Mount Magazine State Park
The park offers spectacular
views from the highest point
in Arkansas.
The park offers spectacular
views from the highest point
in Arkansas.
Petit Jean Valley
Popular for hang gliding, the
east face of the mountain
overlooks Petit Jean Valley.
Popular for hang gliding, the
east face of the mountain
overlooks Petit Jean Valley.
Mount Magazine State Park - Paris, Arkansas
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Mount Magazine State Park - Arkansas
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Mount Magazine State Park - Arkansas
| Mount Magazine State Park A natural "island in the sky," Mount Magazine looms high over the Arkansas River Valley. |
The Highest Point in Arkansas
Rising high above the Arkansas River Valley,
Mount Magazine State park preserves the
spectacular scenery of the tallest mountain in
Arkansas.
Formed over thousands of years, Mount
Magazine was a landmark for Native
Americans long before the first Europeans
set foot in Arkansas. French explorers and fur
trappers who penetrated the region during
the 1600s were quick to notice the mountain
and, in fact, its name comes from the French
word for barn. The name evidently refers to
the unique barn-shaped outline presented by
the mountain when viewed from a distance.
The mountain was a hideout for both
refugees and Arkansas men avoiding service
during the Civil War. Its high bluffs provided
both protection and outstanding viewpoints
from which military movements could be
watched.
In the years after the war, Mount Magazine
took on new life as a significant resort area. A
lodge was built atop the mountain where
visitors could enjoy cool breezes even during
the hottest months of the summer. Plans
were even made for the development of an
entire town on the top of the mountain, but
the envisioned city in the sky never became a
reality.
Today the mountain is an Arkansas state
park and has moved into a new era in its
history as a resort. The state has built a
magnificent new lodge and restaurant on the
bluffs overlooking Petit Jean Valley. Cabins
and campgrounds are also available on the
mountain.
Mount Magazine also offers hiking trails,
picnic areas, horseback trails and launching
points for hang gliding. Several seasonal
waterfalls flow down the sides of the
mountain (usually during the winter and early
spring) and the National Forest Service
recreation area just below the park on
Highway 309 offers swimming in a beautiful
mountain lake.
Often overlooked by many visitors to the park
are its two significant waterfalls. Both flow
best after good rains and are especially
scenic in the winter and early spring.
The Mt. Magazine Cascade, which is more
than 100 feet from top to bottom, can be
reached by following the trail from the Brown
Springs Picnic Area for 1/2 mile until you
reach a stream. The cascade falls off to your
right.
Mt. Magazine Falls is a 28 foot cascade and
waterfall that can be reached from the last
parking area on Cameron Bluff Overlook
Drive. Just follow the trail down the mountain
and under the high bluff until you reach a
creek. The falls will be downstream, 100
yards to your left.
Please exercise caution visiting the falls as
they are slippery and can be dangerous.
Mount Magazine State park preserves the
spectacular scenery of the tallest mountain in
Arkansas.
Formed over thousands of years, Mount
Magazine was a landmark for Native
Americans long before the first Europeans
set foot in Arkansas. French explorers and fur
trappers who penetrated the region during
the 1600s were quick to notice the mountain
and, in fact, its name comes from the French
word for barn. The name evidently refers to
the unique barn-shaped outline presented by
the mountain when viewed from a distance.
The mountain was a hideout for both
refugees and Arkansas men avoiding service
during the Civil War. Its high bluffs provided
both protection and outstanding viewpoints
from which military movements could be
watched.
In the years after the war, Mount Magazine
took on new life as a significant resort area. A
lodge was built atop the mountain where
visitors could enjoy cool breezes even during
the hottest months of the summer. Plans
were even made for the development of an
entire town on the top of the mountain, but
the envisioned city in the sky never became a
reality.
Today the mountain is an Arkansas state
park and has moved into a new era in its
history as a resort. The state has built a
magnificent new lodge and restaurant on the
bluffs overlooking Petit Jean Valley. Cabins
and campgrounds are also available on the
mountain.
Mount Magazine also offers hiking trails,
picnic areas, horseback trails and launching
points for hang gliding. Several seasonal
waterfalls flow down the sides of the
mountain (usually during the winter and early
spring) and the National Forest Service
recreation area just below the park on
Highway 309 offers swimming in a beautiful
mountain lake.
Often overlooked by many visitors to the park
are its two significant waterfalls. Both flow
best after good rains and are especially
scenic in the winter and early spring.
The Mt. Magazine Cascade, which is more
than 100 feet from top to bottom, can be
reached by following the trail from the Brown
Springs Picnic Area for 1/2 mile until you
reach a stream. The cascade falls off to your
right.
Mt. Magazine Falls is a 28 foot cascade and
waterfall that can be reached from the last
parking area on Cameron Bluff Overlook
Drive. Just follow the trail down the mountain
and under the high bluff until you reach a
creek. The falls will be downstream, 100
yards to your left.
Please exercise caution visiting the falls as
they are slippery and can be dangerous.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The state park is also home to a beautiful
interpretive center that provides information
on the history, wildlife and geology of the
mountain. The center is located at the main
entrance to the park on Scenic Highway 309
south of Paris.
Mount Magazine is an excellent gateway for
exploring other state parks in the area
including Petit Jean State Park, the Arkansas
River lakes and the wine country of Arkansas.
Mount Magazine State Park is located on
Scenic Highway 309 about 17 miles south of
Paris. The address is 16878 Highway 309
South, Paris, Arkansas.
The park is open to the public daily and its
day use areas offer some of the finest
scenery in Arkansas.
Please click here to visit the park's website
for additional information and reservation
details for the lodge, cabins and camping.
interpretive center that provides information
on the history, wildlife and geology of the
mountain. The center is located at the main
entrance to the park on Scenic Highway 309
south of Paris.
Mount Magazine is an excellent gateway for
exploring other state parks in the area
including Petit Jean State Park, the Arkansas
River lakes and the wine country of Arkansas.
Mount Magazine State Park is located on
Scenic Highway 309 about 17 miles south of
Paris. The address is 16878 Highway 309
South, Paris, Arkansas.
The park is open to the public daily and its
day use areas offer some of the finest
scenery in Arkansas.
Please click here to visit the park's website
for additional information and reservation
details for the lodge, cabins and camping.
Bluffs of Mount Magazine
The magnificent bluffs of the
mountain make for breath-
taking scenery.
The magnificent bluffs of the
mountain make for breath-
taking scenery.
Mount Magazine
The mountain was a hiding
place for refugees during the
Civil War.
The mountain was a hiding
place for refugees during the
Civil War.
Mt. Magazine Falls
This 28-foot waterfall tumbles
off the mountain just off the
overlook drive.
This 28-foot waterfall tumbles
off the mountain just off the
overlook drive.
The Ouachita Mountains
Petit Jean State Park
Waterfalls of Arkansas
The Lights of Paris (Arkansas)
Ozark Area Historic Sites
Historic Sites in Arkansas
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Petit Jean State Park
Waterfalls of Arkansas
The Lights of Paris (Arkansas)
Ozark Area Historic Sites
Historic Sites in Arkansas
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Photo by Rebecca Friddle
| Photography by Dale Cox and Rebecca Friddle |
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| Copyright 2011 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |