Arkansas State Parks manages Petit Jean State Park, where this established campground spreads across four distinct loops accommodating 125 sites total. The facility operates year-round with full amenities including showers, hookups, and a dump station, though campers should prepare for rough access roads in certain areas.

Loop A sits directly on Lake Bailey with 35 full-hookup sites featuring 50-amp service, water, and sewer connections. These newer, level sites stay booked about 93% of the year according to park staff, requiring reservations well in advance. The remaining 90 sites in Loops B, C, and D offer 30-amp electric and water hookups, with Loops C and D providing more wooded, private settings. However, several reviewers warn about unlevel sites throughout these areas. [Shana D.](https://thedyrt.com/camping/arkansas/arkansas-petit-jean-state-park/reviews/39276) noted "several sites in B & C were uneven from roots pushing the asphalt up."

The park's trail system draws many visitors, with Cedar Falls being the signature destination when water levels permit. Bear Cave Trail offers easier access to interesting rock formations, while multiple overlooks provide drive-up viewing options. Mather Lodge serves meals with lake views, and the facility includes a pool, tennis courts, and boat rentals during peak season. A paved multi-use trail connects the campground loops to various park amenities.

Bathhouses receive regular cleaning but lack privacy in shower areas, with changing space limited to open areas behind curtains. [Susan L.](https://thedyrt.com/camping/arkansas/arkansas-petit-jean-state-park/reviews/61801) observed the park sometimes allows large groups in regular sites rather than directing them to designated group areas, which can impact the camping experience significantly.

For additional camping choices in the region, consider [campgrounds around Adona] or nearby [Camp 62 on Petit Jean Mountain](https://thedyrt.com/camping/arkansas/camp-62-on-petit-jean-mountain) for a different mountain setting.

The campgrounds feature a total of 125 campsites (including 26 pull-through sites). Thirty-five of the sites—the Class AAA sites—have 30 and 50 amp electrical, water, and sewer hookups. The 90 Class B sites offer 30 amp electrical and water hookups. All sites are reservable. Campsites are divided into four campground areas. Each includes a modern bathhouse with hot showers and flush toilets. Area "A" is near Lake Bailey and include sites along the lakeshore. Areas "B," "C," and "D" are located on the south side of Ark. 154 in wooded settings.

 Other campsite choices in the main camping area include a 44-unit Rally-style Area with 20 amp electrical service available for camping clubs. 

 A trailer dump station is centrally located near the Rally-style camping area.

 Petit Jean is Arkansas's only state park with its own airport.

Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

Adona, AR is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Adona is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Adona camping trip.

Adona

The Best Camping Near Adona, Arkansas

We visited here summer 2013 on the way back from our trip out west.  Loop A is on the lake. Our spot was level and a pull thru right by the water.  We were only there 1 night but got to see a beautiful sunset in the lake with birds flying over head. I don't remember many other things except we were close to Ranger Station/ store with lots of local carvings,  etc.. we drove around to several key areas of the park and hiked a little around boulders in very shaded paths. 

Peaceful and relaxing 

Petit Jean is beautiful. Cedar falls is a truly amazing waterfall, but is crawling with people. Hiking the Cedar Falls Trail is almost crowded. It is near impossible to snap a picture without someone else being in it. All that being said, Petit Jean is still very pretty.

Magnificent... but crowded

If you are looking to see some really nice waterfalls, then this is the place to go. Not only is the nature something to see but the old structures are very interesting!

Waterfalls

My family and I loved petit jean. We got to stay in a beautiful cabin for 3 days. The staff was excellent. We went hiking saw water falls and went to the pool.

Petit jean

Great place for hiking and taking in nice variety of views at Arkansas's first state park.  Cabins can be rented, RV & tent camping sites available.  Modern bath houses with showers and toilets were clean.  Cedar Creek flows through this park and Cedar Falls is impressive.  We were there in late March and the creek was flowing good after recent rains.  But it can be only a trickle during dry periods.  Enjoyed the trail along the creek.  Another nice view was from a point looking down over the Arkansas River and valley below.

Petit Jean State Park - Arkansas

This is very similar to a vacation resort. There are over 100 campsites that are reservable. You can also rent a yurt for $55 a night if you're interested in that! There are tennis courts, a swimming pool, picnic areas, and basically everything you've ever dreamed of finding in a campground. All sorts of facilities are available from showers to flush toilets. This definitely takes the labor out of camping and turns it more into a luxury. If you're interested in "roughing it" for a few days, you may want to try some backcountry camping elsewhere. If you want to take a few days off from the camping grind, this may be the ideal location for you.

Basically a resort with tents and RVs

Petit Jean is a wonderful campground that has a lot of areas to hike. The sites are spaced out and are level.  Whether you have a camper or a tent the sites are well shaded.  They have hikes that range from 1/2 a mile to 12 miles.  It can get hot in the summer and the pool is clean.  Excellent place for families.

Wonderful Place

I've been coming to Petit Jean since I was a little girl. I used to go to the Lutheran Camp on the top, and fell in love with the mountain. Since then, I've had geology lessons, and made my way to the campgrounds. Cedar Falls hike is a classic, and well worth the time. The lodge is amazing, especially the breakfast after a good morning hike. Really, nothing negative to say about it. Easy to gather your own wood for a fire, and bundle up for the night on top of the mountain!

Petit Jean, 19 years of memories

If in Arkansas, Petit Jean State Park is a must.  With a ton of trails, lodge, restaurant, and waterfalls it is a nature lovers dream.

Go Spring or Fall for the View

The campsites were nice and the park is beautiful.  In the morning we had breakfast in the lodge and had the chance to watch a storm come in through the canyon.  It was incredible.  

Beautiful Park

Petit Jean is a beautiful park overlooking the Arkansas River Valley. Several different campgrounds offer diverse camping experiences. There are several hiking trails including the iconic Cedar Falls Trail; this strenuous but trail winds down into Cedar Creek Canyon to one of the tallest flowing waterfalls in the state, a photographer's dream!

