Tucked beside the Arkansas River and above the bike lanes of the North Little Rock section of the Arkansas River Trail, a new vertical adventure is drawing climbers to one of Central Arkansas’s most unexpected destinations: Big Rock Quarry. After years of collaboration, thousands of volunteer hours, and unwavering advocacy, the sandstone walls of the long-quiet quarry have transformed into a fully developed climbing area—Crystal Bluffs—offering a rare urban climbing experience right in the heart of the city.
This milestone marks the official opening of Phase One of the Big Rock Quarry Climbing Area, a project led by North Little Rock Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Arkansas Climbers Coalition (ARCC) and a dedicated community of local climbers. The area now hosts approximately 50 established sport routes across two primary sections, “Main Street” and “Vestal,” with potential for more than 140 climbs as the project continues.
“It took a lot of education, a lot of meetings, and a lot of trust-building to get here,” said Sharon Bennett, project liaison and ambassador for ARCC. “These relationships take time to build. This journey has been two years in the making. We couldn’t be more pleased that the leadership of North Little Rock Parks and Recreation and the City of North Little Rock recognized the value of adding climbing to beautiful and historic Big Rock Quarry.”
A New Type of Access
The development of Crystal Bluffs brings outdoor climbing to an audience that previously had to travel hours to reach traditional Arkansas crags. The site’s proximity to downtown, combined with its visibility from the River Trail, creates a rare opportunity for onlookers to witness climbing in action—and for new climbers to find an accessible entry point into the sport.
“You can see your car while you’re belaying,” said route developer Stark Ligon. “It’s taller than most of what’s nearby and right in town.”
The sandstone cliffs at Big Rock Quarry rise between 30 and 90 feet, offering some of the tallest climbs in Central Arkansas. The rock is durable and quartz-rich, a rare find in an urban environment and a challenge for drill bits—though not for the climbing community, which has rallied around the effort.
“This project is about putting a pin on the map for Central Arkansas,” said Reed James, a route developer and Little Rock native. “It’s about creating something multigenerational.”
Built by the Community
Much of the work was driven by volunteers, with more than 1,000 hours logged to develop trails, clean routes, and install safe climbing hardware.
“We structured the development in phases to ensure sustainability,” said JD Borgeson, ARCC board member and development project manager. “We finish one crag, open it, then move to the next.”
Thanks to this phased approach, trails that once were leaf-covered scree slopes are now stable and walkable, and a new trailhead sign includes QR codes that link visitors to route maps and ARCC memberships.
Video below created by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
A Ribbon Cutting and a Rope Cutting
To mark the official opening of the Big Rock Quarry Climbing Area, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the quarry site in North Little Rock. Community members, climbers, and outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to attend and celebrate the launch of this one-of-a-kind urban climbing destination.
The event will also feature a ceremonial “rope cutting,” recognizing both the uniqueness of the sport and the collective effort that brought Crystal Bluffs to life.
Looking Ahead
Phase Two of the project is already in planning, with more climbing areas to be developed under a memorandum of understanding between ARCC and the City of North Little Rock. Support is still needed in the form of donations for bolts, hangers, and safety gear, and the call for volunteers remains open.
“This crag was built for the community,” said ARCC. “And the work isn’t done.”
To learn more about how to get involved, donate, or become a member, visit the Arkansas Climbers Coalition. Crystal Bluffs isn’t just a place to climb—it’s a testament to what happens when city leadership and passionate citizens work together to reimagine outdoor recreation.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
