This trail is not in a good section of town. Be sure you leave no valuables or look like you have anything of value in your car. We were there parked between a BMW and Mercedes Benz in our Buick and our back window was smashed out and they ransacked the vehicle. When the police arrived they told us this happens all the time. There are folks there that are watching to see who drives what and when they ride off. I would not recommend this area to anyone. All bikers are great people and its a shame that the city doesn't have the man power to watch it better.

We recently visited Little Rock, Arkansas to experience the Arkansas River Trail. We like to ride the Rails to Trails conversions in particular, but had heard good things about the river trail. Our first ride began downtown at the Junction Bridge location in the Market area. Bikers can use the elevator to take them up a couple stories to the bridge connecting Little Rock with North Little Rock. Currently there are two construction sites on the north side which require a short detour until one can get on the actual trail. Completion date on the bridge and buildings should be in 6 months.

Once on the trail which runs along the Arkansas river for approximately six miles, you ride through various parks and ever changing landscapes. The surface is smooth and well maintained with frequent signage. The northside trail ends at the Big Dam Bridge which has a long manageable gradient offering spectacular views of the Arkansas River in both directions.

On our second day of riding we chose to park at Murray Park on the south side to avoid biking on the surface road which is necessary from downtown. Once at Murray Park the trail can be ridden east to Rebsamen Park and then a quick turnaround back to the west will take you past the Big Dam Bridge to the Two River Bridge. The trail from the Bridge to Maumette is spectacular.

the Arkansas River Trail, while not a Rails to Trails offers a variety of enjoyable experiences for all bikers and should be enjoyable throughout all seasons.

Little Rock has an excellent variety of restaurants and breweries. Lodging can be at several levels, but if you want a real treat, try the Empress of Little Rock. It is a trip back in time.

My husband and I traveled from Nebraska to ride this trail on Sept. 30. Our hotel was in the River Market area, just blocks from the river, the trail, great food, shopping and live music. We started our ride by crossing the Clinton Bridge. The north side of the trail was fantastic! Beautiful river views, several White Herons and sunning turtles. Due to some construction there is a slight detour but this is well marked. The Big Dam Bridge is certainly a highlight with several nice amenities including the bike repair and air station. Amazing views from the top! On the south side of the trail there was too much street riding for our liking. the bike lanes were fine, but not as much of a fan of the dedicated bike routes. That being said, Little Rock motorists were very respectful of cyclists. If I were to ride this again, I would go back over the Big Dam Bridge and retrace our route on the north side. A great asset for the citizens of Little Rock!

My wife and i started at Two Rivers Park and rode the entire loop. We started early to avoid the heat on Sept. 25th. I would not ride the entire loop other than Sunday because the street traffic could be a problem, especially downtown. There could have been a few more directional signs down town.
The area around the Big Dam Bridge was very busy. We both were astonished in the BDB and the expense someone went to for bikers and pedestrains to cross the river there at the dam. We love the trail. My wife usually only rides about 12 miles but she enjoyed it so much, she couldn't stop and turn around - plus she wanted to cross the Clinton bridge downtown.

This trail offers many obstacles from climbing the Big Dam Bridge to following the open roads in a few locations. There is little to no timely cleaning of the trail that leads to lots of spotty areas to dodge carefully. The changes in scenery are pretty grand though the pavement needs some TLC nearing the Clinton Library. Hopefully the trail will keep from flooding as the summer progresses. Not many places in the state that offer the distance of this measure.

This is a great trail! It is not under water or blocked in any way, is is well maintained. I ride on both sides of the river and have found many ways to change this trail up so as not get boring as I try to ride on it everyday on the way home after work and on the weekends. It is really the only safe way to ride in central Arkansas, meaning no cars. If you are in the area on a trip, try this trail, you will like it.

As of July 8th the trail loop is NOW open, although one section is still under water. There is a detour that still gives a beautiful ride and adds about a half a mile to the loop. There are detours as you get to downtown NLR and LR due to the demolition and construction of a new bridge. None the less bikers can enjoy all the sites and aromas along the trail. I recently passed several deer feeding about 20 ft off the paved trail. They gave me a bored look as I passed. But it is always wise to be on the lookout for a deer bolting across the path as there are long stretches where the undergrowth is right up to the pavement. I have seen deer sprint across the trail 30 to 40 feet in front of me. One other caution. There are several flocks of geese that bed down along the trail. Beware of goose grease! And when biking at a pretty fast clip the geese do NOT move even though you bike within 2 feet of them. They think they own the road.

At present (6/8/2015) there is no access to the Big Dam Bridge. Access on the N side of this bridge is under water. Riding a loop is literally impossible.

Riding east to west along the N side of the river, no notice of the closure of the Big Dam Bridge is given, nor is an alternative route offered.

On the S side of the river, riding from east to west a construction-related detour takes the rider through heavy downtown traffic with the added hazard of
trolly tracks. Not at all the experience sought by rail trail users.

These words provide some of the varied venues as I cruise the river trail. The big dam bridge(alleged to be the longest pedestrian bridge in the US) gives a dramatic view of the Little Rock skyline, tugs traversing the Murray Lock and Pinnacle Mountain to the west. Then glide through the cool wooded banks on he north side of the Arkansas river then through soccer fields of Burns Park and along the golf course and back into the woods. As you ascend the trail that is on a shelf overlooking the river you come to the ruins of an earlier era. The huge concrete structures are all that remains of the BIg Rock Quarry, that and the 200 foot orange red cliffs that encompass the overgrown carveout that was once the site of tons of rock being sent upstream and down 75 years ago. As you continue past the skateboard park area you can take a left for and climb to Fort Roots and left again on the trail before you enter the gates and see a breathtaking view of Little Rock and Pinnacle. An inspirational view and a bench situated to rest and reflect. Then back down to the trail and through downtown NLR and across the old Rock Island bridge that has been converted for bikers and pedestrians. It empties in front of the Clinton Presidential Library. Then head back upstream through the River Market and Riverfront Park and, in summer, through a 100 ft tunnel made of wisteria. After winding through streets of Little Rock speed past the little league ball fields and onto to Riverfront Drive for a great flat stretch to sprint for a mile +. Then along the Rebsman Golf course(watch out for hooks and slices) and through Murray Park. If you continue past the lock and dam you cross Jimmerson Creek and then enter Two Rivers Park via the Two Rivers Bridge which carries you over the Little Maumelle River. You will soon find yourself on a mile long stretch that, at times, could be in the everglades or the bayou of southern Louisiana so secluded and dense the vegetation. And the subtle sweet smell of slow moving water and decaying vegetation in the low-lying areas belies the surrounding mountainous terrain. But be careful that you do not collide with one of the deer that populate the woods and upcoming fields. I've counted up to 30 deer gazing at dawn. Once just missed an eight point buck 2 feet off the trail in the early morning light. As the trail enters the main part of 2 Rivers Park(formerly known as Pleasant Valle Penal Farm that had it's on "box" as in "a night in the box" form Cool Hand Luke) you can turn left and enjoy the trails and bike up the shore of the Little Maumelle or go right and head out to Maumelle Park a couple of miles up County Farm Road and Pinnacle Valley Road about 2.5 miles and on to Highway 300 and Pinnacle Park. It is truly a rare opportunity for relaxation, excitement and adventure. And is one of the best bike trails anywhere in the US.