The park has great amenities including a beautiful lodge with a nice restaurant and swimming pool. It can get pretty crowded on weekends and holidays but non-peak times offer plenty of space to stretch out. If you're up for rustic backwoods camping then you might want to keep looking, but the diverse amenities offer a great experience to families looking for a fun trip.

Wide open campground with great amenities

bathrooms were nice, far from campsite. area was clean and very easy access. 

april 2017

This park has it all!  The campground is spaced for privacy and has plenty of trees to hang a hammock.  The sites are level and have a fire pit nestled in the pines.  THe real selling point to this park is the hiking,  I highly recommend the boy scout trail as it leads to all the great features of the park.  THe staff was friendly and helpful.  I highly recommend making reservations as it fills up fast.

Simply Amazing

We went over spring break! The weather was great and the park was busy! With all of those people they kept on top of making sure the park was clean. They had lots of activities to do as well.

Clean campsites

I stayed here in April in a class C motorhome and the sites by the lake are great. Long enough for a larger motorhome than I had that was 30 feet. A pulling vehicle or a fifth wheel would be good here because there is no stores or businesses close to the campgrounds. The park is great and the sites have everything there, picnic tables, firepits and full RV hookups. The shower house and restrooms are clean and the trails are well maintained. The hiking is fantastic and if you have lots of money a meal in the Lodge I hear is very good.

Great RV sites and Hiking Trails

Had a great time on Petti Jean , One of the three Amigo's work's up there and we spend time with her for a week . Our camp site was next to a little stream and we put out our yard pets by the stream and we had people stopping to talk about them and the kids loved them . One was George the frog and the other was Henryetta the hippo !

Three Amigo's week !

Beautiful and spacious tent spots. Orginally had a online reservation but the park double booked my spot. The workers worked really hard and found us a great replacement spot! 

A rough beginning, but turned out amazing! 

Absolutley gorgeous campsites. Clean bathrooms. Dog friendly. Amazing views. Lots of hiking trails. You'd be missing out if you didn't take some time to enjoy this campground and all it has to offer.

Hiking trails and dog friendly! A must go to!

Petit Jean is a beautiful state park! The campground is very well maintained and has very clean bathhouses. The campground is split into two main sections. Section A is on the lake-side of the main road. It is full hook-up with very level sites, and there are several water front sites that book up pretty quickly. Directly across the main road is section B. This section has water and electric. Most of these sites are level enough, and include tent pads. Some of the sites weren’t laid out well, and have the water and electric on the wrong side or very far away. Definitely bring extensions for your utilities. There are two other sections attached to B that open up during the busy seasons. These areas are pretty tight to get into, and very few are level. I’ve seen some people with their rigs lifted over a foot on one side! As far as things to do, there are TONS of beautiful trails and things to see! The Mather lodge serves great food with a view that you won’t forget. A walk down from the lodge leads to the bottom of a gorgeous waterfall, although the amount of water definitely depends on the season. Rangers are very nice, and offer fun things like owl hunts and other educational tours. This is one of our favorite places to take the family! And don’t forget to check out Petit Jean’s grace site for some incredible sunrise views!

You need to camp here!

this campground is great! Also pretty large. Sections are slightly spread out but bathrooms are easily accessible. Weekends book up fast and try to get close to the visitors center for the best spots.

Inaugural annual camping trip

This campground provides something for everyone. It has short to long hiking trails, views, waterfalls, lodging, yurts, plenty of camping spaces and the ability to do as much or as little as you would like. We stay in C or D usually as A is for campers and C and D appear to provide a little more space. Sites 112 and 111 were our favorite due to it being closer to the bath house and more space in the camp spot. The bathhouse is standard and doesn't have any remember-able feature. It does include a fairly clean shower and the rangers did come by and clean up every day we were there. I would recommend the boy scout trail if you are interested in fairly long hikes. It takes you all over the park and never has a dull part (other than about a mile of road walking but that is still pleasant as the road is a decommissioned gravel road). If you just want a short hike, I would recommend the Davies Bridge to the Rock House Cave. Not terrible elevation and a pleasant river hike to the cave. The bonus at the Rock house Cave is going on top of it and checking out the "turtle shells" on top!

Large park that is fun for everyone

We are scheduled to camp here for my husband's birthday this year in August. We stayed at Mather Lodge for an extended weekend and loved it here. This is the second time we stayed at Mather Lodge. It is very homey feeling. The beds are not that comfortable but I have seen worse. The rooms are clean and have heat/air. The rooms are clean and inviting. The cafe at Mather Lodge has beautiful views. The food is good and very large portions. One meal will feed 2-3 people! Unless you are a very big eater! I am attaching pictures from the Mather Lodge and the Campground area A. I would recommend this park and can't wait to return in August!

Favorite Campsites

Great hiking trails and signage. All campgrounds are easy access to the lake. Beautiful scenery

Sooo GORGEOUS!  The scenery is unbelievable.  The campgrounds are CLEAN

Great camping and beautiful views! Stayed in the C loop and had a pretty wooded campsite with enough separation from neighbors. Each site has water, grill, and fire ring. The only downside is the amount of ticks we pulled off the pups after hiking mid-May. Definitely bring bug spray and use tick protection on your pups.

beautiful

Camp sites &amp; bath house were very clean! Alot of Beautiful scenery, waterfall and nice trails. We only got to camp here 1 night on our way to Kentucky and absolutely Loved it! We had a visit from a raccoon who loved marshmallows lol! We can't wait to go back!

Beautiful park! Well maintained and all the staff were very friendly!

