Is Petit Jean Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Petit Jean Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Petit Jean Campground before I book?

Yes! Petit Jean Campground has 23 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve.

What is the best time to visit Petit Jean Campground?

Petit Jean Campground is open Open year-round; peak visitor use in spring and summer. Camping is frequently best in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and waterfalls/foliage are at their best.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Petit Jean Campground?

Yes, Petit Jean Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Is there cell service at Petit Jean Campground?

Cell phone service at Petit Jean Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

Are dogs allowed at Petit Jean Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Petit Jean Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Petit Jean Campground?

Petit Jean Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Petit Jean Campground?

Popular activities at Petit Jean Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Petit Jean Campground

4.87

120 reviews

Top 6% in ARFall

Seasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Scenic ViewsGreat Hiking

Quick Facts

919 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Full HookupsShowersWiFi

Book on ArkansasStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

919 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Full HookupsShowersWiFi

Book on ArkansasStateParks Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Petit Jean Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Arkansas State Parks

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Campground Map

Petit Jean Campground

35.1217, -92.9377

Weather at Petit Jean Campground

Best Time to Camp at Petit Jean Campground

While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, each season paints Petit Jean in different colors. Spring brings wildflower-lined trails and roaring waterfalls, while fall sets the hardwood canopy ablaze with color—both seasons offering that sweet spot of comfortable temperatures and stunning natural displays. Summer draws families and adventurers despite the heat, and winter offers peaceful solitude for those who don't mind fewer services and the occasional trail iced with morning frost. Pro tip: the plateau sits noticeably cooler than the valley below, and those gorgeous rock trails turn slippery when wet, so pack layers and watch your footing.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

5.0 / 5

Top 5% in AR

Spring brings wildflowers and roaring waterfalls—highlighted as a peak season.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; peak visitor use in spring and summer. Camping is frequently best in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and waterfalls/foliage are at their best.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Petit Jean Campground

Perched atop Petit Jean Mountain, this beloved Arkansas state park campground immerses you in dense hardwood forest while serving as your gateway to some of the state's most dramatic natural wonders. From your wooded campsite, you're just moments away from thundering Cedar Falls, ancient rock formations, and breathtaking canyon overlooks that have captivated visitors since the CCC crews first carved trails here in the 1930s.

Petit Jean Campground includes a mix of sites and lodging: full-hookup (Class AAA) and partial-hookup (Class B) RV sites, a rally-style area with water-only service, and cabins on site. The campground contains multiple wooded loops and more open sites.

Historical Significance

Petit Jean State Park is Arkansas’s oldest state park and contains numerous Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) stone and log structures such as Mather Lodge, trails, and bridges. The park is also associated with the local legend of 'Petit Jean,' whose gravesite is a noted cultural feature at Stout’s Point.

Weather and SeasonsWhile the campground welcomes visitors year-round, each season paints Petit Jean in different colors. Spring brings wildflower-lined trails and roaring waterfalls, while fall sets the hardwood canopy ablaze with color—both seasons offering that sweet spot of comfortable temperatures and stunning natural displays. Summer draws families and adventurers despite the heat, and winter offers peaceful solitude for those who don't mind fewer services and the occasional trail iced with morning frost. Pro tip: the plateau sits noticeably cooler than the valley below, and those gorgeous rock trails turn slippery when wet, so pack layers and watch your footing.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to dappled sunlight filtering through towering hardwoods, knowing that today you might explore a 95-foot waterfall, peer into mysterious caves, or stand at the edge of sheer sandstone bluffs that plunge into verdant canyons below. This mesa-top wonderland delivers natural drama at every turn: the iconic Cedar Falls cascading over layered rock, the whispering chambers of Bear Cave and Rock House Cave, the gravity-defying Natural Bridge, and overlooks like Stout's Point where the Arkansas River Valley stretches to the horizon. Seven Hollows Trail winds through terrain so diverse you'll forget you're in Arkansas—until the Southern hospitality reminds you.

Geological RegionLocated on top of Petit Jean Mountain, a flat-topped mesa approximately 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita ranges; features sandstone bluffs, deep canyons, and mixed hardwood forest.

