Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located just northwest of Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...

, USA

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains

Ouachita Mountains

The Ouachita Mountains are a mountain range in west central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The range's subterranean roots may extend as far as central Texas, or beyond it to the current location of the Marathon Uplift. Along with the Ozark Mountains, the Ouachita Mountains form the U.S...

 near Natural Steps, Arkansas

Natural Steps, Arkansas

Natural Steps is an unincorporated census-designated place in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States, just 18 miles northwest of Little Rock along the southern bank of the Arkansas River, on Arkansas Highway 300. As of the 2010 census, its population is 426. Today, it is a small farming community...

 on Arkansas Highway 300

Arkansas Highway 300

Arkansas Highway 300 is a designation for two state highway in Central Arkansas. The main route of runs from AR 9/AR 10 east to Cantrell Road in Little Rock...

. The primary natural feature of the 2000 acres (809.4 ha) park is Pinnacle Mountain, elevation 1011 feet (308.2 m), which rises steeply above the Arkansas River Valley, at an elevation of 300 feet (91.4 m).

Hiking

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

Arkansas Arboretum

The Arkansas Arboretum is a arboretum located within Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Situated below Pinnacle Mountain along the Little Maumelle River, the arboretum's flora and tree plantings correspond to Arkansas's six geographical regions, ranging from the...

 and the Kingfisher Trail next to the Little Maumelle River. The 223 miles (358.9 km) Ouachita National Recreation Trail

Ouachita National Recreation Trail

Ouachita National Recreation Trail is a long, continuous hiking trail through the Ouachita Mountainsof Oklahoma and Arkansas.The trail is primarily a hiking and backpacking trail, but about 2/3 of the trail are available to mountain bikers....

 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.

Camping

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.

Flood of 1927

Picture taken from Natural Steps, Arkansas

Natural Steps, Arkansas

Natural Steps is an unincorporated census-designated place in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States, just 18 miles northwest of Little Rock along the southern bank of the Arkansas River, on Arkansas Highway 300. As of the 2010 census, its population is 426. Today, it is a small farming community...

during the Great Flood of 1927.