Petit Jean State Park is one of Arkansas’s most well-known parks, and for good reason. It sits high on top of Petit Jean Mountain and has beautiful views, great trails, and a lot of history.
Petit Jean State Park view on the last day of June – Cell phone photo
The park was named after a young French girl who disguised herself as a boy so she could secretly follow her fiancé to the New World. She got sick on the journey and asked to be buried on the mountain. Her real name was never known, but she became known as “Petit Jean,” which means “Little John” in French.
In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the roads, trails, cabins, and stone buildings in the park. Mather Lodge, which they also built, is still the main lodge today.
There are several overlooks on the mountain. Stout’s Point, where Petit Jean is buried, has wide views of the Arkansas River.
View from Petit Jean State Park – Cell phone photo
Other overlooks give views of Mount Nebo, Mount Magazine, and the surrounding hills and valleys. The CCC Overlook looks into Cedar Creek Canyon. The Palisades Overlook is a good place to watch the sunset.
The Cedar Falls Overlook gives a high view of the 95-foot waterfall. It’s one of the most photographed falls in the state.
I hope to go back to this Petit Jean State Park and take more landscape photos on a day with stunning skies and no haze.
Life is good.
Mia
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Beautiful views, indeed. Did you see any birds?
Beautiful shots Mia. Thanks.
Happy Independence Day. Hope you have a great weekend.