A few friends ( 8 trailers with 16 people and 5 dogs) came to camp for a few days and although the weather wasn't as good as we had hoped for, rain for 1 1/2 days, temps dropped to the mid 40's during the day and 18+ mph winds, it was a great trip. We all, at different times, explored the surroundings, walked trails, and some enjoyed dinner and/or breakfast at nearby restaurants. Us Texans sure did enjoy Arkansas and its fall beauty. read more

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We heard that this place was a "must see" so I had really high expectations; especially when compared to mount Nebo. My first impression was "where do you park?!" Lots of people come here, and the main parking lot is always packed near the visitor center and restaurant. Sure there's lots of parking near the hiking trails, but up front not so much. This place reminds me of Top of the Rock in Branson. There isn't much in the way of activates here. I wish I was told more about this place. It seems Petit Jean is more centered around hiking and mountain biking. Lots of trails for both, and then a restaurant on a bluff that hikers, motorcyclists, and tourists seem to flock to. If you don't really hike, or bicycle, and don't really care about eating at a restaurant that looks over a bluff then save yourself a trip. I mean if I was an avid hiker I might really like this place, but since I'm not there's other places around just as beautiful without the drive. read more

What a great resource for those living and visiting Arkansas! This state park and trail system is available free of charge and offers tons of activities from hiking, swimming, boating, and picnicking to staying on the premises at either a campsite or lodge and eating at a great restaurant with amazing views of the Petit Jean State Park area. With an interesting and intriguing folk history, this park offers something for everyone. We hit the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail nice and early before it was too hot and definitely enjoyed the moderate 4 mile hike. Nice and easy on the way down to the waterfall but will definitely get you breathing hard on the way back up to the Mather Lodge. Overall, must do if you are in the Little Rock area and looking to get away from the city! Highly recommend. ***unfortunately for us it hadn't rained in awhile and the waterfall wasn't flowing too heavy but it was still a great hike! read more

Petit Jean State Park - Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail (Trail end) - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas

It's a tough hike. There are rocks under your feet can make you slide. And going back up you really need to be in shape. Especially in the summer heat. I have yet to see the water flowing like a waterfall. read more

This was my first foray in an Arkansas State Park since I was knee high to a grasshopper. However, this park was a cut above other parks of similar size I have visited. Mather's Lodge was excellent and had a very nice restaurant for weary travelers. They also do a great job breaking down the history of the park. We didn't rough it on this trip and stayed in one of the furnished cabins they have available. Ours was clean, cozy, and very amenable. The park offers several amenities, terrific vistas, and some awesome trails. Our son went to the base of the falls while we elected to visit the overlook instead and save our weary knees and ankles. We cannot wait to visit this park again. I wish we had the foresight to book it for the upcoming eclipse. read more

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Very nice area. Clean campsites. Hiking trails everywhere. Quick drive to a Walmart or restaurant, read more

This is a beautiful state park in Arkansas. We stayed in the lodge, which was fine, although it will be closed at the end of this month for a complete remodel which it does need -the bathtub was old -no stopper & very tight quarters, but overall a cozy feel- it was dark and quiet at night. It was a nice hike to the waterfall and back, although very challenging. The food in the lodge was good and the staff was nice. I recommend the biscuit egg with cheese and bacon in the morning. Their biscuits are outstanding. read more

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Beautiful park, fantastic full hookup campground with asphalt pads and patios, and free WiFi. Wooded, quiet and beautiful. Even saw deer in the campground. read more

Petit Jean State Park - Deer up close! - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas

Our favorite park in Arkansas. It's right outside Conway and it always is so wonderful to visit. The new visitor building is excellent and I love they kept the original fire place. Don't skip lunch at the lodge. read more

We stayed in the lodge which was very quite at night even though it is scheduled for a remodeling at the end of this month. The property and trails are amazing, looking to come back when we can spend more time. read more

