~ Carmen
It’s a Big Dam Bridge.
So what is this Big Dam Bridge and why would anyone want to cross it? Well, it is big. It is on top of a dam. It is a pedestrian/cycling bridge. Who wouldn’t want to cross the Big Dam Bridge? Located in central Arkansas, it connects Little Rock to North Little Rock. At 4,226 feet/1288 meters long, it is the longest bridge in the world constructed solely for pedestrian and cycling traffic. It has never been used by trains or motor vehicles.
Is that the real name?
Yes, it is.
I have never heard my dad utter a single cuss word in my life. I’ll never forget the day he told me, “You and Joe should really check out the Big Dam Bridge.” I had to get him to repeat himself, and sure enough, that was the name.
When originally planned, the bridge was going to be named the Murry Lock and Dam Bridge, after the lock and dam that the bridge is built atop of. A local judge was worried about getting the bridge fully funded and was quoted exclaiming, “We’re going to build that dam bridge!” He was referring to the Murry Dam, not the expletive. Afterwards, the bridge had a new name.

Stopping to soak in the sun and breathtaking view.
Gorgeous View
When you cross the bridge, you really come to appreciate how big the Arkansas river is. The bridge just keeps going and going. There are benches scattered along the bridge to stop, rest and soak up the scenery.

Looking east.

View on the western side of the bridge. Interstate 630 and Pinnacle Mountain are in the background.

A barge lining up to enter the dam.
Watch the boats and barges going through the lock and dam.
I must admit that this was fascinating to me. I loved watching the huge barges line up perfectly with the lock and slowly maneuver into position. Much of the Arkansas River is very shallow and has a large change in elevation as it makes its way to the Mississippi River. Previously, the Arkansas River was way too shallow for commercial traffic. In 1963, the construction of the Murray Dam began, allowing for a 9 foot minimum channel throughout the river system. The Arkansas River now accounts for over $1 billion in trade revenue a year. Personally, I just liked watching the boats!

The barge entering the lock. Water will fill the chamber and raise the barge up in height so that it can continue northwest up the river.

The bridge connects over 15 miles of trails north and south of the Arkansas River.
Go fast on your bike or take a leisurely walk pushing a stroller. On the Big Dam Bridge, you’ll see both.
The Big Dam Bridge is a testament to how much Arkansas values the great outdoors. The bridge took eight years to complete at a cost of $12.8 million. Arkansas is by no means a wealthy state. It’s on the other end of the spectrum. But the people know that Arkansas’s natural beauty is its biggest asset. The people there value cycling. You’ll find miles and miles and miles of bike lanes and mountain bike trails. The Big Dam Bridge connects over 15 miles of trails in Little Rock and North Little Rock. Some of the more popular events at the bridge include: Big Dam Bridge 100 Mile Cycling Tour, Big Dam Bridge Twilight 5K Race, and the Big Dam Bridge Duathlon.

