Chenal Valley is a master-planned area on the western edge of Little Rock, developed by Deltic Timber since the first lots sold in December 1989. It pairs cul-de-sac neighborhoods with a 36-hole country club and a large shopping and office corridor.
The feel
Chenal is the newest large piece of Little Rock. Deltic Farm and Timber, then part of Murphy Oil, began buying land in western Pulaski County in 1956, and its real estate arm, Chenal Properties, started selling lots here in 1989. The name comes from Shinall Mountain, respelled to sound French. Streets curve through wooded hills, neighborhoods branch off as cul-de-sacs, and commercial life gathers along Chenal Parkway. It feels organized and newer than the rest of the city.
The homes
Nearly everything here was built after 1989. Expect larger custom and semi-custom homes, many on sloped lots with retaining walls, plus a limited number of apartment and condominium communities. By 2019 Chenal Properties had sold more than 3,000 residential lots across several dozen neighborhoods. Lots and new construction still come up in later phases. Neighborhoods carry their own covenants and design rules, so building or remodeling usually needs approval first.
Schools
Chenal sits where two districts meet. Some addresses are in the Little Rock School District and others are in the Pulaski County Special School District, and the line does not follow neighborhood names. The Little Rock School District's new Little Rock West High School is due to open in 2027, with new high school zones adopted in August 2026. Boundaries vary by address and can change, so verify assignments with the district for the exact home.
Getting around
Chenal Parkway is the spine, mostly a divided four-lane road. It runs from Highway 10 (Cantrell Road) on the north, through the valley, and becomes Financial Centre Parkway, which feeds I-630 near Shackleford Road. That gives a straight shot east toward Midtown and downtown. Highway 10 is the other main route into town. Plan on driving for nearly everything; this part of the city was built around the car.
Life here
Chenal Country Club has two 18-hole courses; the first was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Bear Den was dedicated in 2003. The Promenade at Chenal is an open-air shopping center with stores, restaurants and a theater. In January 1989 Deltic donated 98 acres for Wildwood Park for the Arts, which hosts gardens and performances. Pinnacle Mountain State Park, with hiking and mountain biking, is a short drive northwest.
Owning here
Pulaski County property tax follows Arkansas law: real property is assessed at 20 percent of market value, and the local millage rate applies to that figure. Owner-occupants who file a homestead claim can get a state credit, up to $600 on 2026 bills. Amendment 79 freezes the assessed value of a homestead owned by someone 65 or older or disabled. Chenal neighborhoods belong to a property owners association, and many also have recorded covenants and design guidelines, so ask for the bill of assurance and current dues. Lakes and drainage areas run through the valley; check each lot on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. Club membership is separate from buying a home.
