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Petit Jean State Park
Meet Mother Nature in Arkansas
By Donna Smith
If anyone had told me that my teenage daughter's favorite vacation spot would be a cabin on a mountain in Arkansas that didn't have a phone or TV, I would have said they were certifiable. But every year she asks if we can go back to "that cabin in Arkansas." That cabin, along with many others, is nestled among the pine trees in Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton, Ark.
My family's two trips to Petit Jean State Park were during summer months. But each season has something special to offer. "Seasons are very pronounced at Petit Jean," says Lori Anderson, park interpreter at Petit Jean State Park. "Each season has its own unique attention getter. I would not say that one is better than any other, although personally I am partial to spring and fall because of the great temperatures that are common and the colorful flowers in spring and leaves in fall."
In the spring, redbud and dogwood trees decorate the mountain with blasts of color, but wildflowers are the star of the season, which begin to bloom in late March. "Wildflowers of some sort will be plentiful through early June," says Anderson. "Each year, we host a Wildflower Weekend, usually the first weekend in April to celebrate our wildflowers. We also have a Great Escape Easter Weekend, which is great for the kids. We have an Easter egg hunt, complete with prizes and candy-filled Easter eggs."
Green returns to the mountain in summer, but that doesn't take away from its beauty. The green, brown and red hues make for a breathtaking sight. The activities don't stop, either, once the flowers fade. "Summer is also a fun season here at Petit Jean," says Anderson. "During the summer months, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, there is a full schedule of activities seven days a week. These activities include guided hikes, demonstrations, campfire programs, games and more! The boathouse and swimming pool, which are both only opened seasonally, are running at full speed."
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