State Park in Arkansas Ranked #2 in Southern United States

There are 52 state parks in the great state of Arkansas however, recently Southern Living named Petit Jean Mountain State Park as one of the best state parks nationally ranked #2 out of 14 across the Southern United States.

Petit Jean State Park Ranked #2

Legend of Petit Jean

What makes this park so unique from the others is the fact that it was one of the very first state parks established in the state making it one of the oldest. Not only that, the history of Petit Jean is amazing in itself, the legendary story of a French girl whose real name was Adrienne who traveled to this mountain area in the 1700s, dressed as a cabin boy so she could join some explorers, her secret disguise was used so she could be near her fiance Chavet on a journey to the new world. The sailors named her Petit Jean which meant "Little John" in French. It was believed that even Chavet didn't know who she was until she became ill, not expected to live Petit Jean revealed who she was telling him her wishes were to be buried on top of the mountain overlooking the river where they first met. Indian natives in that region made a stretcher out of deerskin and carried her to the top of the mountain where her grave remains today at Stout's Point.

Petit Jean State Park has many Geological features too including an ancient bluff shelter on Rock Cave Trail with pictographs and rock art.

There are numerous trails in the area including a breathtaking waterfall at the foot of Cedar Creek Canyon.

Rock stone cabin and yurt rentals are available and the rustic Mather Lodge has a restaurant and gift shop. Mather Lodge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Paddle boats and fishing boats are available from the boat house for a day on the nearby lake. There's even an Airbnb on the mountain, a petting zoo, and a coffee house.

Make sure you visit the newly built visitor center with stunning views of the area.

Petit Jean State Park is also part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

If you are looking for a vacation destination, a short getaway weekend, or just a place to go hiking Petit Jean Mountain is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts to get back to nature in the Natural state of Arkansas.

This is personally one of my favorite places to visit no matter what season it is.

To see the complete Southern Living list of the Best State Parts in the Southern United States. go here.

For more on Petit Jean Mountain go here.