Pulaski County
Lake Maumelle/Maumelle River WMA Nature Trails
Lake Maumelle’s eastern edge lies about eight miles west of the junction of Interstate 430 and Arkansas Highway 10 in Little Rock. The three trailhead parking areas are to the west along Highway 10.
Quick Facts
Maps
Important Numbers
Pulaski County EMS
911
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
501-340-6600
Central Arkansas Water
501-377-1239
Stop Poaching Hotline
833-356-0824
Distances
Bufflehead Bay Trail:
Enjoy a 2.3-mile loop with views of Lake Maumelle. The first half-mile is paved; the rest has a natural surface. Foot traffic only.
Loon Point/Farkleberry Trail:
This is a 0.7-mile, out-and-back hike with views of Lake Maumelle.
Vista Park/Ouachita National Recreation Trail:
This trail begins at Pinnacle Mountain State Park just east of the lake, follows the north shore of Lake Maumelle for 22 miles, providing good access for viewing wildlife in the upland woods adjoining the lake. For more information on this trail, which traverses across Arkansas to Oklahoma, visit friendsot.org. The trail crosses Highway 10 on the west side of Lake Maumelle near Vista Park.
Lake Maumelle is the main source of drinking water for 450,000 people in and around Little Rock. The lake was built in 1958 for $9 million. Central Arkansas Water owns the 8,900-acre lake and about 9,000 acres of land around it. For information about lake use, visit carkw.com or pick up a brochure at WestRock Landing | Marina at Lake Maumelle.
Lake Maumelle’s wooded shoreline and clean, clear water attracts water birds throughout the year. Winter is an especially good time to see feathered visitors from the north foraging in and around the lake. Scan the open water of the main lake for many species of water birds that often visit. Common loons turn up, as well as a variety of diving ducks such as lesser scaup, common goldeneyes and buffleheads. Three species of mergansers have been reported – hooded, red-breasted and common and four species of grebes – pied-billed, eared, horned and western. Watch the skies for gulls (Franklin’s and ring-billed frequent the area), and shoreline pines for bald eagles. Rarities seen here include red-throated loons, red-necked phalaropes, long-tailed ducks, white winged scoters and black scoters.
Anglers ply the waters of Lake Maumelle for bass, crappie, catfish and bream. Check the current Arkansas Fishing Guidebook for details.
Hunters pursue deer and small game around the lake. Check the current Arkansas Hunting Guidebook for details on Maumelle River WMA.
Check out the nearby Sleepy Hollow Water Trail, a 5-mile loop along the wooded Bringle Creek and Maumelle River, and the open water of upper Lake Maumelle.