This review is strictly about the park and not about the lodging or facilities. Petit Jean is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I take it for granted living just 30 minutes away in Morrilton. Definitely worth a trip from anywhere you live, at least once in your life. read more

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We have hiked every trail (except the BSA) in the park and have loved every step. My old legs might feel like they will fall off, but making memories in this beautiful park with my 17 year old grandson is the best! The trails are beautiful--scenic, natural, clean, and just plain gorgeous. Tonight we ate at the Mather Lodge restaurant and the view didn't disappoint us at all--neither did the food! We are recommending Petit Jean to everyone. Arkansas has a lot of beauty to offer. read more

Theres free parking at the park so you can drop your car at the lot and start your adventure at once. There is a little hotel and a private events place in the main log cabin by the parking lot so you can spend the night here if you want or have an special event happen here. They also have a restaurant at the main log cabin so if you are hungry go in there and have some food before your hike. The view from the cabin is pretty amazing too. What a petty place. the hike is super fun, there are plenty of people crossing your path, they are so nice and polite it is very impressive really. The trail there is not super bad however on the way back it is a little more challenging for sure. Along the way you will see plenty of families and many people also bring their dogs to the trail and I loved that, I loved see the puppies have fun along the way in this hike. The hike for us ended in a beautiful waterfall, sadly nobody is allowed to get into the water but none the less it was a very pretty place to see. This is a nice place to visit if there is time for sure. read more

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Absolutely beautiful time of year to see the leaves change color. Enjoyed the trails and the different degrees of difficulty. Fabulous views without getting out of the car too. This is definitely not what I'm used to in AZ, especially since it is FREE entertainment! A must see. read more

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I was recommended to visit here before I head for home. Getting to the park is a bite of scary with all the turns and slopes so drive carefully and don't speed. The park has a few different trails you can take. While visiting the visitor center, Mr.Lee was so nice and helpful giving us suggestions and direction to watch the waterfall from another angle since the path to the waterfall was closed due to a fallen tree. I recommend heading over to the visitor center before you decide to head out to any trails. The park has many things going on such as camping, swimming, hiking, sightseeing and etc. There's a airport and church near by. Inside the park is a sit-down restaurant, a coffee/ sandwich spot that also serve shaved ice and another sandwich/ mini grocery/ souvenir and ice cream spot. read more

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Hubby & I have been visiting Petit Jean since we got married, over 13 years. We aren't the only ones that love this gorgeous state park. Every time we have visited, we have met others that have the same story, they have been visiting for years. There is a reason this is everyone's fave state park, bc it's simply the best, even the drive up there is mind blowing the right time of year when all the leaves are changing. First of all, the weather is incredible, the trails are fantastic, especially the stairway to heaven down to the waterfall, the grounds are immaculate, the lodge & lodging is super nice. The lodge has just been newly renovated & it's even more stunning than b4. If you want a cabin, better reserve a year in advance! They are very popular. Hubby & I have stayed in the little log cabins, they are fantastic. They are well maintained, super clean with fire places. The bomb. All over the Mountain the scenery & wildlife are dope. We love "motoring" over to visit Petit Jean the last weekend of October/first weekend of November on the Talimena Scenic Drive. That is peak season for the leaves to change. The best time to see all the amazing fall colors. There are several bypasses & scenic drives, our fave is the Talimena. It begins in southeastern Oklahoma on Oklahoma State Highway 1 in Talihina. Most of the route, however, is on Arkansas Highway 88 that goes through the Ouachita Mountains & through Ouachita National Forest & to the town of Mena, Arkansas. It's a Beautiful fall drive that rivals any in Vermont if you time it just right. Most importantly, if you don't know the legend of Petit Jean you should give it a read. It's a very sad love story about a young French girl, who disguised herself as a cabin boy, to follow her fiancée to the new world. The journey ends in tragedy where "Petite Jean" is buried at the top, in a modest grave, overlooking the river & the "Trail of Tears." Another fascinating, sad & tragic historical story about the American Indians who lost their lives & their lands, after the government confiscated them. They say her spirit still roams & haunts the mountain, all I know is it's a incredibly beautiful place. There is a mystical quality that surrounds this area. You can see it in the carvings in the rocks & feel it all around you. It's a very special place indeed. Put this one on your bucket list. read more

