5 in the 501: Spring a perfect time to take a hike

23 Mar 2018 5 in the 501: Spring a perfect time to take a hike

Posted at 2:16 PMh in Features by Sonja Keith

Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock at sunset. (Photo courtesy of Arkansas State Parks)

While cool temperatures hint that winter has not completely moved on, the budding flowers and shrubs signal that spring is nearing. Now, is the perfect time to head outdoors to enjoy the beauty of the 501 while hiking one of the many great trails in Central Arkansas.

PINNACLE MOUNTAIN

STATE PARK

Located at Little Rock, Pinnacle Mountain features a variety of hiking trails with different degrees of difficulty. Trails range from the least strenuous Arkansas Trail in the center of the 71-acre Arkansas Arboretum to the more difficult east and west summit trails.

BIG DAM BRIDGE

The 501 boasts the longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in North America. The 4,226-foot span, built atop Murray Lock and Dam between Little Rock and North Little Rock, connects over 14 miles of scenic riverside trails.

littlerock.com/little-rock-destinations/big-dam-bridge

PETIT JEAN STATE PARK

Located in Conway County, Petit Jean has more than 20 miles of trails that showcase the park’s natural beauty. Among those is Cedar Falls Trail, which is described as moderately strenuous, but the hike to the 95-foot falls is worth the two-mile roundtrip. petitjeanstatepark.com

WOOLLY HOLLOW

STATE PARK

Enjoy the beauty of northern Faulkner County along the 10-mile hiking and mountain bike trails at Woolly Hollow, located near Greenbrier. The 3.5-mile Huckleberry Trail starts at the bathhouse in the campground and loops around Lake Bennett. The trail continues along the ridge, with scenic views of the lake.

arkansasstateparks.com

CADRON SETTLEMENT PARK

Located near Conway along the Arkansas River, the 150-acre park offers hiking trails and great places for a picnic. The park is operated by the City of Conway through a lease with the Army Corps of Engineers. conwayparks.com

Author
Recent Posts

Sonja Keith

Co-owner of 501 Advertising and Publishing/Publisher of 501 LIFE. A native of New Iberia, La., Sonja is a graduate of Hartman High School (Johnson County) and Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. Sonja is active in the community, serving on various boards and committees including the Conway Regional Women’s Council, the UCA Reynolds Community Council and the Faulkner County Council on Aging. A daughter of Mary and Stan Clinesmith of Conway, she has three younger sisters, Tricia, Stacey and Lori. Sonja and her husband, Tom, have four grown children – James, Emily, Laura and Joe. The family attends Grace United Methodist Church in Conway.