Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean State Park sits on a mountain plateau above the Arkansas River and features dense forests, rock formations, and a 95-foot waterfall called Cedar Falls. The landscape shifts between wooded slopes, flat tablelands, and deep canyons crossed by several hiking trails.

The park was established in 1923 as the first state park in Arkansas after the National Park Service deemed the area too small for national designation. During the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built most of the main facilities and trails still in use today.

The park takes its name from a French legend about a young woman who dressed as a cabin boy to follow her beloved across the ocean to America. Her journey ended on this mountain, where she was buried and has been remembered ever since.

The park offers log cabins, campsites, and a lodge with guest rooms for overnight stays. Hiking trails range from short walks to longer routes through the canyons, and fishing is available at several lakes within the park.

The Seven Hollows Trail passes through seven natural stone arches carved by water erosion over millions of years. Some of these arches are large enough for visitors to walk through, while others appear only as narrow openings in the rock.

Location: Conway County

Inception: 1923

Website: https://arkansasstateparks.com/parks/petit-jean-state-park

GPS coordinates: 35.11510,-92.93540

Latest update: December 20, 2025 15:58