Pinnacle Mountain State Park is a nice place to to spend your day doing hiking and it's only about 20 minutes from downtown Little Rock. I spent a few hours hiking on one of the more difficult hiking trails and it was a great experience! The trail was clean and well labeled, but the only difficult part was locating the same trail markers going down the mountain, especially since there are so many rocks and boulders throughout the entire terrain so it was very easy to miss several trail markers on the way down. I love that the state park offers a variety of trails and difficulty levels, so whether you are a beginner hiker or a more experienced hiker, you are bound to have a good time. I enjoyed the trail and the experience of doing some rock climbing, and if I'm ever in the area again I will definitely come back! read more

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1. The new visitors center is STUNNING and has beautifully clean bathrooms, as well as concessions that might be open occasionally? Love the free AR state park "passports" you can get as well - so many high-quality details!! 2. This was a challenging but well-marked hiking path. For context, we were told there is a "hard" side or an "extra hard" side to hike LOL. We chose the "hard" side. You do need some moderate physical fitness - a good portion of the "trail" was just spray-painted yellow marks on large rocks and boulders you have to climb. But we did it all in under 2 hours? Great views from the top, and there is a wonderful playground in the middle of the parking lot too! What a unique and fun experience. Honorable mention: we saw a raccoon in a Christmas sweater. read more

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My family has been going here for years! We love walking the trails and exploring the nature! It's a great place to take the kids!

One of my favorite hikes I have done is the east summit. Stunning views and a very challenging hike. My dog was able to complete most of the hike but did have to carry her down some of the more challenging rocks. They have kayaking and paddle boarding as well for rent via kiosk. They no longer rent canoes. It was pretty pricey (about $65 for a 2 person kayak for the day). Overall a great time. read more

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The ranger was very informative and helpful. The West Summit was difficult (summertime), but doable. Definitely recommend in cooler weather.

Great improvement underway at Pinnacle State Park. The facilities are getting a facelift and the hiking trails are in great shape. Always worth the climb! read more

Went hiking up the mountain and it was a great trail. I don't have much experience hiking so I can't compare it to much, but it was very nice. There were separate trails to take that were different difficulties, it wasn't littered, and there were a few benches along the way to stop and relax. The views were great and it wasn't very challenging to get to the top, though it was exhausting. Many stone steps along the way as well as you move up the first half. read more

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Pinnacle is beautiful, it's a steep hike and we visited here several times while we lived here. It is great exercise with a good view of Lake Oauchita and a lot of Arkansas at the top. Bring lots of water and binoculars to ensure a good time. Check the weather too! There is a high chance of lightning strikes during a rainstorm. It's the tallest peak in Arkansas. The park also features a well developed playground and bathrooms on sight. There is also a lot of room for walking your dog, and plenty of parking. Make sure to park in a space, though. This park is patrolled frequently by a park ranger and a state park, parking ticket is $200. read more

This was another recommendation from my coworkers here in LR. It's a beautiful state park with multi use trails (for hiking, mountain bikers, etc). There is a visitor's center with a nice scenic overlook of the river. There is a "hard side" and "easy side." Since I wasn't familiar with the area, I took an "easy" trail. If you're (visiting from outside the area) looking for a harder route, make sure to map the directions to Pinnacle Playground. I took the Lower Trailhead and went up the Coachwhip Trail and down Middle Mountain- Carnasaw. I wish there had been more trailmarkers along the route, as it was quite a ways around the Coachwhip trail, and it was getting pretty late in the evening. Despite it being a hot day, the shade provided a cooler hike for me. Make sure to bring bug spray! Oh, and I hear hiking up to the summit to see the sunrise and/or sunset is a must! I can only imagine how stunning it is! read more

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Super easy trail with stunning views! My husband and I went right before the sun was setting so we were able to get the best of both worlds! We got to the peak and enjoyed the beautiful views. The trail is super easy and can be done with little ones as well. Being the daredevil my husband is, we decided to go off trail a little and climb some rocks to get up the mountain. If you're feeling a little adventurous...I say go for it too! read more

