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Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton, AR

Photo: Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorOutdoor AdventureFreeHistory Buff

Petit Jean State Park

1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd · Morrilton, AR

Why you should go…

Arkansas' first state park sits on top of Petit Jean Mountain, with more than 20 miles of hiking trails through forest and canyon. The main draw is Cedar Falls, where Cedar Creek drops into the canyon, and other trails lead to Bear Cave, the Grotto, Natural Bridge and Seven Hollows. Mather Lodge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps from local sandstone and hand-hewn timber, overlooks Cedar Creek Canyon. You can also fish or paddle on 100-acre Lake Bailey and try the park's via ferrata.

  • #state park
  • #waterfall
  • #hiking
  • #historic lodge
  • #via ferrata

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Petit Jean State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Russellville

    Free

    Tourism office for Russellville, Arkansas, gateway to Petit Jean, Mount Nebo, Mount Magazine and Lake Dardanelle.

    16 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Ron Coleman Mining

    $25–$50

    Dig for your own quartz crystals to keep at a fifth-generation family mine with a mineral gallery and a zipline over the pit.

    30 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Pinnacle Mountain State Park

    Free

    Climb the West or East Summit Trail up Pinnacle Mountain, paddle the Maumelle rivers or walk the Arkansas Arboretum.

    32 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Mount Magazine State Park

    Free

    Hike to the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet, with overlooks, rock climbing, hang gliding and a lodge on the rim.

    39 mi awayMore like this

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Fox Pass Pottery

    Free

    A working pottery studio and gallery near Hot Springs National Park selling handmade functional and sculptural ceramics.

    39 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Dryden Pottery

    Free

    A working pottery studio in Hot Springs where visitors watch demonstrations and shop handmade ceramics.

    42 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping