Alerts & Conditions

Alerts

Caution

• Visitor Center closure - Saturday, April 5, 2025

  Alert, Severity, caution, Visitor Center closure - Saturday, April 5, 2025Due to inclement weather on Saturday, April 5, the site will close at 11:30 a.m. CST. Please travel safely, and thank you for your understanding.

Information

• Phone Issues/Alternate Contact - 3/12/2025

  Alert, Severity, information, Phone Issues/Alternate Contact - 3/12/2025Our landline is currently down, and all calls to the site 's main phone number result in a fast/busy dial tone. While we address this issue, please contact Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site at 501-516-7230.

Photo of the Elizabeth Eckford bus bench, Central High School façade and the Commemorative Garden.

NPS Photo

 

Site Logistics

Visitors can expect:

• The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Saturday (10:00 a.m. CST/CDT to 4:00 p.m. CST/CDT).
• Free admission.
• The visitor center is closed to the public on Sunday and Monday.
• Visitor access to park exhibits, restrooms and the bookstore will be available only from Tuesday through Saturday.
• Guests may visit the grounds of the National Historic Site daily; we recommend using the free NPS App for digital content on the days when the visitor center is closed.
• Ranger-led tours and other public programming will be available only from Tuesday through Saturday until further notice.

 

Come prepared for the weather

Temperatures year-round can range from >100°F (38°C) to <20°F (-7°C). Summer days can be hot and humid, while the wind chill can make late fall and winter temperatures feel much colder. Your visit can be more enjoyable by checking the forecast and coming prepared to Little Rock Central High School NHS.

• In the summer, be prepared for extreme heat and high humidity while outside at the Commemorative Garden, Magnolia Mobil Gas Station, Elizabeth Eckford Bus Bench, on the grounds of Little Rock Central High School or outside the Visitor Center.
  • Use sunscreen, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and use a hat/carry an umbrella for shade protection or rain coverage.
  • Drink plenty of water even if you are not thirsty. Water fountains are available inside the visitor center.
  • Lightning can accompany storms, so if you hear thunder, take shelter.

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°