We camped in loop C 66 &amp; it was a perfect little spot at the end of the road. It was close to the bathrooms which were nice &amp; clean! It was hard to find places to hang hammocks, but the tent location was perfectly flat &amp; smooth. 
The park itself was a gem. Seven Hollows trail was beautiful, but the Cedar Falls trail was breathtaking. The waterfall at the end &amp; the pool into which it drops is an incredible sight &amp; also very refreshing after a long hike. That’s a hike you don’t want to miss! The Cedar Creek trail was also worth visiting. 10/10 would recommend Petit Jean State Park! 

Fun, Beautiful, & Family-Friendly

_You have to love Petit Jean; its namesake was a badass and it's one of the best destinations in the state._ There are several viewpoints/vistas that you can access from roads (just two close together that involve some driving on gravel). Get a State Park brochure at the Visitor Center, because you should not skip any of these lookouts. There's also great hiking, waterfalls, "turtle rocks", caves, and a lake. As far as camping, on the lake side of the main road is an out-in-the-open loop for large RVs with full hookups. On the other side of the road are the shadier, friendlier loops (three loops) with partial-hookups (electric and water); campsites that are also nice for tent or hammock camping. The bathhouses are not new or state of the art, but they're fine and are cleaned regularly. The sinks have soap but not paper towels, so bring a bandana at least. Best recommendation for picking a site is to stay away from the roads - you don't want to listen to cars and trucks going by. B and C loops give convenient access to the bike path, which leads to: Visitor Center, swimming pool (call for summer hours), hiking trails, and finally Mather Lodge. Bring your bicycle so you can keep your car parked and still get around easily. Down and across the road you can get to a playground, as well as a boat house for canoe and paddle boat rentals. My family's favorite activity is riding our bikes from the campsite to the restaurant at the lodge for dinner (the lodge now serves a few cocktails and the Old Fashioned Bourbon is recommended). If you've read this far, I'll tell you the best bang-for-your-buck hike, my personal favorite: Bear Cave Trail - a few steps from your car you're walking among (or climbing upon, if you are brave) giants' rocks.

So much to do

Two separate areas. one really wooded and the other open with a few trees.  Services available and restrooms and showers available. Restuarant and cabins available. Car museum near. Hiking trails rated easy to difficult. Great overlooks. 

Enjoyable RV State Park 

Arkansas’ first and most popular state park. Lake with rental boats, trailer and tent site loops, lodge/hotel/cabins. Outstanding natural features, some of which are easily accessible. Very popular in the fall. Big waterfall with rugged trail to the bottom. Can’t see it all in a weekend!

One for the bucket list!

This is a great campground back in the trees. It was raining and we didn't get that wet due to the tree coverage. The Cedar Falls hike is beautiful and a quick fun adventure. I recommend going to the Petit Jean Grave. The view is vast!

Great hammock trees!

This was our first time at Petit Jean and definitely won’t be the last! My 1st suggestion: RESERVE EARLY to get a spot in Loop A or Loop B. We stayed in Loop C and I felt a little too secluded. The sites in C &amp; D appeared to be a little smaller. I noticed several sites in B &amp; C were uneven from roots pushing the asphalt up. Beware! Loop A is full hookup while B-D have electricity &amp; water only. We stayed on Site 64 in a pop up style camper. It was fairly level and there were a couple good places for tents. Everyone around us was tent camping. My main complaint was the bathroom. The showers are not very private other than a nasty mildewed shower curtain, but there is no where to dry off or dress that is private. The showers were nasty on the weekend that we went, but it was also a revolving door of a massive group of 30+ tent campers that was using the showers. They were a lot cleaner on Sunday thankfully. The park itself is absolutely breathtaking! We went to the Cedar Falls Overlook, Palisades Overlook and Stout Point Overlook. We also made the hike down to Cedar Falls. It was absolutely incredible, but you should be somewhat in decent shape for this hike as it was not easy! We also hiked Bear Cave. It was nice with lots of exploring around the cave. We ate dinner at Mather Lodge one night. I had the Catfish Platter and it was excellent. I’m already ready to plan another trip here during the summer so we can utilize the boat house and a few other amenities that are closed during the off season. Well worth a fall visit though!

So much to do! 

Cool swamp trails to hike. Not a lot of wildlife in the winter 

Day trip 

Great getaway! Hours of hiking with the whole family. Beautiful scenes. Splurged on a cabin and worth it! Lodge restaurant was good with nice lodge pool. The views off the lodge are stunning. Worth our drive from TX. We will tent next time!

Awesome park! Beautiful hikes and facilities 

We love camping here. It's a beautiful park and you won't get bored. There are walking paths, bike trails, hiking trails. The lodge is great, with gifts, a restaurant, and a beautiful overlook. They have an overflow lot in case you're unable to get a reserved spot.

This park has it all!

We camped in section C site 61\. Great location, pretty view, close to bathhouse. Great hiking, fishing and views. Bathrooms are clean. We would highly recommend this park.

Nice park with lots to do!

Very nice place. Friendly people. Good amount of space between campers. We were on Loop A number 16, so we faced a yurt and the lake. BEAUTIFUL hiking area!!!

Very beautiful and peaceful 

We stayed at Petit Jean State Park for the first time over Easter weekend. Even though the park was booked to capacity, it is so well laid out that it was really nice to be there.. The first night we were in loop we were in loop D. Unfortunately, the space was too small for our fifth wheel. So when I spoke to the visitor Center in the morning, they were able to put us in the highly desirable loop A. We ended up in site #30\. It had a beautiful view of the lake. It's was also a plus to have full hookups including 50 amp service and sewer. So unusual for a state park.

The during the days before we arrived, the area was hit by torrential rains. The weather cleared and I hiked down to the Cedar Falls trail to see the falls. The video is of the roaring falls. There is not typically so much flow. We were lucky!

We spent most of our days hiking the many trails the park is known for. It was at peak Dogwood season, so the understory of the Forest was beautiful!

We will definitely camp there again!

