PINNACLE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
Pinnacle Mountain is a day-use park dedicated to environmental education, recreation, and preservation. Located just west of Little Rock, this natural environment was set aside in 1977 as Arkansas's first state park adjoining a major metropolitan area. Operating as a day-use only park, Pinnacle Mountain is dedicated to preservation, recreation, and environmental education. Park interpreters and volunteers help visitors and students understand man's relationship to the environment in the 2,000-acre park that offers a rich diversity of natural habitat.
Special interpretive programs that are conducted by the park interpreters may be scheduled by contacting the park.
The park's dominant natural feature, Pinnacle Mountain, rises more than a thousand feet above the Arkansas River Valley. The mountain's cone-shaped peak has long been a central Arkansas landmark. Two of the park's hiking trails lead hikers to the mountain's summit.
Park facilities include picnic sites, two standard pavilions with restrooms, launch ramps, and hiking trails. The park visitor center overlooking the Arkansas River includes exhibits, A/V programs, a meeting room, and gift shop.
Within the park's environs is the Arkansas Arboretum, a 71-acre site exhibiting native flora representing Arkansas's six, major natural divisions. Below Pinnacle Mountain along the Little Maumelle River, the arboretum includes a .6-mile barrier-free, interpretive trail.
Camping is not available at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. However, campsites are available at Maumelle Park, located just 3.8 miles east of Ark. 300 on Pinnacle Valley Road. This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park on the Arkansas River contains 129 campsites with water and electrical hookups, and tables and grills; bathhouses with hot showers; two pavilions with restrooms; a playground; dump station; and boat ramp.
Park gates at Pinnacle Mountain State Park are closed one hour after sunset.
Located in Arkansas, the park was established in 1977. It spans over 2,000 acres and features Pinnacle Mountain as its centerpiece. The area is known for diverse habitats including upland ridges, wetlands and hardwood forests.
In prehistoric times it served as a landmark to Native Americans traveling through the region. In more recent history, during World War II an auxiliary army airfield existed near present-day visitor center.
The state acquired land for this public space from private owners between 1973-75 with help of federal Land & Water Conservation Fund money.
Today it offers various recreational activities like hiking trails reaching summit of mountain or along Big Maumelle River; picnic spots; interpretive programs etc., attracting nature lovers annually.