The Little Maumelle River Water Trail
If you are on the lookout for a canoeing or kayaking venture, the Little Maumelle River Water Trail is an easily accessible paddling option in Little Rock. The scenic views you can find here include cypress trees and wildlife that range from warblers to wading birds. The Little Maumelle River flows to the south of Pinnacle Mountain and east to the Arkansas River.
Launching points to the water trail on this water route can be found at Pinnacle Mountain State Park and also at Two Rivers Park Access and River Mountain Park Access. The river mileage from the access points at Pinnacle Mountain State Park to Two Rivers is around 8 miles. There are options for various amounts of mileage including launching from the boat ramp access at Pinnacle Mountain State Park and paddling down the river as far as you might want to go before turning back around to the launch site. However at certain water levels it can be difficult to get back upstream-so keep water levels in mind.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park provides a landscape for lots of activities you can combine with a float. Along with hiking to the top of Pinnacle, whose peak reaches an elevation of around 1,000 feet, there are plenty of trails to take on for hiking and biking adventures too. The park has habitat along both the Big and Little Maumelle rivers.
Two Rivers Park has a prime location at the junction of the Arkansas and Little Maumelle River and along with providing access to this water trail, you can also walk, bike, fish, and more at the park.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park has guided float trips on this water trail and canoe and kayak rentals are also available. Rock Town River Outfitters also offers guided kayaking tours and other experiences.
An interesting feature of the Little Maumelle River Water Trail is that you can camp out on it. A camping platform is available by reservation near North Woods Ranch at the William Kirsch Preserve. This 230 acre Nature Conservancy property borders Pinnacle Mountain State Park and has views of Pinnacle Mountain. The property is home to 3.5 miles of trail that go along 1.7 miles of the Little Maumelle River.
Looking for more paddling options nearby? Check out the Sleepy Hollow Water Trail.
For more paddling options in Arkansas, check out the website for Arkansas Water Trails.