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Not only is there the mountain to climb, but there are multiple trails to walk. Depending on how you are physically there is an easy and a harder side. the veiw is beautiful and the hike is quick. I love it. read more

The pinnacle mountain trail is NOT FOR BEGINNERS. It is a steep incline with long bouts of bouldering for an average view at the top. Not for anyone with any fragile conditions or joints. Nicely marked however. read more

I hiked from the visitor center to the Rocky Valley Trail to the scenic overlook via the East Quarry Trail. Two hours in 95 degree humid weather but it was worth the view at the end. It rained the night before so the trail was very wet (creek-like) in many parts. I suggest a hiking stick (I nearly slipped and fell a couple of times) if you go after it rains. A very pretty place For a hike. Well worth the drive from Little Rock and it read more

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So first stop entering Pinnacle Mountain is Parks on lower level of trails and fishing area . Family stop for kids!!! Yes! Very nice water and nice Bathrooms and play ground kids will enjoy! Then we got back in car to drive to gift shop & visitor center ! A easy walk up low steps up , up,up, easy steps up! easy for handicap elderly friends with cane. Yes we walked a trail that started out concrete then moved into shaded wilderness watch for rocks , not a great walk for couch lovers but try it you may love it! I wish the dog lovers would have picked up the poop along the path, I just told my kids "probably wild wolves " beautiful breath taking rock formations steep up but fun trails. beauty to your sight; silence and relax into a meditation! read more

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My favorit place in Arkansas！！I have done to hike both East and West side！！I totally recommend West side for people who hike there first time！! read more

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Cool place with amazing views. It was more challenging than I anticipated. Indeed, the initial signs states "strenuous walking" and towards the end, you'll find yourself basically navigating over rocks. It took longer to get back down since you had to balance yourself on the rocky trail. Nevertheless, it was a fun challenge that definitely provides some cardio. People of all sorts (children to seniors) were found on this trail so I think a novice could attempt this if there are no medical concerns. The trail was not too long and it can be done within 1.5-2 hrs round trip. I came on a weekend and it was quite crowded (this was soon after the New Years so perhaps many were fulfilling resolutions). Thus, I had to utilize the overflow parking lot across the Hwy 300. read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

I totally turned my back on any touristy attraction in Little Rock, and decided instead of the presidential library, (which I still want to see), after discussing Little Rock with locals here on Yelp, chose to spend an afternoon at pinnacle Mountain State Park. I turned on my Garmin, and drove up Pinnacle Valley Road, and knew I was close to the mountain, cause my ears were popping. Always a good sign. I never, ever turn down visiting mountains if I happen to be in the area. This isn't only a mountain, it's a huge park area. It has over looks, and trails, shelter houses, and a very nice area for viewing the Arkansas River. I hiked up to the lower summit, and got concerned I'd get lost going back to my rental car. Rental cars bring terrible anxiety to me. The trails, atleast the one I walked on has wooden "steps' in place, in walkable distance of each other. The trail is marked with signs, but I still think, if you are alone, it's easy to get lost. The trail goes all the way to the top of the mountain. Plus, I don't have a water bottle....note to self, next time... I do plan on returning to this, and Mount Ida, which is near Hot Springs. I want my son to see this, and we can go up to the top of the mountain together. I'm a so so so glad I visited Pinnacle Mountain State Park, other than the coolness of the entire park, I had no idea that there were mountains here. Seriously, the air is the cleanest between here and Denver on Estes Peak. I walked the base trail, which took a long time, up to a set of rocks, and stopped. I love to climb mountains, and this one is no different. I saw alot of people with dogs, and kids. At the over look area, you can ride paddle boats, uh, a bit cold now, but maybe not. I'm not that far that I can't drive down here, spend a few nights a visit the mountains in this area, and I intend to do just that. read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