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Love Petit Jean! It's where our first date was & where he proposed! It's always cooler the further you go towards the waterfall & always clean & beautiful! Everyone is so kind & it's very peaceful. I highly recommend. I went to the gift shop for the first time to commemorate the proposal & got a new coffee mug! 10/10 would go over and over. read more

Petit Jean State Park - Got engaged!! - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas

This is one of my favorite places to go to just relax and breathe in the nature ! It's a great place to visit for their amazing hiking trails . It's a even better place to rent a cabin and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The cabins are all made out of stone most have great views . There is a honeymoon cabin with a hot tub. There is a lodge if you just want a regular room . They also have a community pool if you would like to swim. The cedar falls hike has a good bit of stairs but is so worth it. You can actually climb behind the waterfall which is amazing . The is a overlook hike which I've never done. Another great hike is the rock house cave which is really cool there are Native American drawings there as well. Not sure where we found the colorful paintings it was in a small opening on one of the other trails. The only bad thing is you cannot swim in the water at the waterfall the way you can in Tennessee waterfalls. read more

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5 stars for mother nature, 2 stars for the cabin. We had initially wanted to stay at Mount Magazine Lodge only to find out it was fully booked on our dates. We were glad to learn that PJSP still had some vacancies & immediately snatched a cabin. I have attached the cabin map for those wanting to find out where they are located. We got cabin 8 which was a stand alone building facing the cliff. The interior was rustic. While other reviewers said they were satisfied with the cabins, we had some issues with cleanliness - as some of the mugs and dishes were still dirty, and plumbing - as our toilet would not flush! The cabin comes with a full size kitchen and a bbq grill at the back. This comes in handy since there is only one restaurant on site at Mather Lodge. The restaurant is the perfect spot to watch sunset. But it is also quite pricey & closes at 7 pm. If you're like us & brought your own grocery, there are other spots around the lodge perfect for watching sunset. Our cabin location was also great for watching sunrise, but the mornings can get pretty foggy. Honestly, we would have loved our cabin if not for the aforementioned issues. We hiked a few easy trails with our kids. The Cedar Falls overlook is an ADA compliant deck. There was no waterfall though, which was a bummer. Rock cave trail on the other side of the valley is also a fun trail & has amazing rock formations, and don't forget the PJ overlook on the east end of the park. We were truly blown away by the beauty of PJSP and would love to come back here again some day. read more

Petit Jean State Park - Mather lodge & cabins map - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas

Sverything about this park is magical! From the well marked trails to the quaint coffee shop 1/2 mile or so down the road with in walking distance of the campground! The Lodge cafe, the two pools, paved bike trails and numerous boardwalks in the woods! Friendly staff and clean bathhouses. This will now be our yearly trip going forward! There are many places to drive up to over look the mountain making this a good handicap assessable place to visit compared to other parks we have visited. Very family friendly! read more

A must see/do. Petit Jean Mountain is one that you can actually climb down (like when hiking to see Cedar Falls) or drive to the gravesite and you can look out for miles from the top. The views are spectacular just about anywhere you're at. Bring lots of water and shoes with good grip on them when hiking because there are a few places that can be wet and slippery (and close to ledges). The restaurant in the lodge is a great place to stop for a meal after your hike, especially because you can overlook the mountain while eating and watching eagles fly around! read more

Petit Jean State Park - Cedar Falls - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas

