WEEKEND GETAWAY |
If you need a change of scenery and don’t have time to travel far, plan a weekend road trip instead. Springfield-area Ozarkers live in the best basecamp location for one-tank getaways less than half a day’s drive from home. Need a new idea? We’re here to help with another great Daily Citizen Road Trip Guide.
How far is Petit Jean State Park from Springfield? (Click to expand story)
Location: Petit Jean Mountain, about 40 minutes southeast of Russelville in Arkansas
Address: 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, Ark., 72110
Distance from SGF: Roughly 185-195 miles depending how you go
Drive time: Around 3.5 hours
Website: arkansasstateparks.com/parks/petit-jean-state-park
Contact: 501-727-5441, petitjean@arkansas.com
Petit Jean State Park, an outdoor-lovers smorgasbord
The beauty of the Ozarks shines especially bright at Petit Jean, the first designated state park in Arkansas. The mountainous recreation area is rich in waterfalls, canyons, bluffs, rocky wonders, historic buildings and lots to do for all ages. While it’s a great road trip destination any time of year, autumn color adds extra panache. In fact, with so much to do and a 3.5-hour drive, this trek may be best for an extended weekend.
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What's so special about Petit Jean?
Petit Jean State Park and mountain have something for every outdoor enthusiast. Hikers love the park for its 20-mile network of trails to awe-inspiring waterfalls, natural bridges, cascading creeks, high bluff overlooks and canyon walls.
Not into hilly hikes? There’s an accessible boardwalk overlook, easy paved paths for strolling or cycling and short treks to several natural wonders including a Native American bluff dwelling and massive boulder formations.
If you love a gorgeous sweeping view, this park has those too! One spot is known for stunning sunsets; another for sunrises. And there are plenty of high-bluff vistas around the canyon’s rim. (Parents of small kids take note: most rim areas are not fenced!)
Add to all that a 100-acre lake, cabins, campsites, playgrounds, swimming pools and historic buildings including the Mather Lodge and restaurant — plus the legend of one tragic spirit still haunting the hills — it’s no wonder Petit Jean is a favorite destination.
Keep scrolling to learn about the best things to do at Petit Jean State Park. Or jump here for your guide to accommodations and food; and here to learn the Legend of Petit Jean.
Natural wonders and favorite trails
If you like trails with scenic rewards, you’ll love hiking in Petit Jean. One of our favorite hikes is the moderate Cedar Creek Trail. This 1.25-mile loop begins at the Old Pioneer Cabin, built in 1845 by early settler John Walker. Start on the left side to walk down the steep stair-stepping trail versus climbing back up at the end. At the creek level, continue to the right, then cross a pretty bridge.
When you come to a “T” and a way sign, arrows point right to continue the Cedar Creek Trail with various elevations and scenic spots including a natural rock bridge. Or add to your hike by going left at the sign to follow a portion of the Boy Scout trail to the Rock House Cave.
For an easier way to see the cave, drive around to the quarter-mile Rock House Cave Trail of Red Bluff Drive.
It starts at the Turtle Rocks, a sloping bed of turtle-shell-like geologic formations. Just beyond, you’ll find the cave — actually an ancient bluff shelter that housed Native Americans more than 1,000 years ago. Inside, look for pictographs on the ceiling.
Another easy but amazing spot is the quarter-mile Bear Cave Trail. The formation of monolithic sandstone boulders is more adventure than hike. (There are no bears nor actual caves!)
Follow the trail around the perimeter, duck into indentions, squeeze between boulders and even (carefully!) climb to the top for incredible views. You can park at the site or walk over from Mather Lodge.
The park’s centerpiece sight is Cedar Falls. To see it from below, hike the moderate-to-strenuous Cedar Falls Trail, a 2-mile out-and-back trek to the 95-foot waterfall and grotto. The rocky trail starts steeply downhill, eventually crosses a bridge and continues to the right on a more level path.
Passing photo-worthy creek cascades and pretty pools, the trail leads to the stunning waterfall. (Heads up: There might not be much flow during dry seasons.)
