Petit Jean State Park
Arkansas’s First State Park — Canyons, Waterfalls, and a Legendary Love Story
Perched atop Petit Jean Mountain in the Arkansas River Valley, Petit Jean State Park holds the distinction of being Arkansas’s very first state park, established in 1923. Its 3,471 acres encompass a spectacular box canyon, a thundering 95-foot waterfall, mysterious cave formations, and some of the most rewarding hiking in the mid-South — all centered around a mountain named for a legendary French woman who disguised herself as a cabin boy to follow the man she loved to the New World.
What sets Petit Jean apart from other state parks is the sheer variety of landscapes compressed into a single mountaintop. Within an hour’s drive from Little Rock, you can descend into Cedar Creek Canyon to stand beneath Cedar Falls, explore bear caves and natural bridges on the Seven Hollows Trail, fish for bass on Lake Bailey, or dine overlooking the canyon at the historic Mather Lodge — a Civilian Conservation Corps masterpiece from 1935.
🏞️ Cedar Falls
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 95 feet (29 m) |
| Creek | Cedar Creek |
| Trail Access | Cedar Falls Trail — 2.0 mi RT, moderate (105 steps down) |
| Best Flow | Late winter through spring (January – May) |
| Canyon | Cedar Creek Canyon — sheer 100-ft sandstone walls |
Cedar Falls is the crown jewel of Petit Jean — a 95-foot waterfall plunging over a horseshoe-shaped sandstone ledge into a deep canyon pool. The Cedar Falls Trail descends 105 stone steps built by the CCC, passing through the canyon where walls tower 100 feet above you. The falls are most impressive after spring rains but flow year-round.
🥾 Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Falls Trail | 2.0 mi RT | Moderate | 105-step descent to the 95-ft Cedar Falls; CCC-era stone stairway |
| Seven Hollows Trail | 4.4 mi loop | Moderate–Strenuous | Caves, natural bridge, grotto with seasonal waterfall, turtle rocks, bluff views |
| Canyon Trail | 1.0 mi | Easy–Moderate | Follows Cedar Creek through the canyon; connects to Boy Scout Trail |
| Bear Cave Trail | 2.4 mi RT | Moderate | Rock shelters, cave formations, and bluff overlooks |
| Rim Trail | 3.5 mi | Moderate | Canyon rim views, connects lodge to campground |
| Rock House Cave Trail | 0.5 mi RT | Easy | Historic bluff shelter once used by Native Americans |
| Boy Scout Trail | 1.5 mi | Moderate | Connects Canyon Trail to Cedar Falls Trail through forest |
⛰️ The Seven Hollows — Petit Jean’s Hidden Wonder
The Seven Hollows Trail is widely considered the park’s finest hike and one of the best trails in Arkansas. This 4.4-mile loop traverses seven small valleys (“hollows”) carved by creeks over millions of years, each revealing different geological surprises:
- Natural Bridge — A natural stone arch spanning a narrow ravine
- The Grotto — A massive overhang with a seasonal waterfall cascading 40 feet into a rock bowl
- Bear Cave — A series of deep rock shelters along the bluff line
- Turtle Rocks — Curiously rounded sandstone boulders that resemble giant turtles
- Bluff Lines — 80-foot sheer walls of Atoka sandstone jutting out over the hollows
🏛️ History & Legend
The mountain is named for a legendary French woman known as “Petit Jean” who, according to folklore, disguised herself as a cabin boy to follow her fiancé Chavet to the New World in the early 1700s. After her identity was discovered on the mountain, she fell ill and died, reportedly buried on the mountaintop that now bears her name. A gravesite monument marks the spot.
- 1923 — Established as Arkansas’s first state park
- 1933–1942 — Civilian Conservation Corps built Mather Lodge, trails, stone bridges, and the dam creating Lake Bailey
- National Historic District — The CCC-era structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Mather Lodge — Named for Stephen Mather, first director of the National Park Service; a CCC Rustic-style lodge perched on the canyon rim since 1935
🏕️ Lodging & Camping
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Mather Lodge | 24 rooms, restaurant with canyon views, gift shop, pool (CCC-era historic) |
| Cabins | 33 cabins (Duplex & Individual), fully furnished with kitchens, fireplaces |
| Class AAA Sites | 35 sites — 50-amp electric, water, sewer hookups |
| Class B Sites | 90 sites — 30-amp electric, water hookups |
| Yurts | 4 Rent-A-Yurts year-round (cots, stove, lantern, canoe included) |
| Fly-In Camping | 5 sites at park airport — unique to Petit Jean! |
💰 Visitor Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free day use |
| Park Hours | 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily |
| Address | 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 |
| Phone | 501-727-5441 |
| From Little Rock | ~65 miles (1 hour drive) |
| Pets | Leashed pets welcome on all trails |
📅 Seasonal Guide
| Season | Highlights | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Peak waterfall flow, wildflowers, comfortable hiking temps | Trails may be muddy; book cabins early |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Swimming in Lake Bailey, ranger programs, full lodge dining | Hot & humid; hike mornings/evenings |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Spectacular Ozark foliage, cool canyon air, fewer crowds | Lodge and cabins fill fast for fall colors |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Frozen falls, misty canyons, solitude on trails | Some facilities closed; check lodge hours |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Cedar Falls at Petit Jean?
Cedar Falls is 95 feet tall, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in Arkansas. The falls plunge over a horseshoe-shaped sandstone ledge into a deep canyon pool. They’re most impressive from late winter through spring, but flow year-round thanks to Cedar Creek’s reliable drainage.
What is the best trail at Petit Jean State Park?
The Seven Hollows Trail (4.4 miles, loop) is widely regarded as the park’s premier hike and one of the best in Arkansas. It features caves, a natural bridge, a grotto with a seasonal waterfall, unique “turtle rocks,” and dramatic bluff lines. For the iconic waterfall, the Cedar Falls Trail (2.0 mi RT) is a must-do.
Is Petit Jean State Park free?
Yes! Day use at Petit Jean State Park is completely free — no entrance fee required. You only pay if you stay overnight at Mather Lodge, rent a cabin, or reserve a campsite. It’s one of the best free outdoor experiences within an hour of Little Rock.
Who was Petit Jean?
According to legend, “Petit Jean” was a young French woman who disguised herself as a cabin boy to follow her fiancé Chavet to the New World in the early 1700s. After her identity was discovered on the mountain, she fell ill and died. She was buried on the mountaintop, which now bears her name. A monument marks the legendary gravesite near the visitor center.
Can you stay at Mather Lodge?
Yes! Mather Lodge is a historic CCC-era lodge perched on the rim of Cedar Creek Canyon. It offers 24 guest rooms with modern amenities, a full-service restaurant with panoramic canyon views, a pool, and a gift shop. Built in 1935, it’s one of the finest examples of Rustic-style CCC architecture in the state. Book well in advance, especially for fall foliage season.