Fantastic State Park Campground

Cleanest park I ve ever see! From the loop A, great view to the lake. A lot of hiking around

Really clean!

We took our little camper out to Petit Jean for the first time and it was a blast. We were a little unprepared, so we stayed in the overflow area. This part is not paved and has no fire pit, so we couldn't have a fire. If you have a portable fire pit you can have a fire there. Also those spots do not have a grill, but we have a small one that we were able to use. The driveways to get to the overflow area are a bit rough (roots sticking up through the dirt) and it takes a bit to get level (sloped toward the lake). However, the dump station is very clean and convenient. We will definitely come back to Petit Jean in the future. 

Last minute fun

Our first time in Petit Jean State Park and hopefully not our last! The area is so beautiful and the park is clean. We stayed in one of the yurts. The kids enjoyed the geese right outside the door and at night, the deer came out only feet from the yurt.  The yurt itself is was as expected. Only beds inside with one table, 4 chairs and a fan. It does have electricity inside but no water.  Outside is a nice deck, propane stove, water faucet, fire ring, picnic table and bbq pit.  It also has a canoe available for use with each yurt. The boathouse was not too far away and well maintained. 
There is a very nice pool on the grounds also. We really enjoyed the hiking trails. 

Beautiful area

Good spots full hookups, clean bathrooms and shower, hot water. Quiet surroundings, lots to see and explore, hiking galore from easy to experience hikers..has access to cool pool local stores for supplies and occasional events... 

Skoolie camping 

We stayed in the yurts one time and it was nice but hot. Bring FANS. The yurt came with a canoe and life jackets. We loved that stay. My favorite stay is at the tent sites. We have stayed so many times. Several areas to hike with young children. Swimming pool available at a good price. The kids love the near by petting zoo. Lake available for fishing and boat rentals. Wonderful views all around one of my favorite spots.

Awesome camping 

I had an absolute blast while at Petit Jean State Park. I stayed at the Mather lodge and in one of the cabins both of which I loved staying in. The trails through out the park are all great hikes, even the less prominent paths are nice to explore. The hike down to Cedar Falls is absolutely fantastic and more than worth the trek. My favorite part of the park hands down has to be the multiple look out points you can find around the mountain. The views you can find along red bluff drive and at the gravesite are breathtaking. Petit Jean State park is fantastic and I can’t wait to go back.

Absolutely Sublime 

My husband and I tent camped here in November. Pretty cold at night but the weather was perfect for the hikes which were absolutely stunning. We had a delicious breakfast with a view at the lodge. 10 out of 10 would recommend!

Wonderful time

I tent camped at site 61 in 2015:

*   We were pretty close to all the amenities and the campsite checkin/store
*   There is a nice, flat tent pad
*   Grill and fire ring were nice
*   Paved driveup spot
*   It wasn't very crowded; the two sites across from us filled up, but that was about it

I would 100% stay at this site again.

Clean, flat, and beautiful tent camping at campsite 61

We had a great time camping at petit jean! We went on a few of the easier hikes but they were so great with such cool sights to see like turtle rocks, Indian rock cave, carpet rocks &amp; bear cave.

So many cool rocks!

I was so excited to stay here based on this being voted as one of the best state parks in this region. The reviews were spot on about the hiking and other amenities. This park is charming right down to its CCC roots. During my stay the new park visitor’s center was being built and it looks to be a lovely addition. 

What I was surprised to discover was my disappointing campground experience. I picked my campsite early and carefully and was hoping to have a quieter experience since I decided to avoid the swankier lakeside full hook up sites. I was wrong. Unfortunately, the park allowed a group of tent campers to camp in sites that were not in the group campground. There were 4 tents per site, some of which were camped on the ground right near the restrooms. 2 campers per tent x 4 per site x at least 6 sites. Well I’ll spare you the math, but Campground D literally turned into a church camp complete with air horns blasting to alert the camper kiddos that it was time to eat, shower, wake up etc.  Nothing against church camps. Just saying Campground D is not a group campsite! Thankfully, I spent most of my time hiking and biking. So I was away from the campground a majority of my stay. 

Site 98 was located adjacent to public property and backed up to the gravel road that serviced the neighborhood. There was a street light that illuminated the road and this didn’t add to the ambiance. All said, the campground didn’t really afford the experience I was hoping for. However, the hiking trails did not disappoint! As many previous reviewers have mentioned, hiking here is awesome. I definitely recommend the Bear Cave trail and the Cedar Falls trail.

Grabbing a bite at the Lodge is recommended too. The food was good and the view was outstanding! 

I’d go back, but I would choose Campground A, pay more and stay right on the lake. The sites are nicely spaced and I think the cost of full hook ups might deter a large group of tent campers from overtaking the campground. Again, nothing against tent campers or church camps. I just thought this is why parks have group campgrounds. I’d prefer not to repeat the group tent camping situation and air horns I ran into on my visit to campground D.

An Arkansas jewel!

We stayed at Petit Jean State Park during the week of Thanksgiving. It’s a popular place, so very busy, but all the campers around us were very courteous, friendly, and obeyed quiet time rules. The sites (we were in a tent in Loop C) were spacious and clean, as were the bathhouses. The Visitor’s Center/Registration was well-stocked and staff was efficient and welcoming. We ate dinner at Mather’s Lodge-the food was mediocre but service was great.

Beautiful and Clean

Beautiful scenic mountains, valleys and lakes. Trails for hiking and watching wildlife.  Turtle rocks are worth viewing along with the cave. All ages can hike and walk to scenic areas in this park. Driving around is easy and convenient to the sites you will want to visit.
 Easy to check in and find camping spots. Very quiet while camping. Great sounds of nature to listen to.  Bathhouse with shower. Swimming pool and playground. Perfect for families, couples or singles. 
We will camp here again because of the peaceful tranquility of this beautiful park.

