The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, working with Central Arkansas Water and local conservation partners, announced the opening of 13.5 miles of new natural-surface trails in the Maumelle Pinnacles Conservation Area along the south shore of Lake Maumelle.
Trail connections and access
The new trail network includes the South Lake Trail, a 9.8-mile route that runs from WestRock Landing Marina to the Pinnacle Mountain Visitor Center. Three additional spur trails connect the lakeshore route to Rattlesnake Ridge and Blue Mountain, allowing a variety of loop and out-and-back options for visitors. Pinnacle Mountain State Park serves as the principal trailhead and visitor hub for the expanded system.
- Total new mileage: 13.5 miles of natural-surface trail
- Signature route: 9.8-mile South Lake Trail, WestRock Landing Marina to Pinnacle Mountain Visitor Center
- Connections: Spur trails link South Lake Trail to Rattlesnake Ridge and Blue Mountain
Partners, purpose and site context
The opening was announced at Pinnacle Mountain State Park and attended by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Blake Weindorf, chief operating officer of Central Arkansas Water. State officials described the work as a milestone in implementing the Maumelle Pinnacles Conservation Area master plan, a coordinated effort to conserve and provide public access to lands that extend from downtown Little Rock to Lake Sylvia.
The project adds new outdoor recreation opportunities close to urban population centers while preserving mature hardwood and pine stands and lakeshore views. The announcement also included the addition of two new concessionaires operating within the opportunity zone around Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Next phases and planning
Officials said future phases of the MPCA master plan will add on- and off-road routes to further link destinations across the conservation area. The current work emphasizes soft-surface and paved pathways that tie the park, the lake and neighboring ridges into a continuous recreational system.
The Maumelle Pinnacles Conservation Area represents years of coordinated planning among state agencies, water utilities and local partners to secure permanent conservation of public lands while expanding access for residents and visitors in central Arkansas.
