Explore Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas's First State Park

Arkansas's First State Park: Cedar Falls, Seven Hollows, and River Valley Overlooks

On top of Petit Jean Mountain between the Ozark and Ouachita ranges in west-central Arkansas, the view from Stout’s Point overlook sweeps across the Arkansas River Valley in giant curves of water and green bottomland that seems to stretch to the edge of the visible world. It is one of the most compelling overlooks in the South, and it is also where the legend of the park begins. According to local tradition, a young French woman named Adrienne disguised herself as a cabin boy named “Petit Jean” to follow her fiancé on an expedition to the New World; she fell ill and died on this mountain, and was buried here in the late 18th century under the name she had been known by on the voyage. Whether or not the story is literally true, the mountain keeps her name, and the park she inspired has been at the center of Arkansas’s outdoor recreation tradition since 1923, when it became the first state park in the state.

Nearly a million visitors come to Petit Jean State Park annually, drawn by a landscape that packs a remarkable diversity of experiences into 3,471 acres. The signature attraction is Cedar Falls, a 95-foot cascade that plunges through a stone amphitheater into Cedar Creek Canyon and stands as the most photographed waterfall in Arkansas. The Cedar Falls Trail is a moderate 2-mile round trip from Mather Lodge; allow two hours and wear footwear with grip, as the descent into the canyon involves rocky switchbacks and the trail can be wet. The Seven Hollows Trail, a 4.5-mile loop, traverses seven separate canyons carved by streams through sandstone layers over millions of years, passing grottos, natural bridges, and rock formations that produced the most compelling geological argument for protecting this mountain.

Additional geological and archaeological features scattered through the park include Bear Cave, Rock House Cave, the Grotto, Turtle Rocks, Carpet Rocks, and Natural Bridge, each reachable on short trails from parking areas. Lake Bailey, created by damming Cedar Creek above the falls, covers 100 acres and supports pedal boating, fishing for channel catfish and bass, and a boathouse with rentals. The park also offers two swimming pools, one open to all visitors near the picnic area, and one reserved for cabin and lodge guests.

Mather Lodge, built of native stone by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the only CCC lodge built in Arkansas that remains in operation. Its restaurant, with canyon views from the dining room, is both a practical lunch stop on a trail day and a genuine destination in its own right. The park offers a series of rental cabins with varying amenity levels, including some with multiple bedrooms and full kitchens, all managed by Arkansas State Parks. Families who want the full mountain-top experience without driving back to town each evening find the on-site cabins ideal for multi-day visits. Pet-first travelers should check current Arkansas State Parks pet policies for specific cabin types before booking.

The communities of Morrilton and Conway, within 30 to 40 minutes of the park, offer a broader range of vacation rental inventory, including cozy multi-bedroom homes and comfortable properties with full kitchens, BBQ grills, and outdoor space. Little Rock, 75 miles southeast, provides the widest accommodation selection for groups wanting a larger city base for this and surrounding attractions. Book your accommodations near Petit Jean State Park through Lake.com.