Petit Jean

This week, I took a work trip to Petit Jean Mountain State Park, Arkansas' first state park. I'm working on a new brochure for the park, and I wanted to see it for myself first-hand. The park has an interesting history, including the legend of Petit Jean, bluff shelters and rock caves used by Native Americans, and many of its existing structures, like Mather Lodge and the state park cabins, were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the mid-1930s. You can feel (and sometimes even smell) the history that surrounds you. I stayed in a room at Mather Lodge. Built from native rock and large pillars of pine, the lodge is rustic but elegant. I cozied up to the fireplace with a book until it was time to turn in for the night. My room, with its wood-paneling and twin beds, felt like I was away at summer camp. The next morning, I was eager to explore the outdoors, but the mountain was covered in a dense fog. At breakfast, my view from the restaurant window was a wall of white. I waited until the fog lifted a bit before venturing outside. My first stop was the Visitors Center where I met park interpreter B.T. Jones. He was happy to take me on a guided hike. Here are some of the things we saw along the way: 

This way to Rock House Cave.

"Turtle rocks."

Rock House Cave.

Native American rock art.

Cedar Falls from the old CCC Overlook.

The fog lifting.

CCC Overlook.

Cedar Falls Overlook.

Another view of Cedar Falls.

B.T. Jones, y'all. 

"Carpet rocks."

This way to Bear Cave.

B.T. "Indiana" Jones. 

From inside the Bear Cave.

Petit Jean is a really special place. I am already thinking about my next visit. Next time, I'd like to stay in a CCC cabin and take a walking tour of Seven Hollows, hopefully my new buddy B.T. can join me. This trip definitely inspired me to spend more time at our state parks.