NPS Photo Little Rock Central High School NHS 2120 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive Little Rock, AR 72202-5212 From I-630, take Exit 2B (Dr. Martin Luther King Drive). Go south (away from the Arkansas State Capitol) to W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive. Turn right (head west) and continue 0.5 miles. The Visitor Center is on the right at the corner of W. Daisy Bates Drive and Little Rock Nine Way. Parking lot entrance is located just before the intersection with Park Street, directly across from the historic Magnolia/Mobil Gas Station and diagonally across from Central High School (still a functioning high school). Arkansas weather can change quickly. While the state is in a moderate temperate zone, it does experience strong thunderstorms, tornadoes and flash floods. In winter, "snow" events tend to quickly turn to thin ice which can be difficult to see and to clear. Summer temperatures and humidity can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Visitors are advised to dress in layers and be prepared for precipitation. Average seasonal temperatures (°F): Spring: 62° Summer: 80° Fall: 63° Winter: 43° Entrance Fee-free This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor CenterThe visitor center features a detailed exhibit with interviews, news footage, and audio/video recordings of those directly involved as well as accessible restrooms and a Jefferson National Parks Association (JNPA) bookstore. Public WiFi is not available.
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What should I see at the NHS?Start at our Visitor Center located at 2120 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive. Park rangers can provide you with suggestions depending on your interests and the length of your stay. For more information about sites, see Places to Go. Does the NHS have an admission charge?Admission to Little Rock Central High School NHS is free. Does the NHS give ranger-led programs?Yes; we offer ranger-led programs with an advanced reservation. There is no access inside Little Rock Central High School. Ranger-led programs are offered on 1:00 PM CST/CDT; no programs with access inside Little Rock Central High School are available. Ranger-led programs must be scheduled at least 48 hours (2 days) in advance and fill up quickly. Currently, ranger-led programs may only allow for a maximum of 50 total participants and are a guided, walking interpretive activity that will share the story of the Little Rock Nine, desegregation, education and the civil rights movement. Where can I park my car, school bus or RV?Free parking and accessible spaces are available at the NHS visitor center. Bus/RV spaces measure 14 feet wide x 40 feet long. Are the NHS buildings accessible?The visitor center, the front area of the Magnolia Mobil Gas Station, the Commemorative Garden, the front grounds of Little Rock Central High School (main entrance is not accessible) and the Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench are accessible. At the visitor center, guests may borrow a wheelchair or other mobility device(s) for use in the park. Assistive listening devices with amplification and audio description are available for NHS exhibits. Check the accessibility section for more information on NHS services. What do you recommend for families visiting with children?The NHS offers a free Junior Ranger program at the visitor center. What food services are available at the NHS?No food services are available, but the NHS is located within driving distance of several dining options. Visitors may also choose to bring a bagged lunch and eat on one of the benches in the NHS. Is filming, still photography and/or permitted in the NHS?The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or primitive cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography. On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234). Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming and photography in park areas.
Please contact Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site for more information about filming and photography in the park. Requests for filming or still photography involving more than eight individuals require a permit and should be processed appropriately and all cost recovery and location fees collected as authorized. Is the NHS pet friendly?Pets are permitted on NHS grounds provided they are leashed; please remember to always pick up after your pet. Individuals in possession of a pet must have on their person a bag or device for the containerization and removal of pet excrement. Outside trash receptacles are provided throughout the NHS. Pets are not permitted in any NHS buildings; service animals are welcome in all NHS buildings that are open to the public. Is the NHS stroller friendly?Strollers are permitted in NHS buildings. |
Last updated: April 22, 2025