Maumelle Recreation Area & Campground (Maumelle Park)
This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers–operated park, located at 9009 Pinnacle Valley Road, offers a rich mix of outdoor activities just a short drive from Little Rock. It features around 128 to 130 camping sites—both tent and RV—each equipped with water and electric hookups, plus several large group picnic shelters. Amenities include restrooms, showers, playgrounds, a boat ramp, a swimming beach, and a pavilion available for reservation—making it a versatile destination for families, groups, and solo adventurers.

 
Outdoor & Water Activities
Set against the scenic backdrop of the Arkansas River and within easy reach of Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Maumelle Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. You can enjoy fishing for bass, crappie, catfish, and bream either from the shore or via boat A boat ramp is available for water access, and bird-watchers often spot bald eagles, ospreys, and other wildlife in the area.

 
Hiking & Trails
The Nuttall Trail, which passes through or near the park, offers pleasant hiking experiences, especially for those looking for a quiet stroll in nature.

 
Maumelle Park

Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, offers a variety of natural wonders and outdoor activities for visitors to explore. From the challenging summit trails that reward hikers with panoramic views of the Arkansas River Valley, to the peaceful Kingfisher and Rocky Valley trails that wind through lush forests and along serene streams, there’s something for every skill level. The park is home to diverse flora and fauna, including seasonal wildflowers, migratory birds, and native wildlife. Visitors can also enjoy interpretive exhibits at the visitor center, picnic by the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers, or explore the Arboretum, which showcases native plant species. Whether you’re hiking, biking, paddling, or simply soaking in the scenery, Pinnacle Mountain State Park offers an unforgettable connection to Arkansas’s natural beauty.

Pinnacle mountain state park

Two Rivers Park (Little Rock, AR)
At the scenic confluence of the Arkansas and Little Maumelle Rivers, Two Rivers Park offers approximately 1,000 acres of lush floodplain terrain—roughly 450 acres of wooded wetlands and 550 acres of open fields Somewhere In ArkansasArkansas.com. This flat, beautifully maintained park is perfect for walking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, canoeing, and even gardening  The park’s paved trails—the “lollipop” loop (around 3 miles) and a larger circular route (about 2.7 miles)—are great for varying your pace or working up a sweat, and can be combined into a roughly 6.3-mile outing Somewhere In Arkansas. On the eastern edge, the Two Rivers Bridge—a pedestrian and biking bridge—spans the water, offering dramatic views of Pinnacle Mountain and the nearby I-430 Bridge beneath a vast Arkansas sky 

 
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Two Rivers Park

Rattlesnake Ridge and Blue Mountain Natural Areas, nestled in the Fourche Mountains ecoregion of the Ouachita Mountains near Little Rock—they showcase dramatic rocky ridges, panoramic views, and rare ecosystems.

Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area, spanning around 373 acres west of Pinnacle Mountain State Park, preserves a rare sandstone outcrop ecosystem that shelters species such as the western diamondback rattlesnake, southeastern bat, and Wright’s cliffbrake fern. Its rocky ridge, rising to about 920 feet, offers sweeping views over Lake Maumelle, Little Rock, and the Ouachita foothills, with multi-use trails designated for hiking and mountain biking—though visitation is carefully managed via limited parking and closures after rain to minimize impact.

Just adjacent, Blue Mountain Natural Area covers roughly 457 acres as the westernmost peak of the Maumelle Pinnacles chain. It protects a mix of dry oak-pine woodland, sandstone glades, and globally rare outcrop barrens, forming part of a 12,000-acre conservation corridor that includes Rattlesnake Ridge, Pinnacle Mountain, and Maumelle Wildlife Management Area 

Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission

The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, founded in 2005 and located at 120 Riverfront Park Drive, showcases two historic World War II–era naval vessels that literally bookend the conflict. The USS Razorback (SS-394)—a Balao-class submarine present in Tokyo Bay during Japan’s surrender—is the centerpiece for authentic, immersive tours that allow visitors to climb a 14-foot ladder and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of life aboard a sub. The USS Hoga (YT-146), a National Historic Landmark tugboat that valiantly responded at Pearl Harbor, complements the collection as one of the only two surviving yard craft from that moment.

Inside, the museum is housed on two repurposed Army Corps of Engineers barges—the Mary Munns (ticketing, lobby, gift shop) and Savannah Lou (exhibits, theater, research library)—adding to the location’s distinctive character. Exhibits include displays on the USS Razorback’s service, the USS Hoga, naval vessels named after Arkansas (battleship and missile cruiser), the history of the Arkansas River, and memorials to lost submarines like USS Snook and USS Scorpion.

The museum also offers exciting extras: submarine sleepovers, school field-trip curriculums, guided group tours, and even birthday party packages—making it an educational and entertaining destination for all ages. As of June 2025, the museum proudly celebrated the 20th anniversary of bringing the Razorback home, marking two decades of enriching visitors from across the U.S. and beyond

Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum

The Ouachita Trail is a famed backcountry route, spanning approximately 223 miles from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock.  The majority—about 177 miles—lies within Arkansas, traversing the rugged terrain of the Ouachita National Forest, with the easternmost 30 miles in Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Along the way, the trail winds through Queen Wilhelmina State Park in the high country and passes two designated wilderness areas: the Upper Kiamichi Wilderness in Oklahoma and Flatside Wilderness in Arkansas.

Hikers encounter dramatic elevation changes—from about 2,600 feet atop Rich Mountain near the state border to roughly 300 feet near Lake Maumelle in the east. The terrain is primarily forested single-track trail marked with blue blazes, featuring dense pine-oak forests, ridge-top views, rock outcroppings, clear streams, and rolling valleys. Along the trail, there are about 21 shelters spaced at strategic mile markers—some built by the U.S. Forest Service, others installed by trail volunteers—providing overnight shelter along this remote route

Big Dam Bridge (Little Rock ↔ North Little Rock, AR)
The Big Dam Bridge, officially named the Pulaski County Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, was unveiled on September 30, 2006 and stretches 4,226 feet long, making it the longest pedestrian/bicycle-only bridge in North America Wikipedia. The bridge gracefully spans the Arkansas River and the Murray Lock and Dam—rising approximately 90 feet above the river—and connects Little Rock’s Murray Park to North Little Rock’s Cook’s Landing Park, linking up to 15 miles of scenic river trail and thousands of acres of adjacent parks Its memorable nickname, “Big Dam Bridge.” The bridge is celebrated not only for its utility but also its aesthetic and community value, having earned awards from the Federal Highway Administration and Illuminating Engineering Society for design and lighting. Locals cherish it as a symbol of possibility: “Connecting the Arkansas River Trail.

 
Whether you're after a peaceful, scenic stroll surrounded by nature or a striking, symbolic landmark that connects trails and communities, The Big Dam Bridge stand out as one of Central Arkansas's most celebrated outdoor gems. One offers natural tranquility and active relaxation across flat terrain, the other embodies architectural inspiration and connectivity over the Arkansas River