AR State Parks: PETIT JEAN STATE PARK

This hike IS PET-FRIENDLY.

Our goal in this series is to visit all 52 state parks. This month’s park is:

PETIT JEAN STATE PARK
1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road
Morrilton, AR 72110

We will meet at the Bass Pro Pyramid north parking lot off Front Street (the smaller parking lot close to auto bridge over to Mud Island) at 8:45 am for those who would like to carpool. We will leave at 9:00 am. Text if you can’t find us: 901-485-8270.

About this park:
Petit Jean State Park is an Arkansas classic, a natural and historic treasure that has welcomed travelers for decades. The natural beauty and ancient geology of the legendary Petit Jean Mountain inspired the creation of Arkansas’ first state park and with it our state park system. The park, which is located in Morrilton, AR, mirrors the mountain’s rugged beauty with its rustic-style, native log and stone facilities constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) beginning in 1933. The CCC built trails, roads, bridges, cabins, and the focal point of the park, historic Mather Lodge.

Arkansas State Parks list:
https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks

Planned Hike:
There are over 20 miles of hiking trails to take on at the park. Hiking trails lead through forests and meadows, canyons, and along streams and the mountainside. See where nature formed sheer bluffs, the spectacular 91-foot Cedar Falls, Seven Hollows, and such distinctive features as Bear Cave, the Grotto, Natural Bridge, and other formations like carpet rocks and turtle rocks.

We will be doing the short boardwalk trail to the falls overlook when we arrive at the park, but please also choose a 2nd trail when you RSVP.

BEAR CAVE TRAIL
CEDAR FALLS TRAIL (National Recreation Trail)
ROCK HOUSE CAVE TRAIL
SEVEN HOLLOWS TRAIL

Food: Mather Lodge Restaurant
For those who would like to join us for a meal, we are planning on eating at the historic Mather Lodge restaurant.