Things to do in Petit Jean State Park include hiking to Cedar Falls, following the Seven Hollows loop, and stopping at overlooks across Petit Jean Mountain. The park is in Morrilton, Arkansas, and offers a range of trails for a day outdoors, from easy short walks to strenuous hikes.
- Location: 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110.
- Park highlights: Cedar Falls, Rock House Cave, and more than 20 miles of trails.
- Short hike: Rock House Cave Trail takes an estimated half hour.
- Longer hike: Seven Hollows Trail takes an estimated 4 hours.
At a glance
4 places · swipe
01Plan the drive from Hot SpringsFor a documented approach to Petit Jean State Park, drive from Morrilton via Arkansas Highway 9 and…
02Scenic stops and park viewsOverlooks and natural landmarks make it easy to add short scenic stops around a hike.
03Facilities and visitor rulesThe visitor center has exhibits about park history and nature, a gift shop, and information on…- 04FAQsYes.
Plan the drive from Hot Springs
For a documented approach to Petit Jean State Park, drive from Morrilton via Arkansas Highway 9 and Highway 154. The park’s information brochure directs drivers south on Highway 9 for 9 miles to Oppelo, then west on Highway 154 for 12 miles to the park.
An alternate approach starts in Centerville: take Highway 7 to Centerville, then follow Highway 154 east for 16 miles to the park. The park address is 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110. These routes provide a starting point for planning, but they do not establish drive time from Hot Springs or live road conditions.
Petit Jean was set aside as park land in 1923, before the Arkansas State Park System was established. Arkansas State Parks describes it as the state’s first state park.
If you’re combining the park with time in town, a one-day Hot Springs itinerary covers ways to plan the local part of your trip.
Scenic stops and park views
Overlooks and natural landmarks make it easy to add short scenic stops around a hike. The park’s named sights include CCC Overlook, Cedar Falls Overlook, Palisades Overlook, Rock House Cave, Cedar Falls, Pioneer Cabin, and Lake Bailey.
For a waterfall outing, Cedar Falls Trail leads to a cascade that drops more than 90 feet to the canyon floor. Rock House Cave is another destination, with an easy trail that suits a shorter stop.
You can build a day around one of these landmarks or combine a brief walk with a longer trail, depending on how much hiking you want to fit in.
Which Petit Jean State Park trails should you choose?
Choose a Petit Jean State Park trail by matching its difficulty and estimated hiking time to your day. The park has more than 20 miles of trails, with options for quick walks and demanding hikes.
Cedar Falls Trail
Cedar Falls Trail is a strenuous 2-mile out-and-back hike with an estimated hiking time of 2 hours. It reaches the falls, which cascade more than 90 feet to the canyon floor.
Seven Hollows Trail
Seven Hollows Trail is a moderate-to-strenuous 4½-mile loop with an estimated hiking time of 4 hours. The Natural Bridge is 1.3 miles from the trailhead, and the Grotto is 2¼ miles from it.
Cedar Creek Trail
Cedar Creek Trail is a moderate 1¼-mile loop with an estimated hiking time of 1½ hours. Its trailhead is at Pioneer Cabin, 1 mile west of the visitor center on Highway 154.
Rock House Cave and Bear Cave trails
Rock House Cave Trail is an easy ¼-mile out-and-back route with an estimated hiking time of half an hour; its trailhead is 1 mile west on Red Bluff Drive.
Bear Cave Trail is also an easy ¼-mile out-and-back route with an estimated hiking time of half an hour, with its trailhead 1 mile west of Mather Lodge on Highway 154.
CCC Hike & Bike Trail
The easy CCC Hike & Bike Trail runs 1¾ miles between Mather Lodge and the park campgrounds. Bicycles are allowed, but motorized vehicles are not.
Facilities and visitor rules
The visitor center has exhibits about park history and nature, a gift shop, and information on interpretive programs. The swimming pool and boathouse operate seasonally; the boathouse offers seasonal boat rentals and a snack bar.
Follow the trail rules: swimming is prohibited in Cedar Creek and in the pool at the bottom of Cedar Falls. Glass containers and alcoholic beverages are not allowed on trails, and visitors must not litter, camp overnight along trails, or let pets run loose.
Some areas have no fences or warning signs, so take care and supervise children. For an in-park emergency, call 911; the visitor center and Mather Lodge are places to notify staff about an injury or emergency.
When does a day trip make sense?
A day trip works best when you choose a main hike before setting out and leave room for a scenic stop. The estimated times range from half an hour on the easy cave trails to 4 hours on Seven Hollows, so use the hike itself to set the pace for the rest of your visit.
Park hours, entrance fees, visitor-center hours, trail and facility openings, and road or parking conditions can change; check the official site before you go, using Arkansas State Parks as the operator.
For lodging in the area, this motel in Hot Springs is Lotus by Hotel Inn - Hot Springs.
FAQs
Is Petit Jean State Park Arkansas’s first state park?
Yes. Arkansas State Parks describes it as the state’s first state park. The land was set aside for a park in 1923, before the state park system was established.
Which trail is a good choice for a short walk?
Rock House Cave Trail and Bear Cave Trail are both easy, ¼-mile out-and-back hikes with estimated hiking times of half an hour.
Can you swim at Cedar Falls?
No. Swimming is prohibited in Cedar Creek and in the pool at the bottom of Cedar Falls.