Allsopp Park
4.5(652)google
5.0(2)yelp
Nature
Overview
Allsopp Park is a heavily wooded, rugged urban valley sanctuary hidden directly in the affluent historic neighborhoods of Little Rock. Divided into distinct north and south sections, this extensive park features winding, unpaved mountain biking and hiking trails that feel completely removed from city life. It is heavily equipped with excellent tennis courts, large kid-friendly playgrounds, baseball fields, and scenic stone bridges built during the historic WPA era. It serves as an exceptional nature getaway for local city dwellers seeking shaded woodland serenity.
Practical Info
Mon8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeSpring or October offers the most temperate conditions to explore the rugged forest ravines. Late afternoon from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM on a weekday is idyllic; this unique urban wilderness features a steep, shaded multi-use dirt trail network beneath historic stone bridges built by the 1930s CCC, providing complete natural serenity away from the weekend tennis rushes.
Getting ThereHidden in the scenic ravines of the Hillcrest neighborhood with its northern portal at 3700 Cedar Hill Rd. Drive west from downtown along W Markham St for 2 miles, turn right onto N Lookout Rd, and then make a left turn down onto Cedar Hill Road. Follow the hill slope for 0.5 miles into the park's spacious, complimentary paved valley lot.
Travel Tips
- The deep ravines of the park hide dense, narrow single-track mountain bike gravity drops with blinded sightlines. Pedestrians must rigidly avoid paths designated with bicycle emblems; hiking against the cyclic flow guarantees critical high-speed collisions.
- The cross-sector historic stone arch bridge maintains extremely constricted lane parameters bordered by rigid ashlar masonry parapets. Vans or extended utility setups over 20 feet are unable to clear the radius; trying to force passage guarantees severe body shearing.
- The core trail mileage cuts through deeply incised forest gulches bounded by old-growth canopies, making the dirt persistently muddy and slick after rains. The micro-topography creates a total cell signal blindspot; cache offline maps and carry whistling gear before entering the rift.
Reviews
Positive
- A hidden peaceful canyon oasis nestled within an upscale neighborhood, showcasing dense native woods and pristine winding creek beds.
- A secret sanctuary for mountain bikers and trail runners, offering rolling dirt tracks and rugged singletracks rich in wilderness thrills.
- Amenities are excellent, boasting free public tennis courts, baseball fields, and a shaded forest playground padded with rubber tiles.
- Features plentiful shaded free parking spots with clear trailmaps, providing a completely quiet escape from urban racket.
Heads up
- Because it sits deep in a natural wooded ravine, heavy rain leaves low-lying dirt tracks flooded and deeply muddy for several days.
- The trail network features countless intersecting splits, but rustic signage deep in the woods is sparse and weathered, causing detours.
- Encircled by rugged wild streams, trailside brush gets heavily infested with wood ticks and biting chiggers during peak humid summer months.
- Once the sun sets, the dense ravine drops into absolute pitch blackness without any overhead park lighting, posing a safety risk.