Forum Discussion

Redcatcher70's avatar
Redcatcher70
Explorer
Oct 07, 2019

Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas

Just spent a great weekend at this park with a group of families from Church. We started making this an annual event about ten years ago. We reserve a loop in the camping area and we usually fill ten or twelve sites every year. It is close enough to home so others can drive up for the day. Some (like us) rent a cabin or stay in the lodge. Great weather, lots of hiking, tons of food cooked every way you can think of, and fun and games at night. This park is open year round, and the lodge restaurant is open every day if you do not feel like cooking. This is one of the oldest parks in the State Park system, built mostly by the CCC. If you are ever in the Central Arkansas area on I-40, check it out.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Oct 07, 2019
    Agree it is a great park. Been about 3 yrs since we were there but wanting to go back.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Oct 07, 2019
    Did not camp but visited a couple of years ago and was impressed with the park. Fabulous views. But at little too many extraneous activities for us to want to camp there.
  • Redcatcher70's avatar
    Redcatcher70
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2019
    K Charles, Dardanelle is a very nice COE park, been there several times when we owned a TT. In fact, in all of our travels I can not remember a bad experience at any COE or Arkansas State Park. Every type of park offers its own unique qualities, finding each parks uniqueness is part of the adventure. Not all parks offer furnished handicap equipped cabins, which we now require, so Petit Jean fits our current needs....
  • Iraqvet05's avatar
    Iraqvet05
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2019
    We made the 7 hour drive to Petit Jean a few years ago and loved it. Beautiful area, nice hiking trails and a clean, well maintained CG made well worth the trip. On the other hand, we stayed at Devil's Den state park for 3 nights on the way back and I was very disappointed.
  • Walaby's avatar
    Walaby
    Explorer II
    Oct 13, 2019
    I remember visiting Petit Jean in the 70's. Never forget as a youngin jumping and diving off the cliff. Im sure it was not as high as I remember it.

    I would love to visit it again another nearly 50 years later. Everytime someone mentions it, I think about trying to make it back. One of these days.

    Mike
  • txfamilycamper's avatar
    txfamilycamper
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2019
    We love Petit Jean, this will be our third year spending thanksgiving week there... and yes we do a whole thanksgiving meal in our TT (smoke the turkey outside in an electric smoker).

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