Another popular hike is the moderate (to sometimes challenging) 4.5-mile Seven Hollows Trail, perhaps best known for its massive natural stone arch. With varying elevations, the loop trail goes through forested areas, over ridge tops, along streams and past many geologic formations. A short but rocky spur leads to a rock shelter and grotto. If you only have time for part of the trail, start clockwise (left side of the loop) for a roughly 2.6-mile there-and-back hike to see the stone arch.
Want more hikes to explore? (click to expand the story)
Stretching 12 miles, the park’s longest trail trek follows the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail, a moderate to strenuous path that overlaps or connects to many other park trails.
Another hike is the Canyon Trail, an extension of the Cedar Falls Trail that showcases more pools and cascades. After crossing the bridge to Cedar Falls, turn left for the Canyon Trail instead of right to the falls. This trail adds up to one mile out and one mile back from the bridge.
To skip harder hikes, you can view Cedar Falls from above by walking the Cedar Falls Overlook Trail, a barrier-free boardwalk. There’s also the shaded, paved CCC Hike & Bike Trail that runs along the road through the park, helping visitors walk or bike between the lodge, campgrounds, swimming pools, lake, visitors center and other park amenities.
Overlooks and sweeping vistas
With such a deep canyon, Petit Jean has incredible views, some of which are right in front of cabins. A must-view overlook is at Mather Lodge.
(In fact, it’s so pretty, this writer once witnessed wedding vows exchanged there.)
An open-air shelter at Mather Lodge leads directly to the overlook view of Cedar Creek Canyon at Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas.
The most visited overlook may be at Stout’s Point, a short drive from the main park. Located on Petit Jean Mountain, it overlooks the Arkansas River and Ada Valley and is a great place to catch a sunrise. It feels a bit reverent here as visitors wander the concrete path. After all, it’s also the legendary burial place for Petit Jean, for whom the mountain and park are named. A sign near her gravesite, surrounded by open fencing and tucked between boulders, shares her tragic story.
The best place to watch the setting sun is at the CCC Overlook, a rock shelter perched on the bluff of the Cedar Creek Canyon on Red Bluff Drive. The road takes you first to the Mary Ann Richter Overlook, also a great view that includes nearby Mount Nebo. But the shelter overlook area is wider, so it’s easier to find a spot on busy evenings. Another place to watch the sunset is the Palisades Overlook on Arkansas 154 highway.
Park amenities and historic buildings
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) left its stamp all over Petit Jean State Park, established in the early 1930s. You’ll find native stone cabins, the Lake Bailey rock dam, Davies Bridge (to Red Bluff Drive), an old rock tower, the old CCC Field Chimney (what’s left of a recreation hall) and Mather Lodge — the only CCC-built state park lodge in Arkansas.
The CCC was also responsible for many of the great trails we enjoy today. The “Iron Mike” park statue honors those workers. (Go here for more detailed history.)
Mather Lodge is the heart of the park and the site of a restaurant, gift shop and open-air gathering places on the rim of the Cedar Creek Canyon. It’s named for Stephen Mather, director of the National Park Service in the 1920s.
Down the road, the new Dr. T.W. Hardison Center opened in 2021 near the shore of Lake Bailey. Named for the man considered the “father of the Arkansas State Park System,” the visitors center features a gift shop, interactive exhibits about the park, bathrooms, meeting rooms and a large outdoor fireplace.
Stroll from the visitor center along the lake shore to the boat house where small motor and paddle vessels can be rented in summer months. Anglers can try their luck from Lake Bailey’s shore, an accessible pier or from a boat.
Families with kids will appreciate the park’s two playgrounds. And if you are visiting in summer, cool off in one of two pools. (The one near Mather Lodge is only for cabin and lodge guests).
Whether you stay in the park or in a nearby rental, give yourself time to explore Petit Jean to the fullest.
Got time for a longer vacation? Add to your trip
The drive to reach Petit Jean State Park takes you through gorgeous wilderness areas. Plan to stop for a hike or scenic view along the way there or back. While traveling through northwest Arkansas try Lost Valley Trail in Boxley Valley, Alum Cove Trail near Deer, or Pedestal Rocks & Kings Bluff trails near Sand Gap. Stop for a meal or snack at the Ozark Café in Jasper.
Great side trips from Petit Jean include a visit to Mount Nebo State Park (about 40 minutes away) and Mount Magazine State Park (about one hour away). If you’re a car fan, the Museum of Automobiles is just minutes away.