I stayed at this state park for a school trip and enjoyed every minute of the park! A cool front had just swooped in and the temperatures mixed with the breathtaking nature was a match made in heaven. The cabins were very clean, with comfortable beds and most kitchen utensils needed. We stayed in a cabin with a fireplace and back porch (both nice features). The waterfall pictures are just a 30 minute hike which was a fun as a group activity! Again, amazing weather most definitely makes it even sweeter! I would recommend 10/10 to stay at this state park! read more

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Beautiful spots of wildlife, outlooks, and nature in general. I love this place so much! The pictures were all taken from petit jean state park. read more

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We arrived in late afternoon to a very cute cabin. The staff at the front desk was helpful and friendly. We had dessert at the lodge and the staff was great too. Even tho we were done they invited us to enjoy our food and watch the sunset. But at about 2 am we realized my husband was having a heart attack. I called the front desk, which was staffed! She was helpful and called the ranger who was a medic. Help came quickly, eight people in all! . Soon hubby was loaded into an ambulance and driven down the mountain to a waiting helicopter at Morristown. The ranger was helpful and gave me his number to call since we were on vacation and I had to travel alone. Told me to call him for any thing since I didn't know anyone in town. Hubby is now recovering at home. The park superintendent was there too. You don't get better help than we did! While we hope you don't have our experience, we have confidence this staff will help you in any way possible. We have reservations to go back next year and finish our vacation with our family!! read more

Petit Jean State Park - This was the last photo taken before hubby's heart attack. He had a peaceful moment taking in the beauty of the Petit Jean sunset! - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas

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The lodge itself is beautiful. The restaurant has a stunning view to the west with Mount Magazine & Nebo in the distance. The food is fair with mostly fried offerings. read more

I drove all the way out there only for there to be a sign at the desk and they charge that they authorize $50 a day for incidentals. this was not posted anywhere online. it was not told when I called them to confirm the reservation. When I mentioned this to the front desk workers, nobody cared nobody was willing to apologize. I was just told that was there policy. we unfortunately we're taking a vacation at the end of our budget, something that just came up and were not able to stay there. we ended up staying in town and got two nights for the same price as one there. read more

We camp a lot and this is one of our favorite places to go for long trips (usually 8+ days). We rent the camps here (avoid the tee pees). My family has been coming to Petit Jean for 5 years now. I often meet people who have been coming to the park for 20+ years as a family tradition. I plan to be able to say that too one day. I recommend visiting the park in mid-May and stopping first in Ponca, AK to canoe 8-10 miles of the Buffalo River (there are tons of outfitters to rent you canoes and pick you up at the end out there). Then after a nice day on the river enjoying the wonderful scenery (good fishing too if you're into that), stay somewhere with a good bed and then head over to Petit Jean to camp. We've hiked every trail at Petit Jean, and there are quite a few so I feel like this is worth noting. Each trail has its own character and neat things to see. This park is great for kids too. They publish a weekly calendar of events and the park interpreters regularly put on shows at night for the family. Shows like, "The Owls of Petit Jean" and "Frogs of the Park" etc .. the content is surprisingly good and my kids always love it. In addition, this is the sort of park where you can meet friends and family who do not like to camp and stick them in the Mather Lodge cabins which are more like hotels (I think you have to rent them a year in advance), and they will have a lot of activities to do while you take the kids out on the trails in the afternoons. read more

Petit Jean State Park - Rent a camp - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas

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We live in Fort Worth and Petit Jean State Park is an 8-hour drive for us. This is our 4th time to return to the park. It's SO worth the drive for us. It is now our favorite state park to came at. The "A" loop ROCKS, with sites #13, 22 and 21 being our favorite sites to stay in. The facilities are all first-rate and well maintained. The park's staff is incredibly helpful. The lodge has gone through a complete renovation and is absolutely beautiful. Nature abounds throughout the park, it's a great please to kick back and relax. I can't recommend Petit Jean State Park highly enough. Come visit, you won't be sorry!! read more

