Enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, floating, and breathtaking beauty at Jean Petit State Park. Explore where you live. Spend more time together.
If you’re searching for the raw, unedited majestic beauty of the Ozark mountains–you’ll find it here in the Petit Jean State Park.
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Petit Jean State Park is located in Morrilton, Arkansas–about 50 miles Northwest of the state capital–Little Rock, Arkansas.
Aside from rugged adventures and breathtaking beauty–the park is well-known for its historic Mather Lodge and neighboring cabins that offer the perfect accommodations for families that are a little less into the rustic appeal of tent camping.
Things to do at Petit Jean State Park: Your Guide to the Outdoors
There is no shortage of family-friendly, outdoorsy activities to keep everyone entertained at Petit Jean. Here, you'll find hiking, camping, boating, floating, and some of the most interesting geography in the Ozarks.
Lake Bailey Offers 100-Acres of Fun on the Water
A lake in the park is the result of damming up the Cedar Creek. The water offers plenty of space for fishing, kayaking, and pedal boating with a nearby campground and one-of-a-kind glamping yurts.
All the Amenities at Jean Petit State Park
Spending a week at Petit Jean State Park offers a wide range of opportunities to kick back and relax. Despite what you might be thinking, there’s more to do here than take a hike. For starters, there are two swimming pools which provide a safe, clean swimming opportunity for families camping in the park.
You will also find:
Playgrounds
Pavilions
A Boat Launch
Tennis Courts
Basketball Courts
Historic Trail of Tears Monument
Visitors Center
Rental Space with Catering Options
Boat Rentals (Fishing Boats, Canoes, Kayaks, Pedal Boats)
Swimming Pool (Day Use and Season Passes Available)
Find an Adventure with a Guided Backpacking Trip with
Opportunities for All Skill Levels in the Ozarks
Spectacular Sights to See at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas
The Jean Petit State Park encompasses 3,471 acres of Arkansas Ozarks. It’s most notably recognized for its deep, breathtaking canyons and the 95-foot Cedar Falls waterfall.
Jean Petit State Park is the perfect spot to spend some more time outdoors. Here is a look at where to go hiking during your visit.
Cedar Falls Hiking Trail
Cedar Falls is a 95-Foot continuously flowing waterfall. There are several access points to the waterfall using both easy and strenuous hikes, as well as a short trek from the road accessible to drivers.
The Cedar Falls overlook is accessible from the CCC Hike & Bike Trail, however most hikers will access the falls from the Cedar Falls Trail which provides a slightly more adventurous trek. Cedar Creek Trail goes above the falls and does not directly lead to the overlook. However, it does provide several great views from bluffs and stone passageways.
Seven Hollows Hiking Trail
Seven Hollows is a loop trail that traverses through several small canyons, providing multiple opportunities to see something extravagant. Take this trek to see natural stone arches, rock shelters and signs of prehistoric stone dwellings inhabited by early Native Americans.
Bear Cave Hiking Trail
Bear Cave Trail is an easy, mostly accessible trail that features a series of giant sandstone formations known as Bear Cave. While it’s not a true cave, the giant monoliths provide interesting shelter and passageway, making this a must-see destination in the Jean Petit State Park.
The Grotto Hiking Trail
The Grotto is a small waterfall (during the rainy season) that comes down a box canyon accessible from the Seven Hollows trail. During its season it's a sight to behold.
Explore the Trails at Jean Petit State Park
From easy, mostly accessible half hour hikes to more strenuous overnight backpacking treks, there are miles of trails for almost everyone in the Petit Jean State Park. Take a moment to download a park map before you go.
Bear Cave Trail (Easy) - 0.5 Hour Hike
Canyon Trail (Easy) - 1-2 Hours
CCC Hike & Bike Trail (Easy) - 1-2 Hours, Multipurpose
Cedar Creek Trail (Moderate) - 2 Hours
Cedar Falls Trail (Moderate) - 2+ Hours
Rock House Cave Trail (Easy) - 0.5 Hour Hike
Seven Hollows Trail (Difficult) - 4-5 Hours
Winthrop P Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail (Difficult) - 8+ Hours
Enjoy the Jean Petit State Park Driving Tour
If you’re not interested in hiking, your entire family can still enjoy the area with a curated driving tour. For those who want a look at the outdoors without the full adventure, this tour keeps things in balance. Click here to download a map with all of the stops. Along the way, you will find:
Museum of Automobiles
Petit Jean’s Gravesite
Petit Jean Airport
Winrock International (Organization dedicated to global agriculture research)
Winrock Farms
Historic 1886 Lutheran Church & Camp
Scenic Red Bluff Drive
Mary Ann Richter Memorial Overlook
CCC Overlook
Lake Roosevelt & Lake Bailey
CCC Native Rock Bridge
John Walker Pioneer Cabin
Cedar Falls Overlook (100 Yard hike from road)
Historic Mather Lodge
CCC Water Tower (Unique Rock Structure)
Bear Cave Rock Formations
Palisades Overlook
Stay Where You Play at Jean Petit State Park
If you're planning to stay for multiple days, Jean Petit State Park in the Arkansas Ozarks offers several options.
Historic Mather Lodge
There are 24 guest rooms overlooking the canyon inside Jean Petit State Park. A small number of rooms in the lodge (currently 4) are pet-friendly.
Rustic Cabins
An additional 33 rustic cabins with modern amenities provide additional comfort camping inside Jean Petit State Park. Many of these cabins have full kitchens, however a few of them are truly primitive. Additionally, several of these cabins are designated as pet-friendly.
Campgrounds
The campground inside Petit Jean State Park features 125 campsites, including 35 Class AAA (water, sewer, and 50 Amp electric) and 90 Class B sites (water and 30 Amp electric). The campground also offers four yurts for a unique glamping experience.
All of these options are great, especially if you can plan ahead. We're planning a trip to Jean Petit State Park this summer, but we've decided to stay close by in an A-frame rental home that has a great view.
Final Tips to Plan Your Trip
Petit Jean State Park offers a magnitude of fun for the whole family. Whether you want to hike or drive a trail or just hang out at the camp sites, there’s a lot to explore. Spend a week in the area to check it all out!
Here are a few helpful links to plan your trip to the Jean Petit State Park in Northwest Arkansas.
Find a Local Hotel: Check dates and rates for places near the Petit Jean on Trip.com
Rent a Car: Drive to the Ozarks and explore Jean Petit in a rental car, get the best rates on Economy Bookings