Path signage directs bikers and run/walkers so that no one gets run over and bikers don’t have to swerve around pedestrians.
Important info to know:
There is ample free parking on either side of the bridge. Port-o-potty’s are also available. Watch for signs directing pedestrian and cycling paths on the bridge.
What do you think of Arkansas’s Big Dam Bridge? Please share by commenting below!
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Jana Blackwood
November 21, 2016 9:46 pmThis is a very nice place to visit and I love it! It’s a beautiful place to visit and to enjoy nature. I enjoyed the post.
Pack Your Baguios
November 22, 2016 10:32 amYou must love the outdoors as much as we do! Thanks for sharing!
Leslie Soto
November 22, 2016 8:20 amI’d never heard of the Big Dam Bridge before but how awesome! It looks like such an amazing place. I would love to visit it someday. I’d be fascinated watching the barges going through the dam. I can imagine how much precision that would take! Your pictures are so incredible. Thank you for sharing this amazing place!
Pack Your Baguios
November 22, 2016 10:33 amIt really is cool to cross the Arkansas River and watch all of the ships and barges going through the dam.
Davide uTravelShare.com
November 27, 2016 3:37 pmIt’s wonderful and what a long bridge you have over there! I have never been there but maybe we have something in common; during my journey in South East Asia I went to Myanmar as well, exactly to Amarapura to visit U-Bein Bridge, or the oldest and longest Footbridge in the world (1200 m). Maybe it was a little different than The Bid Dam Bridge, you can’t see any Arkansas River but I saw Monks and local people walking during the sunset, it was amazing!!
Thanks for sharing your post 😀
Pack Your Baguios
November 27, 2016 5:55 pmWhat a great bridge– Monks at sunset would be a unique experience! Thank you for sharing!
Gracie
November 27, 2016 3:39 pmThe name made me chuckle! But it is indeed a wonderful place! My fiancé and I are planning a drive along the US in the future, so we will definitely put this on the list… plus, he will like the name lol
Doro
November 27, 2016 5:05 pmWhat a funny name for a bridge, made me laugh a little bit 🙂 Looks like an interesting place to explore though. Planning a road trip through the US with my sister, maybe that’s a place to add to our list 🙂
Pack Your Baguios
November 27, 2016 5:56 pmDefinitely travel through Arkansas for its scenic beauty,then hit up Memphis for fun. We have several posts on Memphis on the blog.
Abigail
November 27, 2016 6:24 pmThat seems like a fun experience. I’ve never been there but definitely adding this to my travel bucket list.
Pack Your Baguios
December 1, 2016 8:07 amIt is a great place to put on your bucket list!
Kallsy
November 27, 2016 7:26 pmI’ve been by this bridge many, many times but still have yet to stop and enjoy the view of the river! It looks like I’ve really been missing out. When my husband and I were in college we always joked about the name of this bridge and we even knew of many friends getting engaged here!
Pack Your Baguios
December 1, 2016 8:08 amNext time you need to pull over and cross the river. Then you can always talk about the time you were on the Big Dam Bridge!
Ana
November 29, 2016 6:52 amYou have nice photos of the Dam. It looks relaxing to stroll around the Big Dam Bridge. I love the dramatic landscape where the clouds were mirrored on the azured water. Are there many tourists who go for the Big Dam Bridge?
Pack Your Baguios
December 1, 2016 8:10 amThere are always people on the bridge, mainly cyclist and runners. It gets a lot of local use, but people from all over like to cross it, snap a selfie, and be able to say they’ve been on the Big Dam Bridge!
Lydia@LifeUntraveled
November 30, 2016 8:29 pmI’ve never heard of this bridge before but the name made me laugh (although if it were the expletive it would be spelled as “damn” instead). It’s great that Arkansas decided to invest in this bridge and that the residents can take advantage of it by participating in outdoor activities.
Pack Your Baguios
December 1, 2016 8:51 amArkansas has a pretty high obesity rate, but it is really working to get its people up and moving. Their tourism board is also investing in tourism relating to its natural beauty.
Agnes
December 1, 2016 5:03 amNice place with great views. When I started reading I was just thinking that it would be a great place for running events. I’m glad it does arrange events like that. I would not mind taking part in the 5K run ?
Pack Your Baguios
December 1, 2016 1:00 pmYes, they do a good job using the bridge for all kinds of running and cycling events!
Paula - Gone with the Wine
December 3, 2016 8:27 amVery interesting info about the bridge! I love that name… ha ha, and how Americans are not scared to use names like that. Based on the pictures it does look BIG. No wonder you enjoyed spending a little time there to see what all was going on at the bridge. Good find!
Pack Your Baguios
December 3, 2016 9:41 amThe bridge isn’t that out of the way when we’re visiting relatives so it will be easy for us to go back!
Jo
May 16, 2017 10:45 pm“Big Dam Bridge” LOL.
It looks like a really beautiful spot!
Pack Your Baguios
May 18, 2017 10:34 amIt is! Great for runners, bikers, and just a casual stroll!