BEAUTIFUL WATERFALL! DO NOT FORGET YOUR SWIM GEAR! What goes up must come down?..true, but not in this case. To my surprise, this trail takes you down, then you have to climb back up. Worth it! Honestly, I enjoyed this trail and waterfall more than a waterfall I went to in Hawaii. If you have the courage I highly suggest to climb up behind the waterfall! It is so beautiful looking through the cave from behind. I promise, you will not regret it, it may be tough at first, but go with a couple of friends and you will be fine. What I enjoyed about this hike was that it wasn't too crowded with people. Of course, when you get to the falls there will be many people there, but throughout the trail you won't have to worry about waiting for people to go through. Oh, and I can't forget to mention...you can take a little swim in the water where the falls hit. There is plenty of room! Definitely my best hiking experience so far! read more

We recently traveled 7,000 miles in 9 weeks east of the Mississippi. Petit Jean was, hands down, the nicest campground we visited in 15 states. The campsites are huge. It was like camping on a one acre putting green. There is a lot to do, hiking trails and bike trails abound. There were waterfalls to see, and geocaches. We selected Petit Jean randomly, from the map, and were pleasantly surprised. The staff is super friendly and helpful, helping us pick the best campsite with the best view of the lake. The facilities are immaculate. It's not that far from the interstate, and even if you are just spending one night, it's worth the drive. read more

I've loved Petit Jean since I was a child. Studied it for a geology class in college. My nephews grew up going to church camp at Camp Mitchell every Summer. Gorgeous views- The Seven Hollows hike is about 5 miles if you wander off the trail. The natural bridge & grotto are some of the highlights. My favorites are the Rock House Cave with ancient Native American Art on the walls and the turtle rocks. The Cedar Falls hike is 2 miles & leads to the Cedar waterfall. If you camp at the camp sights (I call this "car camping"), I'd recommend "B or C" sites - more "woodsy" feel. "A site" is on Lake Bailey & usually has a lot of campers & RVs & looked more open. All camp sites have a small grill, picnic table, pole to hang trash, fire pit, water faucet, & electrical outlet. The sites are close to each other but I've never felt I was on top of my neighbors. One night is $22 with a 2 night minimum. Each campsite has 1 bathroom facility which are pretty clean & have 2 showers. I love Mather Lodge & the view of the AR River from Stout's Point where Petit Jean's grave is. Morrilton is 40 min away if you forgot groceries or need beer. I've yet to stay in a cabin. The entire park is clean & well maintained. Finished in 1941 as Arkansas' first state park, you must go to Petit Jean if you love hiking & camping. Great geographical features and all different kinds of foliage. Beautiful. Some of the rocks are 315 million years old (see, I listened in class) Breathtaking views of the AR River Valley. read more

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Absolutely incredible nature and tons of hiking trails to enjoy it! We hiked every trail they have (except the 12 mile trail) and loved every minute of it! Bring good shoes and lots of water because you won't want to stop hiking! read more

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This state park is an absolute gem. There are so many beautiful trails to hike and sights to see - whether it be Native American petroglyphs, waterfalls, or amazing rock formations. The view from Mather Lodge is amazing. I didn't want to leave. (You can also grab a bite to eat there after a day of hiking.) The park and rooms at the lodge were well maintained and clean. We will be back! read more

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We loved the park and stayed at Mather Lodge cabins. The weather wasn't nice at all, but we still had fun. The hike down to Cedar Creek Falls was really great. It was strenuous but not too bad. We also enjoyed the Rock House Cave very much. I think we'd all recommend to anyone visiting. The cabins were very clean with spectacular views. The food in the lodge was excellent and priced inexpensively. All accommodations were perfect. We had a nice time. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Southern hospitality at its finest. read more

Petit Jean State Park - From inside the cave - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas

Absolutely beautiful! The waterfall was amazing. Only had a few days working so didn't get to explore all of it. But taking my boyfriend back for a weekend. Must see! read more