Scenic and perfect for all ages

Petit Jean is the oldest state park in Arkansas and it has it all. Our family makes a trip to Petit Jean at least twice a year. So many trails, recreational areas and breathtaking views to enjoy. It is one of the best FAMILY state parks we’ve been too.

The sites in A and B loop are often booked a year in advance so plan your trips strategically. C and D loop are accommodating but will be a tighter fit for most rigs &gt;30’. 

The visitor’s center is being completely redone to enhance the experience. If you haven’t been, make the trip.

Quick info on alcohol. Petit Jean is in a dry county (yes that exists). If you aren’t bringing your own alcohol, make sure and stop at Petit Jean Liquor right off I-40.

Ageless wonder

My Favorite Place!! So much to do!! Love staying in the yurts!! Lots of trails to hike!! Extremely affordable!! Breath taking views!! 

So much to do!! 

As the oldest State Park in The Natural State, in my opinion, Petit Jean sets the standard to which other parks should aspire.  We frequently visit Petit Jean every year (2-3 times) and often joke that it serves as “home base” for our camping adventures.  It’s just that good.  If we’re unsure about where to head next, we always fall back on Petit Jean.  By analogy, I view Petit Jean like a PB&amp;J or a grilled cheese.  Both are solid options every time, and you can’t go wrong with either.  The same is true of Petit Jean.  The campgrounds are generally clean and well kept.  I also really like the spacing of the sites, as sometimes the sites in state parks make you feel like you’re right on top of your neighbor.  Loop A is typically filled with larger campers, as those sites have sewer, and those sites are generally much larger than other areas.  Since we have a PUP, I personally prefer Loops B or C.  I have camped in D but it is the oldest camping area in the park and it shows.  The bathhouse in that area isn’t as nice.  Conversely, the bathhouses in Loops B and C are great.  Even if the only site available is in D, I’d say it’s still absolutely worth going.  The bathhouses are nice and clean, the amenities are numerous, and the scenery is unbelievable.  The trails are fantastic, playground is great, and the food at the Lodge is phenomenal.  We make it a point to eat in the Lodge at least one night of any trip.  However, I would add, there is also a breakfast buffet in the mornings that’s a can’t miss for the price and convenience.  Essentially, it is unequivocally the perfect park for a family with kids.  However, it’s also perfect for anyone who may think they may want to go camping.  In fact, even the most experienced camper would love this park and what it offers.  It’s an absolute can’t miss and anyone debating whether they should go should pull the trigger immediately!  (**NOTE**:  I would note that you should be aware of a HUGE car show that occurs in the park every Fathers Day weekend.  It is absolutely packed and unbelievably loud with old cars and motorcycles.  If you go on Fathers Day weekend, do not expect any peace and tranquility whatsoever - you won’t find it.). 

The Standard 

Loved the hiking in the area! Campsites are nice and convenient to trails. Store and restaurant is also located on site.

Great Trails

We made it back to Petit Jean State Park for a pre-fathers day weekend. The park was opening back up slowly with COVID-19 closing many of the facilities, but it was almost back to “normal”. We stayed in B loop and grabbed an extra night in A loop on this trip.

B loop pros:
-plenty of shade in hot months with the pine grove
-easy access to the paved CCC trail
-30/50 amp service, water, picnic table, fire ring and trash hook
-clean and accommodating bath house
-enough space between sites for plenty of privacy 

B loop cons:
-some sites are angled differently and there is no clear indication how you have to enter the loop to be able to access your site. It can create some frustration when trying to get set up 
-many sites are unlevel and require significant leveling chocks to get it truly level
-some sites have water and the picnic table on the opposite sides of the camper. it’s purely inconvenient and I’m not sure why this is this way. pay attention when you book your site to campsite photos
-NO SEWER. (EXCEPT FOR SITES 47 &amp; 48)

A Loop pros:
-it’s new, it’s laid out ideally, full hook up sites with sewer, and plenty of gravel and concrete to keep from dealing with too much dirt, mud, sand (we’ve got 2 small kids and a little dirt is great, but a lot of dirt makes for a lot of cleaning).
-pull through sites and site facing the lake
-much quieter and plenty of space between sites for privacy

A loop cons:
-very little shade. would be rough in summer months without shade tents, awnings, etc
-“Stays booked 93% of the year” -Park Office. It’s really hard to get a reservation if you don’t book at least a year out in A loop. 

Petit Jean is a must for family camping. Mather Lodge has an accommodating restaurant if needed. Plenty of trails for hiking. Pool, basketball and tennis courts. Marina with boats and kayaks. It is a wonderful park and a must for all campers! Book your trip!


5 days up on Little John

This was one of those "wow! who'd-a-thunk-it?" sorts of parks. Stumbled on it en route to another park a few years ago and ended up coming back because it's so great. It's a classic Civilian Conservation Corps park. Lots of trails along the creeks with some choice swimming holes when the water is high enough.

  

My favorite part is the tall pines. Lots of them!! They provide the best of both worlds -- a big, shaded canopy with privacy between well-spaced campsites along with a generally "open" feel.

  

Sites in the "A" area near the water are pretty much all pull-thru sites with less privacy. The area across the road from here ("B", if I remember) has more tree cover and more privacy.

  

We stayed in D loop and it was great. Sites are smaller, but it was generally quieter with fewer people.

  

What else?

\--Hike the trails

\--Enjoy the cool, classic signs

\--Buy a cute stuffed animal at the camp store

\--And did I mention the tall, skinny pine trees???!!!

A classic! The amazing carved CCC signs deserve 5-stars on their own!

Camp sites are very spacious and well kept. There is plenty of distance between you and neighboring sites. Trails are great and so are all the buildings. Bath/showers are clean.

Space for days

This is a great park. There are several hiking trails of varying length and difficulty,  interesting rock formations, beautiful overlooks that you can drive or hike to, a classic CCC lodge building with a restaurant,  swimming pools, basketball courts, fishing, and more!

