Rock House Cave
About an hour northwest of Little Rock is Arkansas’ first State Park. Petit Jean State Park is gorgeous and has so much to do that we can’t cover it in an afternoon. Camping (which we did last year in a tent with the kiddos), a lodge, cabins (our honeymoon spot!), fishing, guided star gazing, an automobile museum (and swap, if you hit the right weekend), playgrounds for the kids, hiking (SO much hiking), a beautiful waterfall and pond, the legend of Petit Jean herself (so romantic and, yet, so tragic), gorgeous views, an airport, a complete calendar of events, and Rent-A-Tepees – for goodness’ sakes. And really, that’s not scratching the surface. Don’t forget – if you go camping – be sure to put together a Camping Lapbook from Homeschool Share before you leave and then you can fill in the info and memories while you’re there!
A crevice on the trail
Petit Jean State Park is located just outside of Morrilton, Arkansas, where you can find stores, restaurants, and all the trappings of a small town to take care of any needs (or forgetfulnesses!) on your part.
Petit Jean from the valley below
This weekend we only had time (and energy – I am that pregnant right now, chasing a 2 year old) for one of the smaller trails that led down to Rock House Cave, a stop by one of the many overlooks, and play around in an old (and very Narnian, in my opinion) water tower.
Water Tower
We did stop by the visitor’s center to let TheMiddlest buy a walking stick and explore the hands-on collection of animal furs and bones, snake skins; look for birds; and learn a little about those Turtle Rocks that we discovered on the trail later in the day.
Turtle Rocks
Aside from the lunch and dinner that we ate out (SO could’ve packed a lunch and saved money), and the birthday money that my 6 year old spent, we were out the price of gas. And their lodging is almost as cheap. We’ll be going back in the cooler months (and save even more money) to stay in a cabin, see the fireplace ablaze, and maybe even hike down to the bottom of Cedar Falls.
View from the top
Again, this is something that anyone of any age would enjoy, but as proven today – with a third trimester woman and a toddler in tow – and springtime a year ago when we took a dog and a one year old – this is definitely a place you can go – either for a full weekend or just the afternoon – with all aged kiddos.
Inside the water tower
Happy Traveling!
That is beautiful! Thanks so much for this Suzanne. I want to go there with Donny alone to be able to just look around and enjoy it! Of course we have to have a sitter for that, and that is not easy, lol. It looks so beautiful there though.
wait a year or two, girl, and take all those babies! they’d love it! (by the way, it does make a great anniversary spot, though! priced low and very romantic!)
Yea it would be nice to take the kids when they are a little bigger. I want to go myself now though! It is so pretty
Ah….Petit Jean….how we have discussed you at our house. (Pet-it Jean, with a hard J)
around these parts she’s pronounced “petty jean” (hard j, like you said, and said altogether like it’s one word) and in what context have you discussed her – i thought she was just a local legend.