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The Ultimate Guide to Petit Jean State Park
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Updated: April 12, 2024
With 52 incredible state parks to choose from in Arkansas, Petit Jean State Park is hands-down my absolute favorite! With over 2,600 acres of natural beauty, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy.
We’ve got the inside scoop on all the breathtaking scenic spots, epic camping, and incredible hiking trails.
Get ready to rock your next trip to Petit Jean State Park with the Ultimate Guide! This guide is your go-to for an unforgettable adventure!
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Table of Contents
The History of Petit Jean State Park
But first, a little Petit Jean State Park history…
1907- Idea for Petit Jean Mountain recreational area
1921- The bill introduced to make Petit Jean a National Park was declined because it was too small to justify the cost of development and administration. The suggestion was made to take it to the Arkansas Legislature to start a state park.
1923- Petit Jean becomes Arkansas’s First State Park, with 80 acres (now 3,471 acres).
1933-1938– The CCC was assigned to the park to construct roads, buildings, bridges, lakes, and trails (which are still in use today).
Overlooks at Petit Jean State Park
Palisades Overlook
As you cruise into the park from the west, kick off your adventure with a bang and cruise by Palisades Overlook, a pit stop that won’t fail to mesmerize.
There is plenty of parking available and a couple of fenced viewpoints within a short walking distance. The scenery makes this stop well worth the time.
Stout’s Point
The drive to Stout’s Point feels as though you have left the park and are heading in the wrong direction. But keep going, because you won’t want to miss this overlook!
Heading east through the park (9 miles past the visitor’s center), you will come to a sign that points out the left turn to Stout’s Point. A short distance down that road you will come to a large paved parking lot that is surrounded by viewpoints on 3 sides. You can catch some sunset here, but it is situated to get a perfect view of the sunrise.
Cedar Falls Overlook
Arkansas’s most photographed waterfall is definitely worth a visit whether it be a hike to the bottom of the falls or an easy stroll on the wheelchair-accessible decks to Cedar Falls Overlook.
This waterfall IS very rainfall dependent. Depending on recent weather, you may see a gushing waterfall (pictured above), or barely a trickle pouring over. I always get a glimpse of Cedar Falls from the overlook to see if the hike down to the bottom is worth it.
Mary Ann Richter Memorial Overlook
We found the M.A. Richter Memorial Overlook on our 3rd trip to Petit Jean State Park. It is not difficult to find if you know what you are looking for and use the map provided by the visitor’s center. There is a small, inconspicuous road we have passed by many times, that leads to this overlook.
Turning on that road and crossing a small bridge, will lead you to a small dirt road on your left. That dirt road is a one-way road that circles around to this overlook and the CCC Overlook. Both stops are an absolute must and are clearly marked on the visitor’s center map.
CCC Overlook
Just down the dirt road from the M.A. Richter Memorial Overlook is the CCC Overlook. This overlook quickly became my favorite, in part because it is much more secluded than the Palisades Overlook. The view is really breathtaking!
Camping at Petit Jean State Park
For camping at Petit Jean State Park, you can choose yurts, 33 cabins, or 125 campsites with available electric, water, and sewer hookups, a dump station, and multiple bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers.
There is an overflow camping area that you cannot book online. If all spots are booked online, give the visitor’s center a call and they may be able to help you out.
The park rangers booked us an overflow camping spot by phone (no picnic tables or firepit, but has 30amp hookups). Once we arrived to check in they upgraded us to a regular camping spot because of a cancellation.
The campsites have always been peaceful and well monitored by park rangers on our stays.
Hiking Backpack
My backpack: Lowe Alpine AirZone Active Backpack for Day Hiking
Hiking at Petit Jean State Park
Bear Cave Trail
You can find this fun area on the west side of the park. Bear Cave Trail leads a quarter of a mile through huge sandstone boulders you can climb in, on, under, and around.
You have the option of walking the trails for a light stroll through the rocks, or climbing on and through rocks for a more challenging adventure.
Cedar Falls Trail
The Cedar Falls Trailhead sits directly behind Mathur Lodge. The first 1/3 mile is a steep and rocky descent to the bottom of the mountain. Beyond that is a fairly level 2/3 mile hike to the 95ft spectacle known as Cedar Falls.
This is a beautiful sight even when water levels are low. And a magnificent sight when water levels are high. Be sure to save energy for that last 1/3 mile hike back UPHILL.
The Best Hiking Boots for Women: Real-World Reviews
Hiking Boots
My hiking boots: Columbia Women’s Facet 75 Mid Outdry Hiking Shoe
Seven Hollows Trail
Also on the park’s west side, close to Bear Cave Trail, is Seven Hollows Trail. This trail is marked as 4.5 miles but has an additional 1/2 mile offshoot trail to see the Grotto. This is a moderate trail with intermittent small inclines and rocks, that also leads you through Natural Bridge.
AllTrails marks this as a 2-hour hike, but plan at least 3 hours to fully explore the trail and sights.
Rock House Cave Trail
A short little hike down some trails, over glades (rocky openings in forest areas), and turtle rocks will lead you to an enormous rock shelter called Rock House Cave.
For extra adventure, take a night hike/tour with a park ranger to teach you the history and show you some ancient pictographs (over 500 years old) inside the rock shelter.
Petit Jean State Park takes the crown as my favorite Arkansas State Park (and we’ve explored a whopping 38 so far!). The variety of activities here is simply unbeatable!
Take a look at other Arkansas State Park Adventures!
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The Bear Cave trail photo has me holding my breath! Wonder if I am brave enough to try this?! Would love to.
It is a little unnerving… But the payoff is worth it!
I love hiking and this looks like so much fun with the Rock House Cave but idk I maybe scared. I chickened out in the bag cave at my last cruise
These state parks are gorgeous! I’m definitely adding them to my bucket list.
That overlook is gorgeous! Oh, how I miss Arkansas.