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There was a nice visitor center with a small overlook. We went on the two easiest trails- Kingfisher Trail (a trail with trees and small creek) and the Arboretum Trail (lots of plants). Both were super short. I can't imagine how many mosquitoes there must be during the summer. I'm sure the more strenuous hikes were great but we unfortunately were unable to do those. read more

If you're a fan of hiking and find yourself in Little Rock, you should probably stop here. The most popular trail is the summit trail, and its definitely worth the climb up to the top. The views of the surrounding and the city is pretty breathtaking! The trail is pretty tough, there are some boulders and ledges, but is doable in 1-2 hours. Stay adventurous! read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Summit Trail - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

This place was great! Pretty well marked trail. I wasn't expecting the rock climbing (not sheer of course) near the top. It was a good workout for me. The view at the top was spectacular. Very windy on top, so expect to be windblown. Bring water if it's hot out. We went in the evening in April and were still thirsty by the time we were done. Watch out for the poison ivy. It's healthy up there! read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - The view from the top at sunset - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

This place is beautiful peaceful and relaxing along with breathtaking views and moments read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

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The climb is a good workout, but the view at the top is worth every bit of it! Even the easiest trail may be difficult for some because it can be steep at times, but bring good shoes and plenty of water and you will have a great time! Absolutely beautiful. read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

We visited family and they said this was a must do thing and with it being hot in July to do it in the morning first thing. Our young daughter was a little scared at first but when we got to the top she loved it. The only thing I would suggest would be for them to make a sign point to the hard side and the easy side. We took the hard side but wouldn't change my mind next time I would still do the harder side as it was not that much different. It took us 40 minutes to the peak with a party of 5 and that's including a young child. If your in the area and want to do it I would suggest doing it! The virus at the top is so worth it!! read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - One of the views from the peak - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

Beautiful, beautiful place! The lady in the visitor center was so very friendly and helpful! This is a great place to hike and take photos. Not good for mobility challenges. read more

Bring a lot of water and even though a difficult hike is worth the view. There is even a shaded area just down from the summit to enjoy a sack lunch. read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

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Can I get a lift please! Although it is a short hike it is a rough one...at least for the first run. I have been back 2 more times since! There are different sides of the mountain, so be careful as to which one you choose. The first couple rounds, my friends and I took the normal easy rout, but then we decided to be brave and try the harder one. FML! we found ourselves climbing lots of rocks (boulders) with barely any trail. It was a great challenge! If you have the balls, go for it. Just beware, be prepared for the hot sun on the harder side, not much shade, so bring lots of water and snacks. Both sides of the mountain will take you up to the same top, so if you feel like crap after choosing the hard side, you can always make you way down the easier one. West: Easy -They have markings so you know how far you are from the top! East: Hard View: Lovely, especially over the summer. Green everywhere! Don't forget to take a pano! read more

If you have a spare afternoon in Little Rock, this is a fantastic place to go for a hike with a great reward at the top. Drive about 20 minutes outside of downtown and you'll soon hit farm fields and forests. Another 10 minutes and you're in Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Take the West Summit Trail to the top--it's heavily traveled, but it's steep and modestly challenging. You'll take about 45 minutes to go up and about 30 minutes to go down, but you'll want to save some time to see the fantastic, nearly panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the Arkansas River. A beautiful day hike for all, young and old. read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

