Hiking - Petit Jean State Park
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Bear Cave Trail
Length: .25 mile
Time: .5 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Brochure: Available at lodge and visitor center
Description: Visitors to Bear Cave can walk under, around, through and over (with care) gigantic sandstone boulders. Although there is no true cave, the huge rocks form a number of rock shelters and narrow passageways. Wander through these tremendous stone monoliths and imagine the incredible forces of wind and water that caused what you see today. (Light Pink Blazes)
Location: Take Exit #108 off I-40 at Morrilton and travel nine miles south on Hwy. 9, then go 12 miles west on Hwy. 154; or from Dardanelle, travel seven miles south on Hwy. 7, then go 16 miles east on Hwy. 154 to the park.
Canyon Trail
Length: 1 mile; 2 miles if backtracking to Cedar Falls Trail
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Brochure: Available at lodge and visitor center
Description: Once part of the Boy Scout Trail, this trail follows Cedar Creek's many small falls and deep pools as it splashes through the Cedar Creek Canyon. Large boulders and huge pines and sycamores dominate this very pleasant trail. (Yellow Blazes)
Location: Take Exit #108 off I-40 at Morrilton and travel nine miles south on Hwy. 9, then go 12 miles west on Hwy. 154; or from Dardanelle, travel seven miles south on Hwy. 7, then go 16 miles east on Hwy. 154 to the park.
Comments: The Canyon Trail is considered easy, but the section on Cedar Falls Trail is moderate to strenous.
CCC Hike & Bike Trail
Length: 1.75 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Additional Trail Information: Trail Motto: “Use Good Trail Manners.”
Description: This shaded trail connects Mather Lodge to the park campgrounds and is named in honor of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) who constructed Mather Lodge and built many structures that the trail passes. The winding trail offers access to the Cedar Falls Overlook, the Cedar Creek trailhead at the Pioneer Cabin, the park swimming pool, tennis courts and the visitor information center. Using the CCC Hike & Bike trail offers a safe and scenic alternative to traveling along Highway 154 while walking or cycling.
Location: Trailhead: The CCC Water Tower near Mather Lodge.
Trail end: Tanyard Springs road at western edge of Camp Area B
Cedar Creek Trail
Length: 1.25 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Brochure: Available at lodge and visitor center
Description: This trail winds along a scenic section of Cedar Creek above Cedar Falls. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930's, this trail's rock steps and bluffs create a few difficult places. The mountain stream, high bluffs and thick vegetation make Cedar Creek Trail perfect for experiencing local bird and plant life. A guide to the trail is available at Mather Lodge and at the park Visitor Center. (Dark Pink Blazes)
Location: Take Exit #108 off I-40 at Morrilton and travel nine miles south on Hwy. 9, then go 12 miles west on Hwy. 154; or from Dardanelle, travel seven miles south on Hwy. 7, then go 16 miles east on Hwy. 154 to the park.
Cedar Falls Trail (National Recreation Trail)
Length: 2 miles round trip
Time: 1 1/2 - 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Brochure: Available at lodge and visitor center
Description: The trail begins behind the breezeway at Mather Lodge, a majestic CCC rustic style mountain lodge, and winds down into Cedar Creek Canyon. Massive stone boulders and large trees adorn the trailside. The trail then follows Cedar Creek to 95-foot Cedar Falls, one of the tallest continuously flowing waterfalls in the state. This is a photographer's paradise. (Orange Blazes)
Location: Exit No. 108 off I-40 at Morrilton, 9 miles south on Hwy. 9, then 12 miles west on Hwy. 154
Rock House Cave Trail
Length: .25 mile
Time: .5 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Brochure: Available at lodge and visitor center
Description: Rock House Cave is not a true cave, but a large rock shelter. It is also the premier spot in the state for viewing Native American rock art- created over 500 years ago. This trail also includes some of the most interesting geological formations in the park; Turtle Rocks. (Purple Blazes)
Location: Take Exit #108 off I-40 at Morrilton and travel nine miles south on Hwy. 9, then go 12 miles west on Hwy. 154; or from Dardanelle, travel seven miles south on Hwy. 7, then go 16 miles east on Hwy. 154 to the park.
Seven Hollows Trail
Length: 4 1/2 miles
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Brochure: Available at lodge and visitor center
Description: This loop trail passes through a series of small canyons under the canopy of a dense hardwood forest. Unique features such as a natural stone arch, rock shelters, a box canyon and signs of prehistoric bluff-dwelling Native Americans add to the experience of this truly spectacular trail. (Light Blue Blazes)
Location: Exit #108 off I-40 at Morrilton, nine miles south on Hwy. 9, then 12 miles west on Hwy. 154
Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail
Length: 12 miles
Time: 8 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Brochure: Available at lodge and visitor center
Description: The Boy Scout Trail connects and follows portions of almost all the trails at Petit Jean State Park. All the different habitats that make up the park's ecosystem are represented on this trail. It is long and at times difficult, so start early and plan to take several breaks. Please register at the Visitor Center if you plan to hike the entire trail. (White Blazes)
Location: Take Exit #108 off I-40 at Morrilton and travel nine miles south on Hwy. 9, then go 12 miles west on Hwy. 154; or from Dardanelle, travel seven miles south on Hwy. 7, then go 16 miles east on Hwy. 154 to the park.
For Information:
Park Superintendent,
1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road,
Morrilton,
AR
72110
, (501) 727-5441
http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com
petitjean@arkansas.com
- Contact Information
- 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road
Morrilton, AR 72110
- Email: petitjean@arkansas.com)
- 501-727-5441
- www.petitjeanstatepark.com
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