The Coolest Visitor Center In Arkansas Has A Hiking Trail And An Emerald Quarry Where You Can Rent Paddle Boats

It's not often that you come across a visitor center in Arkansas where you could easily spend an entire day exploring all that it has to offer. But that's exactly what you'll find at the Pinnacle Mountain Visitor Center in Little Rock. While most visitor centers provide basic informational materials for travelers and explorers, this visitor center is unlike any other. Featuring hiking trails, scenic overlooks, as well as a stunning emerald, green quarry with paddle boats, this visitor center is perfect for a day trip. In my humble opinion, this is by far, the best Arkansas visitor center. Are you ready to explore? Let's go!

Editor's note: The visitor center at Pinnacle Mountain State Park has been renovated and no longer has live animals.

If you've been to Pinnacle Mountain State Park and you haven't explored the visitor center and surrounding area, then you are missing out.

The center is tucked along the northeast end of the park overlooking the gorgeous Arkansas River Valley.

After you've explored indoors, head outside to bask in the natural beauty of the area.

Just off the parking lot, you'll find the 3-mile Rocky Valley Trail. It leads to scenic overlooks as well as to the most breathtaking emerald green quarry in Arkansas.

There is no swimming or fishing in the stunning oasis, but you can rent a paddle boat at the visitor's center, which would be a blast for the entire family.

The little ones will especially love the turtles and snakes swimming or chilling on the banks of the quarry.

Take a break and enjoy lunch at one of the picnic benches overlooking this stunning lagoon as you continue to marvel at this pretty oasis.

And after you're done basking in all that beauty, continue your trek to the scenic overlooks along the trail.

The trail itself is very rewarding as it features lots of boulders and interesting sites along the way.

Once at the overlook, be prepared to be awestruck by the views of the Arkansas River and the valley below. There's no doubt that this stunning view is a sight to behold.

And since there are multiple overlooks, you'll have a chance to witness different vantage points of the gorgeous River Valley vistas.

Between the hiking trails, the scenic overlooks, live animals, as well as the breathtaking emerald quarry, you'll agree that Pinnacle Mountain has the best visitor center in Arkansas. And if you ask me, it's perfect for a day trip with your family.

Have you ever been to the Pinnacle Mountain Visitor Center in Little Rock? If so, did you hike to the beautiful emerald-green quarry or to one of the scenic overlooks? Share your experience in the comments below.

The visitor center isn't the only cool thing in the area. I recommend exploring the hiking trails inside Pinnacle Mountain State Park. And before you venture on your hike, be sure to download the AllTrails+ app for access to offline maps and more.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/arkansas/ar-road-trip-bucket-list/