
Ouachita National Hiking Trail (National Recreation Trail)
Length: The section of this 222 mile trail that is in Pinnacle Mountain State Park is 2.5 miles
Time: 1 hour for the section of the trail in the park
Difficulty: Easy
Description: The 222 mile trail begins at the Visitor Center and winds for 2.5 miles through the park and then for 220 miles through the Ouachita Mountains ending in southeast Oklahoma. The park section travels through upland forests along rocky hillsides and the edge of the scenic Big Maumelle River.
Location: Exit 9 off I-430 at Little Rock and travel seven miles west on Hwy. 10, then go two miles north on Hwy. 300
Rabbit Ridge Mountain Biking Trail
Length: 0.65 miles
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Description: The Rabbit Ridge Mountain Biking Trail is designed for beginner off road bicyclists. The trail is wide and although it has minor elevation changes and some rocks to ride over it makes the perfect place for a novice to ride. Kids will particularly like riding on this trail. The Rabbit Ridge Mountain Biking Trail and the Jackfork Mountain Biking Trail are the only trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park that allow bicycles.
Location: Just inside the visitor center entrance to the park off Pinnacle Valley Road.
Comments: This is considered an easy mountain biking trail
Rocky Valley Trail
Length: 2
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: The trailhead starts at the same location as the trail to the Arkansas River overlook in the upper parking lot at the visitor center. Marked in GREEN blazes, this 2-mile loop enters a heavily forested valley after leaving the old rock quarry area. Allow 1-1/2 to 2 hours to go down and back up this valley. The trail is moderately difficult. (For a longer hike and dramatic overlook, see the description of the East Quarry Trail).
West Summit Trail
Length: 1 1/2 miles round trip
Time: 1 1/2 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Brochure: Available at visitor center
Description: This rocky trail begins at the park picnic grounds and winds its way to the top of Pinnacle Mountain. From the top is a spectacular view of Lake Maumelle, the Arkansas River Valley, the Ouachita Mountains and west Little Rock. This is truly a breathtaking view. To return, you must retrace your steps or hike down the rugged East Summit Trail and return via the base trail for a total hike of 2 1/2 miles.
Location: Exit No. 9 off I-430 at Little Rock and travel seven miles west on Hwy. 10, then go two miles north on Hwy. 300
For Information:
Park Superintendent,
11901 Pinnacle Valley Road,
Little Rock,
AR
72223
, (501) 868-5806
pinnaclemountain@arkansas.com
- Contact Information
- 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road
Little Rock, AR 72223
- Email: pinnaclemountain@arkansas.com)
- 501-868-5806
- ArkansasStateParks.com
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