Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area — Local services in Maumelle

Great hiking area with pretty views and well-marked and carefully maintained trails. There are some rocky areas, but it is really never strenuous. There are several creeks meandering down the ridge, which are so neat and tranquil to listen to. Good views of Pinnacle, as well as Shinall Mountain and other rolling hills. It is very peaceful and relaxing. I'm so thankful to the property owners for allowing the public to visit and enjoy... 🤗 There seems to have been a controlled burn recently, so there is a bit of ash and some smoky areas, but it's not bad at all. Although it's sad to see the dead trees, it does provide better viewing. The gravel parking lot can accommodate at least 15 cars, depending on the parking skills of other people (lol). There are no bathrooms. There are a few service roads (somewhat close to each individual trail), that you can branch off on in order to reach the parking...

Nice nature trails with beautiful views but really needs to be properly marked ASAP for safety. Service roads are not on the map and the map does not name the trails or tell you how many miles long so it’s easy to get confused. There are signs but not enough to not get confused by all the off trails. Would give 5 stars if it were not for that.

Trails at Pinnacle Mountain and Petit Jean, for example, are marked well throughout the entire trails and maps give distance. The views in my opinion, however, are better at Rattlesnake Ridge than Pinnacle Mountain (and a lot less strenuous) and a very close second to Cedar Falls...

Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area includes a number of trails that are part of a more extensive network of options, including a direct connection with the Blue Mountain trail system. There is an abundance of trails with varying degrees of difficulty for both MTBs and hikers. Great views, lush scenery, and great canopy for summer and year-round protection. Don't miss the view from the top, but don't expect to get there via MTB if you're a novice. The trailhead is accessed via Barret Road but is easy to miss...so keep your eyes open, especially...