Make It An Outdoorsy Eclipse Weekend in Little Rock

Arkansas isn’t called the Natural State for nothing, and Little Rock has an impressive offering of venues and activities to satisfy outdoorsy travelers.

Little Rock has a wide variety of outdoor locations – parks, bridges, and even a mountain – to enjoy.

First, let’s talk about Little Rock’s range of parks. Riverfront Park is a great place to start. It’s perfectly positioned between the Arkansas River and downtown’s River Market District. Take a short walk to either Broadway, Clinton Presidential Park, or Junction bridges to get a nice view of the river.

You could also make a short drive to Pinnacle Mountain State Park or Plum Bayou Mounds Archaeological State Park. In 2023, Pinnacle Mountain State Park unveiled a new visitors center, which features indoor and outdoor exhibits, a trail entrance and Loblolly ice cream as a concession.

Central Arkansas biking and hiking is exceptional – particularly in the spring. We suggest bringing your mountain bike to the Rattlesnake Ridge Natural Area. Rattlesnake Ridge is a loop trail rated intermediate to expert. The trail is also popular with hikers.

If you’re more the water type, hit the Arkansas River and take a kayak or pontoon ride during sunset. Rock Town River Outfitters offers sunset kayak tours so you can experience downtown Little Rock from the water.

Click here for information on bicycle or kayak rentals in Little Rock.

Continue your outdoors weekend with musical performances at the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park, along the banks of the Arkansas River. The free concert series will include performances on all three days of eclipse weekend. Jazz and funk group Rodney Block Collective & All-Star Friends will perform from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, April 6. Gates will open at 5 p.m.

Country musician Ward Davis will perform from 8-9:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. Gates will open at 6 p.m. The Cons of Formant will perform as the opening act from 7-7:45 p.m.

On April 8, The Machine Performs Pink Floyd will take the stage from approximately 12:40-1:40 p.m., pausing for a 20-minute intermission ahead of full totality between 1:51-1:54 p.m. The band will then resume their performance from 2-3 p.m., with partial totality concluding at 3:11 p.m. Gates will open for the show at 11 a.m.

The South Main (SoMa) neighborhood is also planning an elaborate eclipse-day celebration with SoMa in the Dark: Path of Totality Eclipse Watch Party. The event includes a viewing area from 12th to 17th streets complete with seats, telescopes, refreshments, viewing glasses and other amenities down the center of Main Street.

Another fun activity planned for eclipse weekend is the 6th Annual Barkus on Main, a Mardi Gras-themed dog parade taking place at noon Sunday, April 7, in the SoMa neighborhood. This is a fun, family-friendly event, and there’s still time to register your dog to participate in the parade.

Also as part of the SoMa celebration, an eclipse watch party is being held at 11 a.m., Sunday, April 8, at the Bernice Garden.

An additional option is Eclipse Day at the Little Rock Zoo. Tickets can be purchased online (and must be purchased in advance) and include zoo admission and glasses that will allow you to view the eclipse safely. The zoo is offering a “Pull Up Tailgate Party” in the gated private lot on their grounds as well.

Click here to view up-to-date information on the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse in Little Rock.