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Little Rock

Little Rock Opens New Trail to Lake Maumelle

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders inaugurated the new hiking and biking route as part of the Maumelle-Pinnacles Master Plan.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Hiking

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a winding forest trail leading to a distant lake, representing the new regional trail connection.
Little Rock officially opened a new biking and hiking trail on October 23, 2026, providing a continuous non-motorized route to Lake Maumelle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe expanded hiking and biking trails in your area improve your community's quality of life?

A new hiking and biking trail officially opened for public access on October 23, 2026, linking downtown Little Rock to Lake Maumelle. The project is a key component of the ongoing Maumelle-Pinnacles Master Plan.

Why it matters

The project integrates vast recreational areas to improve non-motorized access between urban centers and regional park lands. By creating a continuous route, the initiative simplifies travel for outdoor enthusiasts across the region.

The regional project encompasses 24,000 acres of protected park lands. The trail system will eventually link Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Blue Mountain.

The players

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

She is the current Governor of Arkansas and presided over the opening of the new trail.

The details

The newly opened section allows residents to travel by foot or bicycle from downtown Little Rock through to the shores of Lake Maumelle. This initiative builds on previous expansions announced last year that connected Pinnacle Mountain to Rattlesnake Ridge.

Timeline

  1. September 2025: Expansion to Rattlesnake Ridge was announced.

  2. March 2026: The Maumelle-Pinnacles Master Plan was first announced.

  3. October 23, 2026: The new trail opened for public access.

Culture Shift

This development follows the trajectory set by the Maumelle-Pinnacles Master Plan. The project marks a clear move toward prioritizing integrated regional outdoor connectivity over isolated park use.

Residents can now utilize the new trail for commuting or recreational transit from downtown Little Rock to Lake Maumelle. The connection provides a practical, non-motorized route for outdoor enthusiasts to reach major state park landmarks.

The takeaway

The addition of this trail significantly improves accessibility to regional wilderness areas for city dwellers. Hikers and cyclists should check local park maps to identify the newly connected entry points for their next excursion.

Further reading

Explore more outdoor recreation opportunities on the Hiking page.

Live Poll

Do you believe expanded hiking and biking trails in your area improve your community's quality of life?