Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Pinnacle Mountain State Park is a 2,356-acre state park located in Pulaski County, Arkansas just outside of Little Rock.[1] The main attraction is Pinnacle Mountain, an iconic landmark surrounded by the bottomlands of the Big Maumelle and Little Maumelle rivers.
| Pinnacle Mountain State Park | |
|---|---|
 Lake Maumelle from Pinnacle Mountain (February 2015) | |
  Location of Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas | |
| Location | Pulaski County, Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas, United States |
| Coordinates | 34.841416°N 92.485815°W |
| Area | 2,356 acres (9.53 km2) |
| Established | 1977[1] |
| Named for | Pinnacle Mountain |
| Governing body | Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism |
| Website | Pinnacle Mountain State Park |
History
The first people to settle the area referred to Pinnacle Mountain as "Mamelle", the French name for a boob-shaped hill.[2] "Mamelle" eventually became "Maumelle", which is the name used for the Big Maumelle and Little Maumelle rivers, as well as the nearby city of Maumelle.[2] A trip to Pinnacle Mountain was a popular activity in the 1800s.[2] Climbing became even more popular with the construction of the local railroad in the 1890s and common use of the automobile in the 1900s.[2]
Quarrying for sandstone and shale within the modern park began in about 1920.[2] The eastern slope of Pinnacle Mountain was a major source of material for the construction of the Lake Maumelle dam in the 1950s.[2] Located immediately northwest of Pinnacle Mountain, Lake Maumelle is a high-quality raw water supply serving a population of almost 398,000; the reservoir went online in 1958, at least two years after the Big Maumelle River was impounded.[3] In the 1960s, extensive quarrying of sandstone took place at the modern visitor center, the result of which can be see by the quarry pond.[2]
The idea for a park had been considered for many years, but did not get off the ground until the 1970s.[2] In 1973, the Arkansas General Assembly approved the creation of Pinnacle Mountain State Park.[2] Since then, 2,356 acres have been set aside for various purposes including environmental education, outdoor recreation, and preservation.[1]
Hiking
Pinnacle Mountain State Park features a number of hiking trails.[4]
Trails that start at the West Summit parking lot are the 0.5-mile Kingfisher Trail, which passes by the Little Maumelle River, and the 1.5-mile West Summit Trail (marked by yellow blazes).[4] The West Summit Trail is the standard route up Pinnacle Mountain and is easily one of the most trafficked trails in Arkansas.[4]
Trails that start at the East Summit parking lot are the 1.5-mile East Summit Trail (marked by red and white blazes), which also ascends Pinnacle Mountain, and the 2.5-mile Base Trail (marked by light green blazes).[4] The Base Trail loops completely around the base of Pinnacle Mountain and connects the East Summit trailhead to the West Summit trailhead.[4]
Trails that start at the visitor center are the 2-mile Rocky Valley Trail (marked by green blazes) and the 1-mile East Quarry Trail, a spur of the Rocky Valley Trail.[4] The 223-mile Ouachita Trail (marked by blue blazes) also starts at the visitor center, crosses Pinnacle Valley Road at the East Summit parking lot after 1.5 miles, and overlaps a 0.5-mile section of the Base Trail before continuing west towards Lake Maumelle.[4]
The 0.75-mile Arkansas Trail is located near the center of the Arkansas Arboretum, a 71-acre site exhibiting native Arkansas flora.[4]
Camping
Camping is not allowed inside Pinnacle Mountain State Park, however, it is allowed at Maumelle Park, a nearby public campground operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.[1]
See also
References
- "Pinnacle Mountain State Park". Arkansas State Parks. Retrieved 2017-10-30.
- "Pinnacle Mountain State Park". Central Arkansas Library System. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
- "Lake Maumelle" (PDF). Central Arkansas Water. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
- "Trails of Pinnacle Mountain State Park" (PDF). Arkansas State Parks. Retrieved 2017-10-31.