I love nature/outdoorsy activities but the bugs hate me. My first time was in 2005 through the east summit trail, tougher hike. I accidentally kicked a wasp's nest and got stung on each leg. The east summit has bigger rocks and can get quite steep-- getting on all fours would be recommended. We took the west summit trial this time (1.5 miles total). There were bumblebees swarming everywhere, but didn't get bit (thank goodness). Unfortunately, I went after a night of drinking and so it took us over an hour just to reach the top (due to multiple breaks) and only 30 minutes going back down. I thought the hike down would be scary due to some steep inclines, but it was fairly quick and easy. There are small loose rocks than can make you slide and sprain an ankle so look where you are stepping. I slid, but thank goodness it was a light fall. It's best to pay attention to the yellow painted rocks/trees and it guides you where to go and probably the easiest way to hike. Luckily my friend knew to stick to the left coming up as it is the easier, less steep hike. The trails are laid out with rocks to step on (some may be slippery due to some sand), but for the most part, the path is clear-cut. There is an area where you hike up nothing but big rocks (that was the fun part for me). It can get dangerous. I somehow ended up bleeding from a large scratch, but I was probably too tired to feel a scratch on my leg. I didn't notice this until after the hike was completed. The hike, overall, was pretty much shaded thanks to the trees, but unfortunately the summit is not. Once you reach the top you're fairly tired and want to rest, but if you go on a 100-degree day like we did you cannot sit up there and enjoy the view for long. I ran out of Gatorade by then. The view is worth it! I enjoyed it and would like to hike it again in the fall. Pack plenty of water! read more

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I love hiking, love it! I've hiked in parks across the country, and cannot live for long in a place where there isn't anywhere to get a decent day hike it. With that in mind, take some of my comments with a grain of salt! When I first heard about Pinnacle Mountain, I (and I imagine many transplants to LR) scoffed at the idea of a "mountain" so close to town. But, I wanted to try it anyway, and I was shocked at how nice it was! It's a beautiful hike up a relatively short mountain, and though the path is very good there are some parts of the trail that can be difficult for people not used to hiking. There are multiple paths you can take as well, and some of them are much harder than others, so if you're new to the walk don't be afraid to do a little scouting, and even switch approaches if you need to. That said, for my wife and I as regular hikers, this one was on the easy side. It was plenty to get the blood pumping though! And it's well worth it. Little Rock is in a beautiful area, and that's no more apparent than from the top of the tallest point anywhere nearby! From the top you can see a few small lakes, the Arkansas river, Little Rock, and woods in all directions. It's a wonderful reward for making it to the top! And there are two peaks too, both with slightly different views. But, another perk, it's dog friendly! Bring your furry friend on a leash, and they'll love you forever for giving them such a fun dog day! All is not shiny and perfect, the two things I had trouble with were first, how crowded it was. We went on a pretty busy Saturday, but it's often quite busy, so be prepared for that. Also, I was shocked that in the middle of all of the crowds, there were at least a few people smoking. I mean, come on! You're out hiking AND in the middle of a crowd of people! But that's just me - and just a heads up in case you're as annoyed by that as I am I think I'll be up here at least once in every season. I went first on a warm day in winter, and it was awesome - and because there were no leaves on most of the trees, I got the best views all the way up! In spring it's shady, greener, and the views are more colorful. In summer, it's a pure test of stamina, and then in fall, it's a wild spray of fall colors! Check it out! read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Spring, very different than the Winter view! - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

Beautiful mountain and park! Lots of trails to hike. Pet friendly but some trails are more difficult than others. I had to carry my little dog for part of one hike. Not paved pathways, real hiking, dirt trails with sticks and rocks and elevation. Great views! Some picnic areas with tables. So peaceful and I look forward to more hikes here! read more

Just enough nature for the non -nature friendly. Multiple options for hiking for non hikers. Will definitely go back again!

OK, we are beginner mountain bike riders and we said we were looking for a challenge. We arrive at pinnacle mountain at around 5p and we read that it's about ! 2 hour trail so that was pushing it... long story short, we panicked... it got dark, we lost the trail, we ended up detouring off the trail making a beeline to the highway because being in the woods in the dark without a strong light was out of the question...it was crazy... something marked off the bucket list...i do not recommend this trail for beginners and definitely go with plenty of sunlight remaining... read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - That Jackford Mountain Trail is crrrazzzy... not for beginners at all! - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas

It's fun. There are things that young kids can do. They can walk trails climb the mountain and more.