The campsites are layed out in A,B,C, or D loops. A has the full hook-up sites for RVs and is close to lake. These sites are pretty modern, flat, and very nice. It is more open then the other loops, but still plenty of space between campsites. The B,C, and D loops are not as refined, but do have more shade, electric and water hookups. Many of the pads are extremely uneven though, so be sure you have blocks, etc. to use for leveling your camper. Big tent pads at most sites if you are tent camping. 

We were there on August 27-30th, and the A loop was full, but there were not too many people in the other campgrounds. We stayed in D and there was only one other camper there!  

Would highly recommend this park for any type of camping. If you are bringing kids there is lots to do, if you are just looking for a quiet getaway it is great for that as well. Also, don't miss the fudge at the Outpost just east of the park! 

Beautiful Setting and lots to do!

great park plenty to do definitely do the trail to the grotto a must see

love it

Everytime we are here we get amazed by the place! There is no place like Petit Jean!

This place is AMAZING!

Petit Jean state park blew my mind! Had lunch at the Mather lodge with the amazing view. Due to Covid tables were space apart which entails a waiting list but wasn’t a long wait. Food was delicious after hiking. Campgrounds were super nice and clean with I believe over 100 camping spots. Gift shop was decent with plenty to choose from. Definitely returning in 2021. Bear cave and the Tortoises being my favorite on the trails. 


Fall foliage superb 

This seems like a perfect spot for a family! Right on the lake, lots of activities to do and trails for hiking. Dog friendly. Easy enough to access with our 30 ft RV. Very level site (loop A site 4) with full hookups. Friendly folks too! 
I’m giving this 4 stars because as a couple without kids we prefer to be a bit farther out in nature and more separated from our neighbors, but there was enough space and privacy at this park. 
I couldn’t make a day-of reservation online so I called and they said we could just show up and pick a spot (it was a Monday night). Make sure you put the visitor center in on Google maps and stop there first to check in. They’ll let you know which sites are open. 

Perfect for family fun 

We managed to snag a spot in loop A for a last minute trip and this place was amazing. It was our first trip to Petit Jean and it did not disappoint. We have already booked our trip back for next summer. 

Our two kids, 2 &amp; 5 years old, really liked Turtle Rock Trail and the cave we ended up visiting it both days we were there. We also drove to the overlooks and wow the views were amazing! 

Great Family Fun

We had a blast hiking to waterfalls and caves. Campsites are shaded and nice. Quiet park that enforces the quiet time rule after 9:00.

Great trails 

This place is right on top with beautiful vistas. Campground is nice and clean. Trail to the falls was closed due to storm damage but the caves were cool. People have been here for a very long time! Rich in history 

Top of the Mountain

This is definitely one of our premier parks in Arkansas, especially if you have a family and need outdoor activities. We stayed in the D loop. The spot was almost a little tight for our 32 foot camper. It was hard to level as many of the other reviews said. It is a nice little loop though with the trees and shade. In fact there are enough trees that it was very easy to hang up hammocks! There were lots of tent campers on this loop and small to medium size campers. You will probably want to drive to the trail heads for hiking. If you’ve never been to Petit Jean, there are tons of attractions! 

Premier AR State Park

Petit Jean State Park is an excellent short weekend get away or a day trip! It offers 8 hiking trails and one biking trail. The Cedar Fall Trail is not to be missed with glorious waterfall and best visit right after a rainy day. Spring and summer is popular camping season so reserve ahead of time.  If you enjoy the scenic route then it’s about an hour drive to Ouachita National Forest Park 

A quick getaway weekend at Petit Jean State Park

Well run and well kept. The state has spent a healthy amount into the buildings, grounds and maintenance. All of that complements a gorgeous natural setting.

It has a variety of hikes and plenty of other activities. 

The Mather Cafe at the Lodge had decent food at okay prices - and a phenomenal view.

It’s worth the effort to see the Cedar Falls from both sides of the creek. 

There is a nice coffee shop just outside the park’s east entrance.

Lots of varied camping spots - all seemed to be nicely wooded. 

Our only negative point was a loud group of neighbors a few spots down. I think they were the only other ones in Camp D, but they made enough noise to make up for the empty spots.

At one point, judging by the whomping sound, they must have been playing a game that involved throwing a wet 5 pound sack of corn against a plywood wall...maybe some version of corn hole or something? I actually have no idea what it really was - but it was loud and repetitive. Louder than the barking dogs, screaming kids and music they played. 

Not the parks fault and that is just part of camping - lots of great neighbors and sometimes inconsiderate ones. 

First Class State Park

We tent camped Loop C, site 74.  The wooded site backed up on a creek that you can faintly hear at night.  There was a large hill between us and the site on the right so they were not visible.  The site on the left wasn’t super close and there were many trees between the two. There is a site directly across but 74 is set fairly far back from road and again, wooded. The restrooms were just round the bend and well maintained. It was not super crowded the week we were there but it was mid March.  Highly recommend this site. Quiet hours were respected. 
Wood and ice were available at The Visitor’s Center at $6.00 a bundle and $3.00 a bag.  However, when we were there, the visitor’s center closed at 5.  There is a very limited gift shop that has a few camping supplies. The nearest other store is at least 15/20 minutes away. Many of the locals also sell bundles of wood on the way into the park. 
There were tons of things to do in the park. We just did the smaller hikes to Bear Cave and Rock House Cave. They say easy but only the 13 year old thought so, lol. Cedar Creek waterfall was very impressive!  So many overlooks.  
Drive Red Bluff drive for some impressive views!  Speaking of great views, Petit Jean’s supposed grave offers an unbelievable view that I’m guessing is close to 275 degrees around. A must see for sure!


We had a great time!

