Pinnacle Mountain Adds Monumental Mountain Biking Trails

The Monument Trails system is a statewide classification of trails across Arkansas that are the result of a partnership between Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Parks & Recreation Foundation. They’re built with the latest technology to improve ride enjoyment and sustainability, and they can be enjoyed by riders at every skill level. This new, 13-mile trail network at Pinnacle Mountain State Park allows visitors to discover areas of the park that were never before accessible, giving them a glimpse into an unexplored side of one of central Arkansas’s most iconic spots.

While these trails are optimized for mountain biking, all but a few are open to hiking and trail running. Below is the current list of Monument Trails at Pinnacle Mountain. Links in the descriptions will take you to various trail map applications that can give you more information and GPS locations when using a GPS enabled smartphone. Also, remember that all older hiking trails in the park are still open to hiking only.

Jackfork - 4.59 miles - (Green Circle) Jackfork has a bit of everything; fast, flowy downhills, well-built climbs, alternate lines with jumps, gaps and drops. Access it at the Visitor Center parking lot or the Lower Mountain Trailhead.

Coachwhip - 2.18 miles - (Green Circle) Also known as a National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)* trail. This trail was designed as a beginner ride with a few alternate rock features and berms to help riders improve their skills. A loop is considered completed by crossing the road at the two trailheads and using the Lower Stick Trail to return to where you started. (*Founded in 2009, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) develops interscholastic mountain biking programs for student-athletes across the United States.)

Centipede - 0.60 miles - (Green Circle) This is the climbing trail to get to the various downhill trails on Middle Mountain. It has a lot of switchbacks but is an overall and easy climb. Access it from the Middle Mountain Trailhead.

Armadillo Run - 0.52 miles - (Green Circle) This trail is only for bikes and follows a downhill direction. If you've always wanted to try a downhill trail, this is where you start. Fun and fast with bermed turns. Access it from the top of Centipede.

Middle Mountain Run - 0.46 miles - (Green Circle with Blue Square) This trail is also just for bikes, and flows in a downhill direction, as well. It’s a beginner downhill route with a bit more technical features from Armadillo Run with steeper berms and more rollers. Access it from the top of Centipede.

Lower Stick - 0.38 miles - (Green Circle) This is the return trail for the downhill trails from both Mountains ??? and Jackfork. It can be accessed from the Lower Mountain and Middle Mountain trailheads. It also connects to the Upper Stick to return to the Upper Mountain parking area.

Upper Stick - 0.33 miles - (Green Circle with Blue Square) This trail connects the Lower Stick and Middle Mountain parking lot to the Jackfork/Upheaval hub and Upper Mountain parking area. It has some mandatory rock gardens.

Upheaval - 0.31 miles - (Green Circle) This is the easiest, quickest way to get to the hub at the top of the Fulk Mountains to gain access to Twistflower and Turkey Track downhill routes plus the middle section of Jackfork.

Turkey Tracks - 0.45 miles - (Blue Square with Black Diamond) Another bike only trail, this follows a downhill direction. It has numerous rock gardens, steep sections and black alternative lines. Access it from Upheaval or Jackfork trails.

Twistflower - 0.53 miles - (Blue Square) This is a downhill that is for bikes only. An intermediate downhill flow with forced rock gardens and rock rides with drops and jumps. The trail finishes with some berms and a tabletop. Access it from Upheaval or Jackfork.

Dynamite - 1.43 miles - (Blue Square) Enjoy a mountain bike playground with various features including jumps, challenging rock sections, big views, and fast flow. Access this trail from the Jackfork Trail.

River Trail Connector - 0.14 miles - (Green Circle) This is a short connector that allows those visiting the trails via bike or walking on the Arkansas River Trail to enter the trail system at the park sign on Pinnacle Valley Road. There is no vehicle parking at this trailhead.

Is mountain biking not your thing? Don’t worry – Little Rock is also home to Arkansas’s best road cycling routes. You can see some of the most popular ones here.