Petit Jean State Park
Stout's Point, a rocky bluff overlook on Petit Jean Mountain's east brow, offers dramatic views of the Arkansas River Valley below.
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When portions of Petit Jean Mountain were set aside as public land in 1923, it set the precedent for the establishment of state parks in Arkansas. The natural beauty of this mountain, which rises 1,207 feet above sea level, is evident whether you view it from the Arkansas River Valley below, or look down on the Arkansas River from the east brow at Stout's Point.
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Petit Jean State Park stands in tribute to the craftsmenship and conservation legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Native log and stone facilities built by these men in the 1930s mirror the mountain's rugged, natural beauty. Preserved throughout the park as National Register of Historic Places districts, they include the park's mountain lodge, cabins, pavilions, visitor center, trails, and other works. The diversity of geological formations on Petit Jean Mountain is fascinating. Hiking trails will lead you through forests, canyons, bluffs, caves — some with American Indian pictographs to explore — streams, meadows, and mountainsides. Overlooking Cedar Creek Canyon is the park's Mather Lodge, featuring 24 guest rooms. [NOTE: Mather Lodge is closed from 2011 through spring 2012 while undergoing renovation. This includes the restaurant. However, all park cabins remain open.] Thirty-three cabins are nearby; some are on the canyon bluff, while others are nestled in the woods. Park campsites are a short drive away, near Lake Bailey. Park interpreters offer a variety of programs and special events throughout the year.
A must-see experience in the park is Cedar Falls, the park's spectacular waterfall that cascades 95 feet into rugged, scenic Cedar Creek Canyon. Overlooks above, and a trail below, offer park visitors many different viewpoints for enjoying the seasonal natural beauty of Cedar Falls.
Through time, Petit Jean Mountain has been a place of opportunity, for explorers, for settlers, and for travelers like you. Petit Jean State Park is a place where all elements work in harmony: the natural beauty of the mountain and its windswept views of the Arkansas River Valley, the warmth of the CCC/Rustic-style architecture, and the diversity of geological formations and wildlife habitats.
To discover more about Arkansas's first state park, go to: www.PetitJeanStatePark.com.
