Pulaski: Nature Trails, Art and History

A trip to Pulaski can combine nature, outdoor activities and culture in different ways. The options range from protected landscapes and nature trails to a long route along the lake, an art collection and historic sites. For planning your day, the specific types of routes are especially useful; a zoo tour also has a set duration and a minimum group size. This can help you decide how to fit nature experiences and culture into your stay.

Nature Areas with Distinctive Character

Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area protects rare plant and animal species and includes the rare Ouachita Mountain Sandstone Outcrop Barrens community. The Rattlesnake Ridge Trail System is designated for hiking and biking. The protection of unique natural areas and trails for outdoor activities offer two different ways to experience this theme.

Lorance Creek Natural Area is mostly a flat, groundwater-fed wetland. A paved footpath and boardwalk lead into the wetland. Here, the wetland landscape and the boardwalk leading into it shape the character of the place. If you are interested in wetlands, the combination of a groundwater-fed landscape and a trail into the area is a specific aspect of a visit.

Hiking Trails by Length and Type

At Lake Maumelle, you can compare two hikes by length and type. Bufflehead Bay Trail is a 2.3-mile loop with views of the lake. Loon Point/Farkleberry Trail is a 0.7-mile out-and-back hike, also with views of Lake Maumelle. The shorter stated distance is for the out-and-back route; the longer trail is described as a loop.

A considerably longer route is the Vista Park/Ouachita National Recreation Trail: it starts in Pinnacle Mountain State Park east of the lake and runs 22 miles along the north shore of Lake Maumelle. Its length clearly sets it apart from the two shorter hikes. Check current trail and access conditions before setting out.

Two Rivers Park has hiking and biking trails and covers 1,000 acres. Two Rivers Park Inclusive Playground is open from sunrise to sunset; check current opening hours before visiting.

Big Dam Bridge is 4,226 feet long and is the centerpiece of the annual Big Dam 100 cycling race. If you would like to plan your trip around the race, check the event dates in advance, as details may change.

Art and History

The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection is the museum’s permanent collection and includes two- and three-dimensional art. It spans eight centuries, with a focus on works on paper and contemporary crafts. Its broad time span and these areas of focus offer different perspectives on the collection. The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts offers self-guided audio tours in English and Spanish, introducing the building, grounds and works on display.

At Lassis Inn, culinary history and the history of the civil rights movement come together. During the civil rights movement, it served as a refuge for African Americans, where they discussed community, racism and freedom. Lassis Inn has served fried catfish since 1905. The name thus brings together a historic record of conversations about freedom and a long history of food.

The historic tower building, considered to be the birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur in 1880, now houses a museum about Arkansas military history. The story of MacArthur’s birthplace and Arkansas military history as a museum subject come together here.

A Tour as a Time Block

Little Rock Zoo offers 60-minute tours led by trained educators and zoo guides. The fee is $3 per person, and the minimum group size is ten people. Check availability and participation requirements before your trip. This makes it easy to factor the duration, price and minimum group size into your day’s plans.

Discover more destinations: Jacksonville, Maumelle, Sherwood, North Little Rock, Little Rock, Lonoke County, Randolph County, Faulkner.

For the broader travel overview: Arkansas.