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, live animals, 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, one of the coolest visitor centers in Arkansas. Are you ready to explore? Let’s go!

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.
best visitor center in Arkansas
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The center is tucked along the northeast end of the park overlooking the gorgeous Arkansas River Valley.
Inside, you'll find a small museum with lots of information about the park as well as the wildlife in the area.
Chase Carmichael/Google
There are tons of interactive displays to explore, so you could easily spend over an hour inside the center.
Not to mention that there are lots of animal exhibits as well as live reptiles, gators, turtles, spiders, and more.
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The kids will have a blast exploring all that this visitor center has to offer.
After you've exhausted the exhibits, head outside to bask in the natural beauty of the area.
best visitor center in Arkansas
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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.
Prakash Velu/Google
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.
Prakash Velu/Google
And after you're done basking in all that beauty, continue your trek to the scenic overlooks along the trail.
Torin Gray/AllTrails
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.
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And since there are multiple overlooks, you'll have a chance to witness different vantage points of the gorgeous River Valley vistas.
best visitor center in Arkansas
Megan Carter/AllTrails
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.

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Pinnacle Mountain State Park Visitor Center, 11901 Pinnacle Valley Rd, Little Rock, AR 72223, USA