Scenic ViewsCampers have access to both panoramic vistas over the Arkansas River Valley from overlooks like Stout’s Point and close-up geological scenery in canyons and rock formations. Sunrises and sunsets over the valley and cliffs are noted highlights.

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Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (Arkansas State Parks reservation system)

Best CampsitesPublic reports suggest wooded loops away from the highway provide more shade and privacy, while sites near Lake Bailey are convenient for fishing and boating access. Detailed site-by-site recommendations are not consistently documented.

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Amenities available

Petit Jean Campground offers modern restroom facilities with hot showers and flush toilets, potable water, electrical hookups at many sites, and both full- and partial-hookup RV sites. The park provides a dump station, picnic shelters, a seasonal swimming pool, a visitor center, Mather Lodge with restaurant and gift shop, boathouse with seasonal boat rentals, and cabins on site; Wi‑Fi and cell service are available in many areas but can be intermittent.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

WiFi

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Petit Jean Campground

The campground is a hub for hiking and sightseeing on Petit Jean Mountain, with access to multiple named trails, overlooks, and waterfall viewpoints. Other common activities include fishing and boating on Lake Bailey, swimming in the park pool (seasonal), wildlife viewing, biking on park trails, ranger-led programs, picnicking, and photography.

Hiking5.0/5Top 2% in Arkansas

Multiple marked trails to Cedar Falls, Rock House, Seven Hollows and overlooks.

Fishing4.0/5

Fishing on Lake Bailey with a park boathouse and seasonal boat rentals.

Boating3.5/5

Boathouse with seasonal boat rentals on Lake Bailey supports casual boating.

Swimming3.0/5

Seasonal swimming pool near Mather Lodge; lake swimming not emphasized.

Wildlife viewing3.0/5

Dense hardwood forest implies good wildlife viewing though not highlighted.

Biking2.0/5

Trails are described as hiking-focused; biking not specifically mentioned.

Signature experiences

Stargazing3.5/5Mesa-top overlooks likely offer good night skies; direct mentions absent.

Photography5.0/5Panoramic overlooks, waterfalls and rock formations are top photography subjects.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTrails in canyon and bluff areas can be rugged, steep, and slippery when wet; cliff edges and waterfall environs require caution and close supervision of children. Typical park wildlife includes deer, raccoons, and snakes; standard precautions for food storage and tick checks are recommended.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.9

120 reviews

Top-Rated

Petit Jean Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors consistently praise Petit Jean for dramatic scenery, well-maintained trails, historic CCC architecture, comfortable cabins, and clean facilities. Commonly noted negatives are crowding on popular trails and overlooks during peak times, occasional site-level issues (unlevel or small sites), and variable cell coverage in some areas.

Review Summaries

Based on 120 reviews

What Campers Love

Dramatic bluff and canyon scenery (Cedar Falls, Stout's Point, Seven Hollows), well-marked and varied hikes, historic Mather Lodge and CCC stonework, clean restrooms with hot showers, lake recreation...

Based on 120 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Begin at the Dr. T.W. Hardison Visitor Center for maps and current trail conditions; hike early or late to avoid crowds and heat; wear sturdy shoes and bring water for canyon trails like Cedar Falls...

Based on 120 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Beautiful park, great trails, scenic waterfall!” — “Sites were all unlevel, small and dirty. My firepit had trash in it.”

Based on 120 reviews

Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Petit Jean Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Arkansas State Parks

Provider

Go if

Hikers, fall color chasers, and RVers who want hookups will like it. Trails reach Cedar Falls, Seven Hollows, and the overlooks from a wooded mesa top, and many sites have electric, water, sewer, showers, and Wi‑Fi.

Skip if

Crowds and site quirks can be a pain here. Reviews mention busy trails and overlooks on weekends, plus some small or unlevel sites, and cell service drops in the hollows and on parts of the trail network.

Nearby Campgrounds

Highly Popular

4.9

(120)

Petit Jean State Park

Perched atop Petit Jean Mountain, this stunning campground invites you to explore deep forested canyons, witness the dramatic 95-foot plunge of Cedar Creek Falls, and relax along the shores of Lake Bailey. Historic hand-hewn stonework built by the Civilian Conservation Corps adds timeless character to both the rustic lodge and your choice of lakeshore or woodland campsites, with Area A offering the convenience of full hookups.