Arkansas River Trail a great place for biking, hiking
Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-record. Today, Deary takes readers on a journey to the Arkansas River Trail.
After a two-year sabbatical from riding my bicycle, I recently decided that it was time to get off of my keister and get my bike back into riding condition. Of course, my conditioning also had to be addressed. In fact, it would take many hours of ride time before I could remotely consider attempting the distances that I had grown accustomed to just a few years ago.
I started with short rides along fairly level terrain. And although still reluctant to attempt the ascent to atop tower mountain, I have started riding along routes that are somewhat more hilly and noticeably longer.
I recently crawled out of the sack early and embarked upon a drive to the Arkansas River Trail. I had previously ridden this particular route a number of times. And although the route was rather flat, it would certainly provide me with some much-needed time in the saddle. In fact, I was preparing for a ride in the neighborhood of 15 miles.
The trail begins at the William J. Clinton Library and Museum in Little Rock, crosses a steel bridge spanning the river and makes its way alongside the waterway for approximately 7.5 miles, to where it crosses the river via the Big Dam Bridge.
The trail then heads back down the river, toward downtown, utilizing several roads along the way. I have ridden this entire route only once, and for good reason. I am not a huge fan of sharing busy roads with vehicles. And it just so happens that the aforementioned route back to the library utilizes a couple of sections of road that are far too busy for me to consider myself as remotely safe.
That being said, I always found it far more enjoyable to simply ride to the top of the Big Dam Bridge, turn around, then backtrack to the point where the ride began. This section of the route seldom shares the road with vehicles. And the few times it does, the traffic is practically nonexistent.
Although I had always started at the Clinton Presidential Library, during previous rides, I was aware that traveling to the starting point via Interstate 30 would prove dreadful. Something as simple as finding my exit might prove somewhat of a chore, as the state is in the midst of a rather large road project in the vicinity.
That in mind, I chose to park at Cook’s Landing, just below the Big Dam Bridge. I had never traveled to this particular access point. However, it was extremely easy to find.
From Hot Springs, take Highway 70 east for 17 miles to Interstate 30, where we’ll head in an eastward direction, toward Little Rock. Travel 18 miles and take Exit 129 onto Interstate 430 north, toward Fort Smith.
Remain on 430 for 12 miles and take Exit 12, immediately after crossing the Arkansas River, onto Highway 100/Maumelle Boulevard/crystal Hill Road. Go 0.4 miles and turn right onto Crystal Hill Road. Travel 600 feet and take another right onto Northshore Drive. Go 400 feet and take yet another right onto Cook’s Landing Road, drive one mile to the destination.
The parking area is situated within sight of where the Arkansas River Trail begins its ascent to atop the Big Dam Bridge. Although we will be traveling in the opposing direction, one might consider taking a short detour to the top of the structure, as the view, both up and down the river, is impressive.
OK, after catching our breath and taking in the scenery, let’s make a descent back to the parking area, and strike out along the route in the direction of the Clinton Presidential Library.
Although the ride to atop the Big Dam Bridge was a rather long ascent, not to worry. In fact, pretty much the remainder of the ride is level, with the exception of when we cross the river just before turning around and backtracking to the starting point.
From the parking area, the route begins to parallel the large waterway, as it will pretty much do the entire trip. The trail makes its way through the edge of Burns Park shortly thereafter. Although one will not likely find themselves in need of a rest stop yet, we did take refuge from the rain at the pavilion that is situated beside the trail during our most previous ride.
The path then veers away from the river for a short distance, crosses a bridge and begins easing back in the direction of the waterway. It meanders through a peaceful setting for a ways, prior to heading up the slightest of a hill and running alongside what appears to be the remainder of some type of a quarry.
Although the quarry is no longer in operation, one can clearly see where material was previously mined from the nearby mountainside. And the foundation of what I suspect was once a conveyor belt leading to the water’s edge is situated within a few feet of the trail.
At one point, the path makes its way across a bridge, alongside the road and makes an abrupt right-hand turn through a wooded area. There is yet another slight ascent at this point. But again, it is nothing that one will find difficult.
The route eventually makes its way back to the road that it will share for a very short distance prior to tying in with a designated path running alongside a golf course.
The route will enter Emerald Park shortly thereafter; lending to an opportunity for one to use the restroom or take a breather, if needed. The path will meander through a wooded setting for a short distance while en route to the Riverview Park.
From Riverview Park, the route will once again share the road for a short distance. But as earlier suggested, one will likely not notice any traffic. In fact, it’s not uncommon to ride along this short stretch and not see a vehicle.
The trail leaves the road, veering to the right and in the direction of the river. It then runs between several houses and the waterway for a short distance, prior to making its way beneath a railroad trestle and between the shoreline and Dickey-stephens Park.
The path then makes its way through a couple of parking areas prior to sharing the road for a short distance one more time. But again, the traffic will likely be light, and the run is short.
The trail then makes an abrupt right-hand turn and begins an ascent to atop the bridge that leads to the presidential library. Although the climb is somewhat lengthy, it is not overly steep. And the view from atop the bridge is certainly worthy of the effort. The view, up the river, consists of several bridges and the skyline of the downtown area.
Looking in the other direction, the scene is totally different. In fact, it is a stark contrast to the urban setting that is in the opposing direction.
I suppose one could turn around, at this point and begin their journey back to the rig. But why not go that little extra, turn around at the parking area and begin the ride back to the starting point with a mild climb?
Yep, the Arkansas River Trail lends to a peaceful and easy excursion alongside Arkansas‘ largest waterway, both for the cyclist and the hiker. And it is a destination that I plan to revisit time and time again in the near future.