Perched atop Petit Jean Mountain in Conway County, Petit Jean State Park holds the distinction of being Arkansas’s first state park—and it remains one of its finest. This 3,471-acre natural treasure near Morrilton delivers the kind of dramatic Ozark scenery that draws visitors back year after year, as reflected in its exceptional 4.9-star rating from nearly 7,000 reviews.

The park’s crown jewel is Cedar Falls, a stunning 95-foot waterfall accessible via a moderate 2-mile round-trip hike through a canyon of towering bluffs and hardwood forest. Seven Hollows Trail offers more ambitious hikers a chance to explore diverse ecosystems, from cedar groves to boulder fields, while the Bear Cave loop provides family-friendly adventure with its rock shelters and overlooks.

Beyond hiking, Petit Jean offers fishing and boating on Lake Bailey, rock climbing on permitted bluffs, and some of the best stargazing in the state thanks to minimal light pollution. The historic Mather Lodge, a Civilian Conservation Corps masterpiece built in the 1930s, provides comfortable accommodations with panoramic canyon views.

Spring brings wildflowers and rushing waterfalls fed by seasonal rains, while fall transforms the mountain into a tapestry of red and gold. Summer offers warm swimming days, though trails can be humid. Winter provides solitude and ice-draped cliffs for photographers.

Expect well-maintained trails, friendly staff, and that particular Arkansas hospitality that makes state parks here feel like coming home.

Explore Nearby

• Ozark–St. Francis National Forest — National Forest in Arkansas
• Ouachita National Forest — National Forest in Arkansas, Oklahoma
• Talimena Scenic Drive — Scenic Byway in Arkansas