Petit Jean State Park - Spectacular Views
Petit Jean State Park
There are few places in the South that offer the spectacular scenery and colorful history to be found within the 2,658 acres of
Petit Jean State Park. Arkansas' first state park, Petit Jean encompasses beautiful Petit Jean Mountain, a unique geological
formation between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain ranges.
The point of Petit Jean Mountain near the legendary
grave of Petit Jean offers spectacular views of the
Arkansas River Valley and surrounding countryside.
Petit Jean Mountain is surrounded by beautiful farms
and forests. In the fall, the view takes on an amazing
array of colors but is worth the trip any time of the year.
The Arkansas River as seen from Petit Jean
Mountain. This river was and is one of America's
great waterways and vital transportation routes.
A unique gateway in the rock near Petit Jean's grave
leads through to the edge of a steep bluff overlooking
the vast valley beyond.
Photographic Tour
Cedar Creek flows through a magnificent canyon that
is among the most spectacular in Arkansas. This
view is from the Cedar Falls Overlook.
Petit Jean Mountain was once a rugged frontier,
as is evidenced by this surviving cabin dating from
1845.
The legendary grave of Petit Jean, said to have been
a young girl who stowed away aboard a French ship
to follow her true love to America.
Several key points in the park offer modern
boardwalks like this one, helping visitors of all ages
and conditions experience the magnificent views.
Color of fall atop the palisades of Cedar Creek. This
photograph was taken near the historic CCC
Overlook on the park's Red Bluff Drive.
Crystal clear water flows toward Cedar Falls from
Lake Roosevelt. Although man-made, this small
cascade is quite beautiful.
Water falls over rock at Lake Roosevelt before flowing
under a unique stone bridge dating from the days of
the Great Depression.
Water and wind helped carve unique passages at the
Bear Cave, like this one that leads through solid rock
to the forest beyond.
Stone and wood combine to create a unique
landmark on the palisades of Cedar Creek. The
Palisades Overlook features stunning views.
The highlight of Petit Jean State Park for many
visitors, Cedar Falls is Arkansas' most seen
and most photographed waterfall.
A sample of the surviving artwork inside Rock House
Cave, this symbols are believed to have been painted
more than one thousand years ago.
Rock House Cave was used by Native Americans for
thousands of years. Their artwork, in the form of
pictographs (cave paintings) still decorate the walls.
The Turtle Rocks are usually a marvel for children
visiting Petit Jean. This natural formations appear in
large groupings and often look amazingly like turtles.
Return to the Petit Jean Main Page