Arkansas Hiking Trails, Petit Jean State Park on Petit Jean Mountain

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Hiking trails are the perfect place to discover the natural side of Petit Jean State Park. Construction of the trails began in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This diverse system provides over 20 miles of interconnecting trails. Cedar Falls, Seven Hollows, and Cedar Creek Trails were designated as National Recreation Trails because of their rich history and scenic beauty. The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission designated much of the land our trails pass through as "Natural Areas" because of the old growth forest, rare plants, and diverse wildlife the area supports. The scenic beauty, plants, and animals that abound in the hiking areas of Petit Jean State Park create excellent recreational opportunities for you and your family.

Cedar Falls Trail
Length: 2 miles, 2 hours
Trailhead: Through Mather Lodge breezeway and to the left behind the swimming pool
Cedar Falls, Petit Jean Mountain's 95-foot waterfall, is accessed via a 2-mile hike. Trail Ends: backtrack to the starting point
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Trail Blaze: Orange
Description: The most popular hiking trail on Petit Jean descends into Cedar Creek Canyon. Only those in good shape should attempt this walk. The park staff recommends wearing shoes or boots that provide ankle support and a firm grip.

Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls
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The first ½ mile descends more than 200 feet down steps cut from rock by the Civilian Conservation Corps more than 60 years ago. The trail follows beautiful Cedar Creek another ½ mile to the climax of the hike, Cedar Falls, one of the state's most spectacular sights. Cedar Falls cascades more than 90 feet to the canyon floor. Cedar Creek Canyon was added to the register of Arkansas Natural Areas in 1977.

Seven Hollows Trail
Length: 4 ½ miles, 4 hours
To Natural Bridge - 1.3 miles
To Grotto - 2 ¼ miles
A hike along the Seven Hollows Trail atop Petit Jean Mountain provides access to the Natural Bridge, a gorgeous stone archway. Trailhead 1 mile west of Mather Lodge on Hwy 154
Trail Ends: trail loops back to beginning point
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Trail Blaze: Light Blue
Description: Seven Hollows Trail is one of great diversity contrasting the beauty of the lush moss and fern understory of hardwood forest, the sometimes immense rock formations created by centuries of erosion, and the starkness of the rock fields supporting near dessert-like conditions. Despite its name, Seven Hollows Trail passes through only four of the most interesting hollows. Carved by constant stream action, each hollow abounds in its own natural beauty. Allow plenty of time for this trail as there is much to see and experience. As you hike, notice the successional changes in the forest following the wildfire in August 2000.

Cedar Creek Trail
Length: 1 ¼ mile, 1 ½ hours
Trailhead: Pioneer Cabin, 1 mile west of the Visitor's Center on Highway 154
Hikers along the Cedar Creek Trail in Petit Jean State Park take time to enjoy the sites at the Leaning Rock. Trail Ends: Trail loops back to the beginning point
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: This trail winds along a scenic section of Cedar Creek above Cedar Falls. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930's, this trail's rock steps and bluffs create a few difficult steps. The rocky mountain stream, high bluffs, and thick vegetation make Cedar Creek Trail perfect for experiencing local bird and plant life.

Canyon Trail
Length: 1 mile (2 miles if backtracking to Cedar Falls Trail) 2 hours
Trailhead Cedar Falls Trail
Trail Ends: Junction with Boy Scout Trail in Blue Hole Area
Difficulty: Easy (section on Cedar Falls Trail is moderate to hard)
Trail Blaze: Yellow
Description: This trail was formerly part of the Boy Scout Trail. Once crossing the bridge on the Cedar Falls Trail, turn left (west) and begin this beautiful hike into Cedar Creek Canyon. Many small waterfalls provide scenic views along the Canyon Trail, at Petit Jean State Park. The trail follows Cedar Creek's many small splashing falls and deep emerald pools. Box car sized boulders have slid downhill and partially blocked the creek's path in many places. Many sections of the trail are on terraces of rock put in place by the CCC. Upon entering this section of the canyon, you will also pass huge sycamore and pine trees, which are very old. The Canyon trail joins the Boy Scout Trail near a long deep pool, named Blue Hole. From the trail end, you can backtrack to Cedar Falls Trail or loop back to Mather Lodge on the Boy Scout Trail (via Seven Hollows Trail and Bear Cave Trail)

Boy Scout Trail
The Davies Bridge, built by the CCC in the 1930's, is the first magnificent site on the BSA Trail. Length: 12 miles, 8 hours
Trailhead: Across from the Group Camp at the north end of the CCC stone bridge
Trail Ends: Trail loops back to the beginning point
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
Trail Blaze: White
Registration: If you plan to hike the entire trail, please sign in at the Visitor's Center.

Rock House Cave Trail
Length: ¼ mile, ½ hour
Trailhead 1 mile west on Red Bluff Drive
Hikers can access the largest bluff shelter atop Petit Jean Mountain, by hiking the Rock House Cave Trail. Trail Ends: Backtrack to the starting point
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Blaze: Purple
Description: Rock House Cave is not a true cave, but a large rock bluff shelter. Rock House contains evidence that Native Americans once lived on or near Petit Jean Mountain many years ago. Look closely for the faint remains of pictographs high on the wall and imagine what they mean - we may never know for sure. As you return to the parking lot, notice the large "turtle rocks" on whose backs you are walking.

Hikers to Petit Jean discover the forces of nature that shaped the monolith rocks at Bear Cave.

Bear Cave Trail
Length: ¼ mile, ½ hour
Trailhead 1 mile west of Mather Lodge on Hwy 154
Trail Ends: Trail loops back to the beginning
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Blaze: Light Pink
Description: Visitors to Bear Cave can walk under, around, and through these gigantic rocks. Although there is no true cave, the huge rocks form a number of rock shelters and narrow passageways. Bear Cave was named when the last bear killed on Petit Jean Mountain met its end in this area. The cathedral of rock running down the center of the trail loop is believed to have been cut by Cedar Creek long ago. This passageway is called "The Eye of the Needle." Wander through these fragile sandstone monoliths and imagine the tremendous forces of wind and water that caused what you see today.

Many varieties of wildflowers, such as the Spiderwort, are viewed while hiking atop Petit Jean Mountain. Our trails offer wonderful opportunities to study birds, plants, animals, fossils, geology, archeology, and many more natural subjects. You can help us protect the parkland that is yours. It is possible for the thousands of people that hike our trail to leave our natural areas just as they found them: a wilderness with a single path woven through it.