National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Toltec Mounds State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
Arkansass tallest remaining, prehistoric Native American mounds are preserved at this National Historic Landmark site - Little Rock. The mounds and an earthen embankment are the remains of a large ceremonial and governmental complex that was inhabited here from A.D. 600 to 1050. Managed by Arkansas State Parks in conjunction with the Arkansas Archeological Survey, the Toltec site serves as both a state park and an archeological research station. The park visitor center features exhibits - audiovisual theater, sales area and an educational pavilion that overlooks the mounds. The Toltec Research Station of the Arkansas Archeological Survey - unit of the University of Arkansas system and
its laboratory are also housed in the visitor center. Self-guided tours are offered along both the 3/4-mile, barrier-free trail and 1.6-mile turf trail. Park interpreters lead guided tours and programs throughout the week by group reservation and at scheduled times on Saturdays.
From Little Rock, take Exit #7 off I-440 and go 10 miles southeast on U.S. 165, then travel 1/4-mile south on Ark. 386.
Trails
KNAPPTRAIL Length 8/10 mile Time 3/4 hour Difficulty Easy
Description This fully-accessible self-guided trail and boardwalk leads visitors through this pre-historic Indian site. See three of the 18 mounds that once stood within the sites earthen embankment. A self-guided tour brochure describes this archeological site inhabited by Native Americans over a thousand years ago.
Location From Little Rock, take Exit #7 off I-440 and go nine miles southeast on U.S. 165
PLUM BAYOU TRAIL Length 1.5 miles Time 1.25 hours Difficulty Easy
Description This level turf trail follows the contour of the now destroyed earthen embankment wall and ditch around the northern half of the site. It joins the Knapp Trail for the boardwalk overlooking Mound Lake - oxbow of the Arkansas River. It diverges from the Knapp Trail for a closer look and the surviving section of the embankment wall and one of the barrow pits where Native Americans dug the soil to build these mounds 1,000 years ago.
Location From Little Rock, take Exit #7 off I-440 and go nine miles southeast on U.S. 165