Taking the whole family camping (well all the human parts anyway, Wife, 7DD 4.5DS, and myself).Looking at Petite Jean, although I am open to pretty much anywhere in the Ozarks, I have never been to this part of the country before.5 Nights in the next 2weeks or so.So, here is what I see that I like at Petite Jean, and I would like any feedback on if I am off base in my summation or perhaps if there is a better AR park for these ideals.Petite Jean - Seems to be a nice open park at the camp sites(<-edited word) so the kids can run about the camper and be easily seen. (I like secluded campsites but am learning open is good with young'ins). Lots of various trails. My kids love hiking and will want to do a hike every single day we are there. They also like fishing with their mother (I would rather stare at a tree for a rare extinct bird). Looks like nice vista's and such. I am a former Smokie's backcountry camper so I need trails, rocks, views, and some heights.The other thing we love to do is go see old Pioneer type cabins and villages. So if there are any must see old life villages, historic sites, etc in the Ozarks any suggestions would be appreciated (and obviously if there is a hotbed area with a nearby state park, please speak up)Thanks, Jayco X20E - love it, but thinking the X20B would have been the better move.

We like Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs too. Lots to do in Hot Springs and the state park is beautiful. http://www.historystateparks.com/register-landmarks/Some things may be temporarily closed in Hot Springs since it's a National Park.

If you love to hike then Petit Jean (no e at the end) is the place for you. Great campground and the best hiking trails in the state. There is also a lake, I don't know how good the fishing will be. They have a boat rental but it may be closed this late in the season.

Yup, Petit Jean is a great choice. Took my granddaughters there and they walked my legs off!

Petit Jean SP is one our favorite when we take our 7 yr old granddaughter camping with us. Area "A" is all FHU (full hookup) and lots of area for kids to run around and play. Areas B, C & D are more rustic, close together in the woods and have water & electric only. Great hiking trails. For old buildings there are a couple in the park. About 40 miles from the campground at the community of Pottsville is the "Potts Inn" built in 1857 and used as a Butterfield Stagecoach stop until the start of the Civil War. Serval other old buildings there also. Google it.For a future trip check out Craters of Diamonds SP. About 30 miles south of there is Old Washington SP. A whole town that is a State Park. There are tours of the old houses. fantastic gun museum and blacksmith shop. The community goes back to the early 1800's. This was on the road to Texas so a lot of history.Have a great time.

I haven't stayed at Quachita SP, but drove thru and liked it. Crater of the Diamonds SP is on our return list, but it's a drive from the Ozarks. It was rebuilt a few years ago. Someone mentioned Washington AR...It's a time machine, historic town left in the 1800's era. We stayed in cabins at Lake Ft. Smith SP, but I don't remember the camping layout. It moved from near the dam and was rebuilt not many years ago. I've been impressed with all AR SP. All these areas are South of I40.

AR - Choosing a Site for Family - Petite Jean - other?

JJ-
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
My wife and I are driving up from East Texas to Petit Jean this weekend. Really looking forward to it after all the positive reviews.

I know it's a little out of the way but we are planning to take scenic 7 up from Hot Springs. I bet it beautiful this time of year. My only concern is pulling my 35' trailer through Hot Springs since I heard it gets really congested. Any suggested on getting around Hot Springs but still taking HWY 7?
garmp
Explorer II
Oct 27, 2013
Great info and super pics! Can't wait to see. we're at Lake Claiborne, La, heading to Lake Ouachita SP tomorrow then to Petit Jean.
TnCamperMama
Explorer
Oct 22, 2013
Those pics are beautiful! We're thinking of a trip on Fall Break next year over there. DH won't have vac for a long trip next yr, but Petit Jean isn't too far and I bet beautiful this time of year.

OP, I felt bad for asking about other cg's in the area, so I started a thread about the mid south. :)
huachuca
Explorer
Oct 20, 2013
We recently spent three nights at Petit Jean and really enjoyed the Park. Lots of great hiking trails both short and long.

We had a site just of the state highway running through the campground - not a real problem but I'll get one on the back side the next time we're there
Dixiecamper
Explorer
Oct 16, 2013
Not sure who it was that is interested in Hernando Point, but right now it is closed (COE)Federal campground. They normally close a couple of the loops in the off season but open all up in the summer. There isn't a playground in the campground.

Not sure if this would be too far for you, but a great campground for kids is Persimmon Hill at Enid Lake. It is right off I-55 at Enid (a little south of Batesville, MS). It is also an Army COE campground so closed right now. It has a playground, open sites and lots of room for bike riding. If you plan to camp here, I suggest reservations as this is a very popular campground.

We live in northwest MS so camp mostly at COE and state parks in this area.
TnCamperMama
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I'll be in MS a few days at Thanksgiving and will ride down there. Thanks!

We can't wait to get out next spring. Living here in West Tn, we're lucky we're so close to so many great places, be it AR, TN or MS.

I've seen lot's of pics of Petit Jean and can't wait to visit there.
upstech76
Explorer
Oct 13, 2013
The only play ground in the camping areas are pretty basic (swing & slide). If I remember correctly there is a more elaborate playground in the day use area but isn't close by any camping sites. I don't know that there are any particularly bad sites in Hernando Point, some just offer different attractions than others. Some are water front, some near the bathrooms, some offer more shade than others, etc. My suggestion is to either drive out and have a look around or make you first trip when its not packed so you can have multiple sites to choose from.
TnCamperMama
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
upstech76 wrote:
All the sections (A-D) include water and power. Section A also includes sewer. Petit Jean is one of my favorites. We live in Horn Lake and routinely camp at Hernando Point on the weekends. Was just their two weeks ago and plan to go the last weekend in Oct if its back open by then.

I grew up out at Pleasant Hill point at the end of Fogg Rd. The lake was at the end of the street. I didn't grow up camping b/c we lived on the lake. Since Arkabutla is so close we plan to go to H'do point this summer too. Whats a good site down there? We will have the kids so close to the playground is a must. We're going to buy our camper at Southaven Rv.
{Sorry for the hijack OP :D)
upstech76
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
All the sections (A-D) include water and power. Section A also includes sewer. Petit Jean is one of my favorites. We live in Horn Lake and routinely camp at Hernando Point on the weekends. Was just their two weeks ago and plan to go the last weekend in Oct if its back open by then.
TnCamperMama
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013
If I missed it I'm sorry, but what sites have water and power. Sewer isn't too much of a concern.
Upstech76, I'm from just south of Memphis, Hernando, MS. But I'm in Tipton Co. now. So hey neighbors!