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William Kirsch Preserve within Ranch North Woods
4.7 ★★★★★ 80 Google reviews · Running trail in Little Rock, Arkansas · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from William Kirsch Preserve within Ranch North Woods' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Wooded natural reserve where visitors can ride bikes, kayak or hike along flat trails.
What runners say about William Kirsch Preserve within Ranch North Woods
“Beautiful spot with well-maintained trails through the prairie grasses and, by the water, a pair of communal two-person kayaks available for use, very used but functional!”
“Beautiful spot with well-maintained trails through the prairie grasses and, by the water, a pair of communal two-person kayaks available for use, very used but functional!”
“The trail was flat and would have been easy to navigate but we went after a rain so it was pretty muddy.”
“PROS: *Free *Great for trail walking *Great view for Kayaking *Quiet *Safe (close to a residential community) CONS: *No public restroom or amenities”
I have really enjoyed the updates to this area since it was first purchased by the Nature Conservancy. The understory of the wooded areas is quite incredible and clean due to controlled burns. The trails cut in the large field provides views of Pinnacle Mountain and of the flowers and birds that inhabit the area.
Loved this nature trail. The trail was flat and would have been easy to navigate but we went after a rain so it was pretty muddy. But it was so beautiful! You can canoe for free. Free life jackets on site. And I saw my first bald eagle!
What a great place to get out on some Black water! Park and the dock is a 100 yards from the parking lot! Great Little dock. Paddle out a little ways and you’re right in the middle of the little Maumelle river. Make a left and you can paddle down and see pinnacle mountain. What a breathtaking view!
Nice natural preserve area. I went there before noon on Sunday. I only saw one other car parked there. Not busy at all. Part of the trail was clearly marked but not the one in the field. Also, part of the trail was very muddy. Be part of getting your feet dirty if you go there after a rainy day.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful spot with well-maintained trails through the prairie grasses and, by the water, a pair of communal two-person kayaks available for use, very used but functional!”
“Big thing to be aware of if visiting is to wear shoes for mud because a lot of this preserve stays soggy and muddy for quite awhile after any precipitation.”
“PROS: *Free *Great for trail walking *Great view for Kayaking *Quiet *Safe (close to a residential community) CONS: *No public restroom or amenities”
“The understory of the wooded areas is quite incredible and clean due to controlled burns.”
“But it is a lot larger than expected so I think I will come back out ready for a jog because it is a more flat area with nice scenery and a well kept path.”
“PROS: *Free *Great for trail walking *Great view for Kayaking *Quiet *Safe (close to a residential community) CONS: *No public restroom or amenities”
“Also note that there are no restrooms or water fountains so go prepared!”
“Gravel road and mowed, mulched and natural surface trails for walking.”
“There is a small boardwalk, a bow-and-arrow target, picnic table and a few other small things that add a nice touch to visiting this place.”
Plan your run at William Kirsch Preserve within Ranch North Woods
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitenature.org
- Phone(501) 663-6699
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–8 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–8 PM |
Running trails near Little Rock
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
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Expansive park provides hiking trails with mountain vistas, canoeing, a visitor center & arboretum.
Arkansas Arboretum
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Area featuring hiking trails and a peaceful, riverside atmosphere.
Pinnacle View Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 6 reviews
Conner Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 246 reviews
Park offering a fishing pond and trails, plus benches and picnic tables.
