The Arkansas State Capitol sits at 500 Woodlane Street in Little Rock and is open to the public year-round at no charge. Weekday hours run 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and weekend and state holiday hours run 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.1Arkansas Secretary of State. State Capitol Tour Information The building extends to evening hours during parts of the holiday season, so it’s worth checking ahead in November and December.
Tours, Security, and Parking
Guided tours are free, last about 45 minutes, and run on weekdays only. To book one, email capitoltours@sos.arkansas.gov ahead of your visit. If you drop in without a reservation or come on a weekend, pick up a self-guided tour booklet at the first-floor tour desk.1Arkansas Secretary of State. State Capitol Tour Information A gift shop near the basement level sells state-themed books and memorabilia, and a public cafeteria on the lower level is open during the business week.
Every visitor passes through security screening at the main entrances. Public parking surrounds the complex and is mostly free, but Capitol Police enforce the parking rules, and violations are misdemeanors carrying fines of $5 to $25 under Arkansas law.2Justia Law. Arkansas Code Title 22 Chapter 3 Subchapter 4 – 22-3-403 Penalty
What You’ll See Inside
Architect George Richard Mann designed the neoclassical building, which was constructed between 1899 and 1915. The exterior is clad in limestone quarried near Batesville, Arkansas, and the dome’s cupola is covered in gold leaf, visible from across the surrounding area.3Arkansas Secretary of State. State Capitol History
The bronze front doors were purchased from Tiffany & Co. of New York in 1910 for $10,000 and remain one of the building’s most recognizable features. Inside, the rotunda opens beneath the dome. Floor and wall marble was imported from Vermont, the grand staircases were carved from Alabama stone, and the fluted columns were quarried in Colorado.4Arkansas Secretary of State. Arkansas State Capitol Self Guided Tour A replica Liberty Bell also stands in the rotunda.
Monuments on the Grounds
At least eighteen monuments and memorials sit on the capitol grounds, and the Secretary of State publishes a self-guided grounds tour booklet that maps each one.5Arkansas Secretary of State. Arkansas State Capitol Self Guided Grounds Tour
The most prominent is “Testament: The Little Rock Nine Salute,” directly north of the building. Created by John and Kathy Deering and dedicated on August 30, 2005, the bronze statues depict the nine students who integrated Central High School in 1957. The figures face the Governor’s office windows, a deliberate positioning that symbolizes a direct confrontation with state authority.6National Park Service. Testament Statues
Other installations include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial, the Arkansas Firefighters Memorial, a Monument to Confederate Soldiers, a Medal of Honor Memorial, and the Gold Star Memorial. New monuments must be approved by the Arkansas Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission.5Arkansas Secretary of State. Arkansas State Capitol Self Guided Grounds Tour
State Government at Work
This is a working government building. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor operate from executive offices here, and the Secretary of State’s Buildings and Grounds Division runs daily operations from Room 256.7Arkansas Secretary of State. About the Secretary of State The Arkansas General Assembly meets in the building, with the House of Representatives and the Senate occupying separate chambers. Article 5 of the Arkansas Constitution vests the state’s legislative power in the General Assembly.8Justia Law. Arkansas Constitution Article 5 Section 1 – Initiative and Referendum
The 2026 fiscal session convenes at noon on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, and can last up to 30 calendar days, ending May 7, 2026. A three-fourths vote can extend it by 15 additional days, pushing the final day to May 22. Pre-filing of bills begins March 9, 2026, and pre-session budget hearings run March 4 through 6. The deadline for filing appropriation and non-appropriation bills falls on the fifteenth day of the session, April 22, 2026.9Arkansas General Assembly. 2026 Fiscal Session Important Dates Committee hearings are generally open to the public, and the building is noticeably busier during session weeks.
Hosting an Event on the Grounds
To hold a press conference, ceremony, or gathering at the capitol, submit an application to the Secretary of State’s Capitol Facilities Division at least 30 days in advance. Approvals go first-come, first-served, and the Secretary of State’s office can cancel based on staffing.10Arkansas Secretary of State. Application For Use Of Arkansas State Capitol Facilities
The 30-day requirement can be waived for photo shoots and for events requested by elected officials, building tenants, or designated agency heads, as long as the slot isn’t already reserved. Organizers handle their own setup, cleanup, and trash removal, and no tables or chairs are provided for outdoor events. Applications can be sent by mail, fax, or email to capitolevents@sos.arkansas.gov.10Arkansas Secretary of State. Application For Use Of Arkansas State Capitol Facilities
One separate step catches many organizers off guard: a public assembly of more than 20 people on or near the capitol grounds also requires a Public Assembly Permit through the City of Little Rock’s Traffic Engineering Division. If the assembly is inside the capitol complex, the application asks whether the Capitol Police have been notified, and the permit holder must keep a designated contact person on site throughout the event.11City of Little Rock, Arkansas. Public Assembly Permit and Application