25 May 2010 Pinnacle more than just a mountain

“We have an advantage, being right next to everything,” said Interpreter Susan Staffeld. “And we have a lot that is wild.”

Much of the park’s 2,000-plus acres are accessible only be canoe. 

The park’s motto is “Pinnacle Mountain State Park is more than a mountain.”
Indeed it is.

Kayaks and canoes can be rented to explore the park’s rivers. In spring, the busiest season, guided canoe trips are offered.

Children’s camps include canoe instruction.

Paddleboats can be rented at the quarry pond near the Visitors Center east of the mountain.

Park personnel maintain over 30 miles of hiking trails, about 15 miles within the park and 15 more in the adjacent wilderness area, including two summit trails, a base circumnavigation and the two-mile Rocky Valley Trail, which offers splendid views of two rivers. Guided backpacking trips are also available.

The Visitors Center, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 361 days a year, features a variety of exhibits.

The Arboretum, on Pinnacle Valley Road east of the mountain, has a half-mile paved nature walk, featuring Arkansas’ six ecological divisions. From the main trail, six woodland loops meander through the six areas.

Soon the park will add another recreational opportunity. Three mountain-bike trails are under construction off Pinnacle Valley Road and should open this year.

Picnic areas, pavilions, two boat launches and a fishing pier offer other recreational opportunities.

Because of its educational focus, Pinnacle Mountain is the only park with three interpreters: Staffeld, Kristina Root and Courtney Todd. Superintendent Ron Salley, Asst. Superintendent Josh Jeffers and five other year-round and three seasonal employees complete the staff.

To fulfill its mandate, the staff provides numerous programs, among them owl prowls, eagle watches, geology weekends, “bat chats,” hayrides, “star parties” and meteor shower viewings.

The park has definite seasons, Staffeld says. A feature of spring is the visiting school groups. Many have been to the zoo, she said, but “have no idea about those animals in their own back yard.” Her job is to teach about Arkansas’ animals in a way that kids will appreciate and respect them.

Staffeld believes educating children is a big part of the park’s responsibility. “You never know which kid will become a legislator and want to protect our parks,” she said.

Two April days with their own celebrations are National Astronomy Day and Earth Day.

Summer is family season.

“We do lots and lots of programs for families,” Staffeld said. “Lots of night-time programs because it’s so warm during the day.”

This summer, three children’s camps will be offered:

 “Nature Explorers,” a day camp for ages 7-9, will be June 14-18. Canoeing, hiking, nature games and woods exploration will be included.

 “Adventure Overnight Camp” for ages 11-13 will be July 21-24. It will focus on camping skills. The youth will do most of the work, setting up their own tents and even doing the cooking.

“Wilderness Explorers,” a day camp for ages 10-13, will be Aug. 2-6. Participants will explore the park’s wilderness areas and learn survival skills such as fire making.

Two celebrations highlight fall: A September jazz festival and Rendezvous, held in November, which features reenactments of pioneer and Native American activities.

Winter brings mosquito-free, poison ivy-free hiking, Dutch oven workshops and campfires and survival skills workshops (aimed at adults) and hayrides. The February “Sweetheart Hayride” for couples is always a big hit.

The park was opened in 1978. It gets a quarter- to a half-million visitors annually.