Hiking at Petit Jean State Park
Hiking Trails - Arkansas State Parks ...
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Petit Jean State Park is located near Morrilton, Arkansas just northwest of Little Rock. We visited
here for the first time over the kids spring break, and spent three days hiking, exploring, and enjoying
the beautiful scenery.
The scenery in this part of the country is absolutely amazing. During our visit we had the opportunity to
hike many of the trails. Here is some information on the hiking trails that we explored that you might
find helpful, along with some of the photos that we took.
Bear Cave Hiking Trail is only 1/4 mile long and takes about 1/2 hour to complete. The trailhead is
located right off the main park road and there is ample parking available for either a car or RV. As
soon as you start this hike you are immediately walking through beautiful rock formations. The trail is
well marked and easy to hike.
here for the first time over the kids spring break, and spent three days hiking, exploring, and enjoying
the beautiful scenery.
The scenery in this part of the country is absolutely amazing. During our visit we had the opportunity to
hike many of the trails. Here is some information on the hiking trails that we explored that you might
find helpful, along with some of the photos that we took.
Bear Cave Hiking Trail is only 1/4 mile long and takes about 1/2 hour to complete. The trailhead is
located right off the main park road and there is ample parking available for either a car or RV. As
soon as you start this hike you are immediately walking through beautiful rock formations. The trail is
well marked and easy to hike.
| Rock formations along the way |
| Trailhead to Cedar Falls Overlook |
| Bear Cave |
| Ramp to the start of the trail |
| Entrance to Rock House Cave |
| The Eye of the Needle - Bear Cave Trail |
| Starting out on Bear Cave Trail |
| Rock House Cave in the distance |
Cedar Falls Overlook - is only 1/4 mile long and takes about 1/2 hour to hike. The trailhead is located
right off the main park road and there is a large paved parking lot available for cars, buses or RVs.
This hiking trail is handicap accessible and really consists of a long, winding walkway made up of
nice, smooth decking. At the end of the walkway there is a large observation deck that has a wonderful
view of Cedar Falls. This is well worth seeing when you visit Petit Jean State Park.
right off the main park road and there is a large paved parking lot available for cars, buses or RVs.
This hiking trail is handicap accessible and really consists of a long, winding walkway made up of
nice, smooth decking. At the end of the walkway there is a large observation deck that has a wonderful
view of Cedar Falls. This is well worth seeing when you visit Petit Jean State Park.
| Cedar Falls observation deck |
| Trail slopes downward over the Turtle Rocks |
| Turtle Rocks |
| View of Cedar Falls |
| Hiking along Bear Cave Trail |
Rock House Cave Trail - The hike from the parking lot is only about 1/4 mile and takes you through a
very interesting area called the Turtle Rocks. This takes you gradually down the slope over bumpy
rocks that look like the back of a turtle shell. Once you get down below the Turtle Rocks then it is a
short, easy hike to Rock House Cave. This is another short hike that takes only about 1/2 hour to
complete, but this trail connects up with Cedar Falls Hiking Trail, which is about 2 miles long.
very interesting area called the Turtle Rocks. This takes you gradually down the slope over bumpy
rocks that look like the back of a turtle shell. Once you get down below the Turtle Rocks then it is a
short, easy hike to Rock House Cave. This is another short hike that takes only about 1/2 hour to
complete, but this trail connects up with Cedar Falls Hiking Trail, which is about 2 miles long.
| View from Rock House Cave |
| Looking for cave art on back ceiling |
| Cave Art |
| Back wall of Rock House Cave |
Cedar Falls Hiking Trail - This hiking trail is about 2 miles long and takes about 2 hours to hike. This
trail takes you through a heavily wooded area with many interesting rock formations. Along the way
there is a scenic overlook of Cedar Falls, and there are also several caves along this trail. This trail
has some up and down climbing, and the park service rates it as being moderate to hard. Most of the
trails at Petit Jean have some up and down climbing, but also have many nice resting spots along the
way where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
trail takes you through a heavily wooded area with many interesting rock formations. Along the way
there is a scenic overlook of Cedar Falls, and there are also several caves along this trail. This trail
has some up and down climbing, and the park service rates it as being moderate to hard. Most of the
trails at Petit Jean have some up and down climbing, but also have many nice resting spots along the
way where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
| Scenic bluff along Cedar Falls trail |
| Natural stone for steps on trail |
| Scenery along the hiking trail |
| One of many caves in the area |
| View from inside cave |
Cedar Creek Hiking Trail - This hiking trail is about 1 1/4 miles long and takes about 1 1/2 hours to
complete. This is a great hike that starts out near an old pioneer cabin and meanders along Cedar
Creek. At the beginning of the hike there are several small waterfalls with rock formations that provide
great photo opportunities. There are two bridges along this trail where you cross over the creek. The
trail is well marked and makes for a very nice hike. There is some up and down climbing, but this hike
is not difficult. It starts at the Pioneer cabin and loops back to the starting point.
complete. This is a great hike that starts out near an old pioneer cabin and meanders along Cedar
Creek. At the beginning of the hike there are several small waterfalls with rock formations that provide
great photo opportunities. There are two bridges along this trail where you cross over the creek. The
trail is well marked and makes for a very nice hike. There is some up and down climbing, but this hike
is not difficult. It starts at the Pioneer cabin and loops back to the starting point.
| Cedar Creek Trailhead |
| Pioneer Cabin |
| Waterfalls near beginning of trail |
| Hiking Cedar Creek trail |
| One of two bridges along trail |
| Hiking Cedar Creek trail |
| View from above Cedar Creek |
| Interesting rock along hiking trail |
Seven Hollows Hiking Trail - This hiking trail is about 4 1/2 miles long and takes 4 hours to complete
the entire hike. There is a large dirt parking lot at the trailhead, and it is only a 1.3 mile hike to Natural
Bridge. Our hike took us a little past Natural Bridge for a roundtrip of about 3 miles. This trail starts out
different then most of the other trails, in that the beginning of this trail takes you through smaller trees
with kind of a sandy trail. However, about 1/2 mile into the trail you begin to see lots of interesting rock
formations and caves. This hiking trail has markers every 1/2 mile, so that you can easily gage your
progress. If you reach the 1.5 mile marker and you didn't see the Natural Bridge rock formation on the
left side of the trail, then turnaround and hike back a ways and you will be sure to see it. Coming this
direction it is almost impossible to miss, and you will wonder how you did, as it is quite impressive.
This is a very nice hike and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
the entire hike. There is a large dirt parking lot at the trailhead, and it is only a 1.3 mile hike to Natural
Bridge. Our hike took us a little past Natural Bridge for a roundtrip of about 3 miles. This trail starts out
different then most of the other trails, in that the beginning of this trail takes you through smaller trees
with kind of a sandy trail. However, about 1/2 mile into the trail you begin to see lots of interesting rock
formations and caves. This hiking trail has markers every 1/2 mile, so that you can easily gage your
progress. If you reach the 1.5 mile marker and you didn't see the Natural Bridge rock formation on the
left side of the trail, then turnaround and hike back a ways and you will be sure to see it. Coming this
direction it is almost impossible to miss, and you will wonder how you did, as it is quite impressive.
This is a very nice hike and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
| Seven Hollows Trailhead |
| Starting out on the hike |
| Seven Hollows trail is a 4.5 mile loop |
| Hiking Seven Hollows Trail |
| One of many caves along the hike |
| Caves along hiking trail |
| Crystal clear stream along trail |
| Natural Bridge |