**General:** This popular state park offers many activities, although we did not partake in many of them, mostly because we were camping in the “shoulder” season. We arrived after the visitor center/office was closed but were able to find our site in the C Loop without too much difficulty. Garbage and recycling bins were located throughout the park; I appreciate the recycling effort all Arkansas state parks we have visited have.

  

**Sites/Facilities:** Our site was located on a “cul-de-sac” in Loop C and not too far from the bathroom. Each site in this loop had an electric hookup, a lantern hook, and picnic table. The sites in this loop were all very wooded which provided a decent amount of privacy between sites. It should be noted that some of the sites in the C loop (73-76?) were not level – we noticed this as we were leaving. The sites in the A loop are full hookup and directly on Lake Bailey and are more open (fewer trees). Site 16 is a large pull-through. It did appear that there was a fair amount of algae in the water. We did not explore the other loops. There is also an overflow camping area which I imagine would be full in the summer. 

  

**Bathhouse:** The bathhouse was very clean and had soap dispensers, but you should bring your own towel. I didn’t use the shower so cannot comment on this, however, the changing area was in the open and not very private. 

  

**Activities/Amenities:** There are many activities you can enjoy at this state park (most in season): swimming, tennis, basketball, a paved multi-use trail, hiking, plus a playground (not near the campground loops but you could access it via the paved trail). However, our main reason for staying here was to see Cedar Falls but that was not to be. The hiking trail was closed due to storm damage and very little rain meant you could not see the trickle the famed falls had become from the viewing platform. We did enjoy the short hike past the unique turtle rocks en-route to Rock House Cave. 

  

**Conclusion:** Since we arrived after the office closed, we had to check-in before 10 am the next morning. The staff was not the friendliest, insisting we might have an outstanding balance (we reserved online so this should not have been the case) and not very helpful in describing open hiking trails.

Very popular state park with lots to do

Beautiful park with lots of space between spots and large green belt areas to enjoy. The hiking trails were fun and challenging with not many people and we hiked with our dogs. We stayed in a pull through site in Loop A, Spot 29 with full hookups. It had plenty of room for trailer and truck parking and was pretty level. There was no wifi or cell service for T-Mobile. We rode our bikes to the Visitor Center to access wifi and were able to get cell service at the Mather Lodge overlook. There is a really nice walking / bike trail from the campgrounds to the Mather Lodge. The park is well maintained with clean bathrooms and showers. Trash bins were located throughout the camping area. We will visit here again.

Beautiful Park with great hiking trails

Incredibly well-maintained park! Wonderful hiking for all abilities - great for multigenerational groups. Incredible scenery can be seen without having to be a great hiker. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. We tent so stayed in campground D - more trees and privacy. 

Our first time in Arkansas will be tough to beat!

Immaculate, level sites with extra pad, clean facilities! Biking, hiking trails! Beautiful lodge! Other amenities we didn’t use, pool, tennis courts etc! Want to come back longer!!


Perfection

Petit Jean (pronounced “petty Gene”) is an incredible state park in a truly unique setting. Petit Jean Mountain rises straight out of the flat Arkansas Delta and is actually referred to as a “mesa” like those in the American West. The rock formations and unusual geology combined with the cool history makes the area very enjoyable and interesting. The campground is divided by Highway 154 but it’s not a heavily traveled route - in fact only park visitors are allowed after 10pm. We stayed in Area D, an older style campground with water and electric. We had a very difficult time getting set up even though the site is a “pull-through” - it just isn’t designed for today’s RV’s and travel trailers. There is a FHU area - Area A - but we were told reservations are more than a year out. We still enjoyed our time and loved the area! Take some time to go to Morrilton, the closest town with stores, coffe shops, etc. It’s a town on the rebound and we really enjoyed it. Probably the only spot for groceries within 25 miles of Petit Jean. 

A surprise at every turn

Petit Jean is one of the most beautiful camping spots I’ve found in this area. I highly recommend!

Beautiful

Quite beautiful park and a nice campground. Spaces can be close together, but comfortable. The park just kept yielding pleasant surprises. Be sure to hit the point overlook to the east of the park entrance. Great sunset spot.

Pleasanty surprised

Love this place because there are so many types of camp sites available. Great areas to look around and hike. Restaurant is pretty decent and breakfast was hot and delicious. There’s a little petting zoo thing close by for kids. Playground was great. 

All kinds of camping options 

Beautiful grounds, great hikes nearby of various lengths. The Rock House Cave hike was worth seeing- has been visited by humans for thousands of years! Cute coffee shop and gift shop nearby. 

A great little jem

10/10 would recommend to anyone who loves the outdoors!! Absolutely loved the place and the campsites were clean and very well maintained!! 

AMAZING! BEAUTIFUL! BREATHTAKING! 

We evacuated from the Gulf Coast areas due to Hurricane Ida. We found this parking site on the Dyrt’s app and wasn’t sure what to expect but saw that it had by far the best reviews, and so we took a chance. First, this is a wonderful park w many things to do! If one is hungry there is the Mather’s Lodge which is award winning and given the location an unexpected delight too! The sunset can best be seen next to the campground A at the pavilion. A nice little playground is there for toddlers and smaller children. If you go to the Rock House Cave it’s definitely worth the short little trek. If you have small ones under the age of 5, be prepared to carry them over the turtle rocks though. The Cedar Creek Overlook is a nice place to go as it is fully enclosed along the trail path with a nice decking at the overlook spot. The views from Mather’s Lodge are not to be missed! &amp; cellular/data service w AT&amp;at at least were superb! 



Unexpected Gem

I took my 3 sons, (ages 7,9 and 11).
All of them had a blast! There was plenty to explore and none of the trails were too tiring even for my 7 year old. The pictures don’t do this park justice. 

Great park for me and the boys!

The campground was wonderful. Clean bathhouse.  Hot showers.  The lake and streams were beautiful.  Waterfall.  Hiking.  History.  Our campsite was spacious and shaded by the tall pines.  

