West Summit Trail at Pinnacle Mountain State Park

A short hike up to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain in Little Rock, Arkansas via the West Summit Trail offers the hiker amazing views of three rivers, the Ouachita Mountains and the city of Little Rock. The hike to the summit is a strenuous climb but well worth the effort.

Directions

Pinnacle Mountain is located off Highway 300 in West Little Rock. Get there via Interstate 430 and take the exit for Highway 10 west. Follow Highway 10 until a traffic light at the intersection of Chenal Parkway, Highway 10 and Highway 300. Make a right onto Highway 300. The park entrance and the parking area to the West Summit Trail are located on the right.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Pinnacle Mountain became a state park in the 1970's. The park includes Pinnacle Mountain, at 1,011 feet and the Fulk Mountains. A visitor's center, many trails and an arboretum are free for visitors to use. There is no fee to park or use the trails.

West Summit Trail

Trail Rating - Strenuous

Trail Surface - Rock, boulders and dirt

Handicap Accessible - No

Pets Allowed - Yes

Distance one way - ¾ miles, out and back mileage is 1.5 miles.

Time to complete - Allow 2 hours or more
Stroller friendly - No

The trail starts in the parking lot across from the Kingfisher Trail and playground area. West Summit Trail is blazed in yellow on trees and rocks. There are 10 markers on metal posts to let you know how far along the trail you have traveled. After marker 10 follow the yellow trail blazons until you see marker 10E (East Summit Trail). You can turn around at this point.

From the trailhead, follow the trail up stone steps and it will intersect with the Base Trail. Stay on the West Summit Trail and keep ascending up the steps. It soon turns to a rocky path. The lower part of the trail has barriers to the steep slopes. As you ascend toward the summit, there are no barriers. Around marker 3 you will be able to see Lake Maumelle. Farther up the trail is the beginning of the rock and boulder field. From here you can see views of Shinall Mountain and the Maumelle Pinnacles. This is where the trail becomes difficult. Some of the rocks are loose. Stay as close to the trail markers as possible. As you climb through the rock and boulders be sure to stop and take in the views. Just before marker 10 an area to the left offers amazing summit view along the top ridge of Pinnacle Mountain. Head back to the trail and bear to the left to continue past marker 10 following the yellow trail markers to another summit area.

At the summit, the yellow West Summit Trail markers end and you will see marker 10E for the East Summit Trail. Turn around and retrace your steps down the mountain.

The summit can be quite windy. In cooler weather a jacket is handy. In warm weather wear sunscreen as there is no protection on the rocky mountain face from the sun. Take plenty of water with you.

Important Information

This is a strenuous hike. Small children will have a difficult time reaching the summit on their own. Prepare to carry small children and toddlers, little legs get very tired on the trail right around marker 7. A good quality child carrier designed for hikers is recommended if you plan on bringing kids weighing less than 45 pounds.

Medium to large dogs should find the hike challenging but fun. Small dogs run the danger of falling in between the boulders and they may get tired and have to be carried.

The park closes 1 hour after sunset. All hikers must be off of the trails 1 hour prior to closing.

Amenities

The West Summit Trailhead is located in the picnic area. Make your hike part of an all-day outing. Picnic at one of the tables with grills, play on the playground with the kids, and take an easy hike along the Kingfisher Trail (trailhead is near the playground) to view the cypress trees. A restroom is centrally located to the trails, playground and picnic area. Exit the parking lot and make a right turn onto Highway 300. Make a right turn again onto Pinnacle Valley Road to visit the arboretum, the visitor's center and rent a paddle boat in the Quarry Lake catch a view of the Fulk Mountains.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy hiking the West Summit Trail at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Reaching the summit is an exhilarating experience. Take pictures of the awesome views. Add mountain climbing to your list of accomplishments after reaching the summit.