Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located just northwest of Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains near Natural Steps, Arkansas on Arkansas Highway 300. The primary natural feature of the 2,000-acre (810 ha) park is Pinnacle Mountain, elevation 1,011 feet (308 m), which rises steeply above the Arkansas River Valley, at an elevation of 300 feet (91 m).
Contents |
A number of hiking trails are in the park. Two of the most popular trails ascend to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain: The West Summit Trail is one of the most heavily used trails in Arkansas, while the East Summit Trail ascends even more steeply up several rock scrambles. The 3.5 mile Base Trail loops completely around the base of Pinnacle Mountain and connects the East and West Summit Trailhead areas. Two interpretive trails are the Arkansas Trail through the Arkansas Arboretum and the Kingfisher Trail next to the Little Maumelle River. The 223-mile (359 km) Ouachita National Recreation Trail has its eastern terminus in the park, near the visitor's center. The Rocky Valley Trail also starts near the park visitor's center and forms a two mile loop. The East Quarry Trail spurs off the Rocky Valley Trail midway through the loop to climb in elevation along the east end of the park, providing views of Pinnacle Mountain and the Arkansas River.
Although camping is not allowed inside the park itself, campsites are available at Maumelle Park, which is 3.8 miles away from Pinnacle Mountain. This is an Army Corps of Engineers facility with water and electrical hookups, a boatramp, and tables with grills.[1]
Picture taken from Natural Steps, Arkansas during the Great Flood of 1927.