April in Arkansas

We very much enjoyed taking photos looking off the mountain. Missed the water to play in along the hiking trail due to an unseasonable drought but little caves were nice to explore. 

Beautiful Views & Hiking 

It is a small State Park, it has a nice fall that takes about an hour and a half to take the trail to the bottom. 

Summer Vacation 2022

We stayed for 3 nights and participated in multiple events that the staff conducted. It was a great time. Learned about hummingbirds, bears, petit jean history.

Great State Park

We stayed in site 26 and were pleased with the cleanliness, serenity, and size of the sites at the campground. Check in was easy. We were really pleased with the bike trail that went from the site to the visitors center. We hiked the trails, biked, walked, and simply had the best time. We did not use the restrooms/bathhouse. The gift store in the visitor center had cute items if you needed anything and the staff were courteous and friendly. We will definitely be back! 

Perfect!

This is an awesome campground with great bathrooms, all the items you need at the park and plenty of trails to explore. 

Amazing Amenities

This park is by far one of the most well taken care of parks I have ever visited. Accommodations for everyone. Tent camping, yurts, rv campground, cabins, the lodge rooms, if you can't find something that suits you its on you not the park. Lol. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Hiking trails for everyone. Waterfalls, caves, canoeing, fishing, and even have gift shops. So much to see and do here. Highly recommend.

Stunning!! Book your reservation now, you will be glad you did. 

Beautiful place to visit and camp. So much history of CCC camp in this area. Plenty of waterfalls and trails to find. 

Beautiful place 

What a beautiful park! Spacious level site. Clean bathhouse. Rangers were very helpful and knowledgeable about the park. Plenty of adventures to be had (Cedar Creek falls, Seven Hollows Trail, etc.). 

Petit Jean 

Stayed two nights here. Loved it. My one recommendation is that you bring a lot of water hose. I had 50’ and it wasn’t enough. The water was located way at the front of the site and I couldn’t access it. And it was impossible to get my site level. My neighbor had the same issues. 

This park is great. It had hiking trails and a CCC hike/bike trail, an antique automobile museum, lots of scenic overlooks, cabins, a lodge, an amazing visitor center and restaurant. I had the best time here. Lots of Civilians Conservation Corps architecture. They built the whole park with the exception of some of the newer cabins
. 

Amazing 

Super cool paths, views and community. Tons of historical value and it's obvious that Arkansas cares about it's forests, natural resources and outdoor communities. Tons of people everywhere no matter where you venture off to though. 

Busy but beautiful 

This is one of my favorite camping trips! The scenery will blow you away. The park has amazing overlooks for those of us that are not big hikers and some trails that are not too long. I recommend hiking sticks because even the shorter trails can be rocky but it is worth it! We drove to every overlook. There are shady areas to enjoy the view and have a snack/lunch. Each area was different so do not skip them! 

We did Rock Cave and Bear Cave Trails that stated the difficulty as "easy". Both trails had obstacles and were not a walk in the park. Take your time and watch your step. I used a walking stick and my partner for support at times. It was slow going in some areas and younger people zoomed right past us. That was okay! The Cedar Falls Overlook was a boardwalk and accessible for strollers/walkers but it was still a little ways to go.   

We camped in our pull behind camper in loop D. Our site was great except it was steeper than anticipated. Be aware of the site you book and come prepared with extra chocks, blocks and/or stabilizers. Our site was spacious and clean. The bathhouse was also clean and well maintained. We drove through the other loops for reference. Loop A looked good all the way around. Loop B looked new, as if all sites are full hookup with smooth, paved drives including a parking area. Loop C was very woody and wild compared to B! Its worth mentioning again...find campsite pictures online so you know what you are booking.

I highly recommend visiting this park! We have already a booked another stay for next spring.

Beautiful area and peaceful camping

PROS 

No reservation transaction fee 

Senior discount 

Quiet 

Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete pad, pedestal BBQ grill, fire ring with cooking grate, and one hook lantern pole 

Site 14 partially shady 

Good condition asphalt parking pad with gravel and grass surrounding 

Good view of lake from Site 14 

Sites well spaced 

Campground A toilet/shower building clean and sufficiently stocked. Heated but not air conditioned. 

Site 14 more than long enough for trailer and tow vehicle 

Dark sky friendly as there are no street lights in Campground A 

Very nice 6ft wide asphalt bike trail from Campground B to Mather Lodge

(approximately 1.75 miles) CCC Hike and Bike Trail 

New Visitor Center built 2021 

Beautiful CCC built Mather Lodge

(restaurant added in 2012) 

Grass throughout campground mowed 

Firewood sold in the yards of residences along State Road 154 

  

  

CONS 

Site 14 extremely unlevel side to side 

No privacy from other campsites 

No entrance security gate to the park or any campgrounds as State Road 154 cuts thru the park 

No park ranger drive thrus 

Mather Lodge Restaurant OK. Don't expect much from the menu or service but it has a full bar 

3 of our 4 day stay there was a religious group prophetlytizing at the Park Visitor Center WIFI only at Lodge and Visitors Center 

NO TMOBILE service

One of Arkansas' Finest

Gorgeous!! We enjoyed our stay. We had no service, but the lodge was so nice to be able to do homeschool and work. Everyone was super nice.

All by ourselves in the woods

Our campsite was perfect. It was near the lake with full hook ups. We had plenty of space and one side was woods. 

Great Campsite near the lake

I found everything to be absolutely amazing! Ive also wanted to visit pettit jean , and when i finally did it was so much more than i even imagined.  Beautiful, stunning, and can’t wait to visit again!!!! 

Love me some Pettit Jean!!   

Beautiful campground. Site was not level front to back but plenty of space. Even ate at the restaurant which was nice.

Great state park

Nice place to camp. Just no signal. Also a little expensive for me but others may not think so! 

Photos of Petit Jean State Park — Petit Jean State Park

Real photos from real campers