Great climb. West side is slightly easier than the east. Both climbs have excellent views at the top. Also several trail options at visitor center. read more

We were in the area and decided to make a visit to the Pinnacle Mountain State Park. We were pressed for time and were between trips from Little Rock to Hot Springs but wanted to check out the mountain park for a little while. We did not get to hike it all the way through but we did get to explore it for some time. I liked that the trails were clearly marked and easy to understand so one does not get lost and you can have a better understanding of what areas to explore. The park had a lot of folks on both the East and West Side. We explored the West side. We also got some great photos once we left from the mountainside of the hwy. I look forward to my next trip here so I can further explore the trails and finish exploring the beautiful Pinnacle mtn. read more

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The hike to the summit is fairly short but strenuous. Totally worth the hike as it's a beautiful view once you reach the top. The trail itself is clean and well marked. Highly recommend the hike. read more

This place is so amazing. It's the perfect place to work out for anyone and everyone. There are several routes to choose from so depending on the level of your fitness, you go from there. We went on the second easiest trail and so there was a bit of a climb and incline, which I enjoy a good sweat session. It wasn't too crowded, but there were some people. When you get to the stop, the view is amazing. You can see all around you, and if the weather and timing is right, you might even see some condors circling around, which is what happened with us. Best thing ever. read more

This is a great hike! Take plenty of water and some sort of energy bar for the top where the view is spectacular. This hike never gets old and the sense of achievement at the top makes you want to do the ROCKY dance!! Once you do it a few times - you can start to time yourself to make it even more fun and be able to guage your fitness! My suggestion is that you park at the main entrance (West Summit entrance) and walk around the mountain to the East Summit entrance and hike up to the top from there and then hike down the West side to your car. The East Summit hike is definitely strenuous over several boulder fields but it is a lot of fun. Would be appropriate for kids who are coordinated and a bit older (9+) depending on your kid unless you strap them to your back. =) Again take water and an energy bar at the top - you will need it! This route can take quite a bit of time 3-5 hours depending on your speed and if you have kids with you. For a shorter hike - I just run up the West side and back down - takes me about 65 minutes round trip - but I am hustling and I stop at the top for a bit of a look! OH! The parking area and amenities (bathrooms, vending machines) are clean and well taken care of. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! read more

I've never climbed a mountain before yesterday, so I definitely feel like I have crossed something off ye ole bucket list. Especially after we saw it from the distance and were like, we are never going to climb that! It also seemed like there was nice picnic and bathroom facilities. Here are my tips: This is a grown up place. If your kid can't walk or crawl, do not hike them to the top, because it is dangerous. As we were walking up we saw a bunch of people walking down with babies on their shoulders and in their arms. I'm not sure what is wrong with these people, but I think putting these children in danger like this is just irresponsible. I slipped a couple times, I can't imagine what would've happened if I had a baby on my shoulders when I slipped. I also saw some little kids crying because they were scared. Just let them go home. On the other hand there was a 7-10 year old crowd that were the boss of the mountain and I heard a girl exclaim to her parents "I can see the whole world from up here". This mountain is also not for fat, old, short legged dogs. Leave those poor puppies at home. I'm looking forward to going up the east side (the hard side) and walking the base at some point. Also renting kayaks sounds right up my sporty alley! read more

Used to hike pinnacle mountain as a kid all the time when my family and I lived in little rock. Now we only get to come when we visit our family once a year or so. I've been hiking this for almost 20 years now and it's still just as beautiful. It's a little flooded right now so the main entrance up is inaccessible but there is an alternate trail. Since the sun sets early, I recommend you start heading down no later than 4:15ish so you don't have to hike in the dark. The park technically closes at 6 so the ranger will start announcing the gate closing but obvi if there are still cars there, he would have to wait. Its a must stop for both locals and visitors! read more

Pinnacle Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roland, Arkansas