Best park in the state and one of the most visited in the nation. The only reason this amazing, beautiful place isn't one of our national parks is because it wasn't a large enough tract. Whether camping, staying at the lodge, or in a cabin, you will enjoy being at PJSP. I promise. It's magical. It has an impressive waterfall, great hiking trails, a lake, a good sized swimming pool, a park souvenir store at the camp check-in store, and lacks any commercial enterprises at all. In fact, there's only one small, limited, grocery and fudge place just outside the park, but otherwise, it's 18 miles to the nearest Walmart, Kroger, etc. There isn't great phone reception and no cable hookups in the campgrounds. It is truly "getting away from it all." You don't even hear cars at night. it is really dark at night like it should be, and so quiet all you hear are frogs & crickets. Petit Jean Mountain State Park is as enjoyable to visit and stay a while at as many of our best national Parks. If you want to camp or rent a room or cabin from April until December, better make a reservation. Some cabins rent out a year ahead. Of course, some of those cabins sit on the edges of a cliff or have a view of the whole valley...so, no wonder. read more

This mountain is beautiful with so many things to explore. I come every year on my trip to Arkansas and always seem to find a new view, trail or adventure. We also always stop at the store with the fudge! My kids require it of me oN each trip. read more

Great hiking trails and the park is very well maintained. The lodge is lovely. We want to visit again and stay a night.

Probably....No Definitely the best State Park that I have ever been to and I have been to quiet a few. Apparently the locals pronounce it Pet-it Gene, despite it's obvious French name but who am I to argue I don't live here. Their incorrect pronounciation is the ONLY thing wrong with this park. The hiking is spectacular, the scenery is second to none and the rest of the park is top notch as well. The lake was calm and peaceful with swimming, canoeing and kayaking. The visitor center has competent people working, very detailed maps that lay out the entire park. These maps give a brief description of each hike, the distance and the level of experience needed for each hike. We hiked 2 different trails plus walked to the waterfall overview. Perfect hiking! The first trail we hiked was the Cedar Creek Trail. I messed up thinking it was the Cedar Falls Trail. Stupid Cedar. They couldn't have named the creek after a different tree? Anywho. This train is 1.25 miles long and mostly along a creek with small waterfall. Perfect for a leasurely stroll if you have youngins as they can take their shoes off and play in the creek itself. It get's a little tough at times as you have to climb over a few smaller rocks and then ends going back up the hill. The 2nd trail we took was The Seven Hollows trail. It's 4.5 miles and another .5 miles if you want to see the grotto. Of course you want to see the grott so let;s call it 5 miles. This trail is a little more difficult but if you can walk 5 miles then you can do this hike. I would't take Aunt Mildred off her hovaround and try to get her to do it or bring little kids. Although I did see a family with a baby, a toddler and a 5 year old while pushing a jogging stroller. There are so many boulders to climb over that I have no idea how he did it. He may not have, he may have said to hell with it and stayed at the grotto. The grotto is at about the half way point and a perfect spot to relax. There are no Playboy Bunnies at this grotto to my dissapointment but there is a nice little beach, a small waterfall and knee high water to wade in. There is also a lot of rock wall formations, a cave and a natural bridge along this trail. Well worth it. The trail map is very well done and there are markers everywhere along the trail. The park says it takes 4 hours but we did it in 2.5. Yes we are that badass The final stop we made was the Cedar Falls overview. This waterfall is gorgeous and I am still kicking myself for not hiking to the bottom to swim in the falls. GRRRRR. The overview is where you find the old, the handicap and the out of shape. I felt defeated at having to have seen the waterfall from only this view. I will definitely be back but next time I may get a cabin. read more

One of our favorite experiences! Stayed at the lodge and were so happy that it was more rustic and not more on the hotel side. Great location to trailheads, food, etc. perfect views and spots to disconnect. The park threw an Easter egg hunt for the kiddos at the park. So great. We will definitely be back. read more

Petit Jean State Park - Parks Near Me - Morrilton, Arkansas