Petit Jean Mountain
The views from the top of Petit
Jean Mountain are among the
most scenic to be found in the
South.
The views from the top of Petit
Jean Mountain are among the
most scenic to be found in the
South.
Natural Passage
The Bear Cave area at Petit
Jean State Park is a natural
maze of narrow passages
and unusual rock formations.
The Bear Cave area at Petit
Jean State Park is a natural
maze of narrow passages
and unusual rock formations.
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Petit Jean Mountain, Arkansas
Petit Jean Mountain and Petit Jean State Park - Arkansas
| Cedar Falls at Petit Jean Mountain This magnificent waterfall is one of the favorite attractions at Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas. |
The First Arkansas State Park
From its stunning scenery to its amazing
archaeological sites, Petit Jean State Park is
one of Arkansas' crown jewels.
Containing 2,568 acres, this was Arkansas'
first state park and for good reason. Petit
Jean State Park protects cave paintings and
archaeological sites dating back thousands
of years, along with numerous other
historical and geological treasures.
The park takes its name from Petit Jean
Mountain, the magnificent ridge that towers
over the Arkansas River Valley just west of
Little Rock.
Arkansas legend holds that the mountain
was the scene of a young French girl. So
petite in stature that she was called "Petit
Jean," she had disguised herself as a cabin
boy in order to follow her lover on a voyage of
discovery to America.
The story tells of how she followed him on a
journey up into the wilderness of Arkansas,
only to mysteriously sicken and die in the
valley below the east face of Petit Jean
Mountain. Local Native Americans took her
up to the top of the mountain and buried her
in a still visible grave nestled in a natural rock
garden overlooking the vast Arkansas River
Valley below. It is said that her restless ghost
lingers there to this day.
Petit Jean Mountain, in fact, is a national
treasure rich in history and scenic beauty.
The massive state park offers waterfalls, a
beautiful canyon, unusual rock formations
and more.
The centerpiece of the park is Cedar Falls,
one of the tallest waterfalls east of the
Rockies. The stunning waterfall can be
viewed from an overlook platform and is also
accessible via hiking trails through the valley
floor.
On the mountain surrounding the waterfall
can be seen a variety of unusual geological
formations. Among the most popular are
"turtle rocks," so named because the
resemble the backs of giant turtles.
Overlooking Cedar Falls from the west side
of the canyon is Rock House Cave, a unique
archaeological landmark. Inside this
unusually deep rock shelter can be found
Native American paintings dating back more
than 1,000 years. The cave is accessible to
the public, just be sure to take along a
flashlight for a better view of the amazing
paintings.
Other points of interest include a pioneer log
cabin dating from before the Civil War, the
Petit Jean Lodge, cabins, picnic areas, hiking
trails, scenic overlooks and more.
archaeological sites, Petit Jean State Park is
one of Arkansas' crown jewels.
Containing 2,568 acres, this was Arkansas'
first state park and for good reason. Petit
Jean State Park protects cave paintings and
archaeological sites dating back thousands
of years, along with numerous other
historical and geological treasures.
The park takes its name from Petit Jean
Mountain, the magnificent ridge that towers
over the Arkansas River Valley just west of
Little Rock.
Arkansas legend holds that the mountain
was the scene of a young French girl. So
petite in stature that she was called "Petit
Jean," she had disguised herself as a cabin
boy in order to follow her lover on a voyage of
discovery to America.
The story tells of how she followed him on a
journey up into the wilderness of Arkansas,
only to mysteriously sicken and die in the
valley below the east face of Petit Jean
Mountain. Local Native Americans took her
up to the top of the mountain and buried her
in a still visible grave nestled in a natural rock
garden overlooking the vast Arkansas River
Valley below. It is said that her restless ghost
lingers there to this day.
Petit Jean Mountain, in fact, is a national
treasure rich in history and scenic beauty.
The massive state park offers waterfalls, a
beautiful canyon, unusual rock formations
and more.
The centerpiece of the park is Cedar Falls,
one of the tallest waterfalls east of the
Rockies. The stunning waterfall can be
viewed from an overlook platform and is also
accessible via hiking trails through the valley
floor.
On the mountain surrounding the waterfall
can be seen a variety of unusual geological
formations. Among the most popular are
"turtle rocks," so named because the
resemble the backs of giant turtles.
Overlooking Cedar Falls from the west side
of the canyon is Rock House Cave, a unique
archaeological landmark. Inside this
unusually deep rock shelter can be found
Native American paintings dating back more
than 1,000 years. The cave is accessible to
the public, just be sure to take along a
flashlight for a better view of the amazing
paintings.
Other points of interest include a pioneer log
cabin dating from before the Civil War, the
Petit Jean Lodge, cabins, picnic areas, hiking
trails, scenic overlooks and more.
| Copyright 2008 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
An often overlooked but remarkable
experience at the park is Red Bluff Drive.
Located opposite the canyon from the lodge,
the drive takes visitors to overlooks that
provide outstanding views of the remarkable
palisades of the mountain. These dramatic
bluffs are among the most beautiful to be
found in the South.
Petit Jean State Park and Petit Jean Mountain
are located near Morrilton between Little
Rock and Russellville. The mountain is
easily accessible from both Interstate 40 and
Scenic Highway 7.
The park is open during daylight hours
throughout the year and also offers
accommodations and campgrounds.
experience at the park is Red Bluff Drive.
Located opposite the canyon from the lodge,
the drive takes visitors to overlooks that
provide outstanding views of the remarkable
palisades of the mountain. These dramatic
bluffs are among the most beautiful to be
found in the South.
Petit Jean State Park and Petit Jean Mountain
are located near Morrilton between Little
Rock and Russellville. The mountain is
easily accessible from both Interstate 40 and
Scenic Highway 7.
The park is open during daylight hours
throughout the year and also offers
accommodations and campgrounds.
lor.
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Petit Jean's Grave
An iron fence surrounds the
low mound that according to
legend marks the grave of
Petit Jean. Her restless ghost
supposedly still roams the
top of the mountain.
An iron fence surrounds the
low mound that according to
legend marks the grave of
Petit Jean. Her restless ghost
supposedly still roams the
top of the mountain.
Rock House Cave
This unusually deep rock
shelter on Petit Jean
Mountain is noted for its
remarkable collection of
Native American paintings.
This unusually deep rock
shelter on Petit Jean
Mountain is noted for its
remarkable collection of
Native American paintings.
The Ghost of Petit Jean Mountain
Native American Art of Rock House Cave
Other Sites at Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean State Park Official Site
Historic Sites in Arkansas
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Native American Art of Rock House Cave
Other Sites at Petit Jean State Park
Petit Jean State Park Official Site
Historic Sites in Arkansas
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
