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Started By
Message
Talk to me about the PETIT JEAN STATE PARK area in Arkansas
Posted on 6/18/24 at 6:57 am
Posted on 6/18/24 at 6:57 am
Looking for a one day driving trip out of Nola metro. Five kids aged 20-5.
Our default trip is the Gatlinburg area, but want somewhere new and don’t need the offerings of Pigeon Forge.
We love hiking, river activities and camping.
Can we do a week here?
Thanks for any info.
Our default trip is the Gatlinburg area, but want somewhere new and don’t need the offerings of Pigeon Forge.
We love hiking, river activities and camping.
Can we do a week here?
Thanks for any info.
This post was edited on 6/18/24 at 6:58 am
7
Posted on 6/18/24 at 7:15 am to Sheepdog1833
A week is doable but a long time. Summer there is harder for hiking and activities due to heat. There are decent trails there for hiking which are doable in 1-4 hours. There is a lake and car museum on the mountain. For a week, I’d suggest also driving over to Mount Nebo (smaller mountain and limited trails) and Mount Magazine (a few more trails that are longer) to hike their trails as well. I’ve never done river activities there so I can’t speak to that. You would obviously have more in Gatlinburg including numerous river rafting trips. Nantahala Mountain center in Gatlinburg can set up many river trips of all levels and they do a great job.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 7:28 am to Sheepdog1833
A week in Petit Jean might be a stretch with kids. 3 days maybe.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 7:36 am to Sheepdog1833
I wouldn’t want to do a week there, but there are 3-4 free (day pass) state parks in that area that are about 1 hour from each other, with Hot Springs a nice size town in that radius, could easily make a week making a few stops. Petit Jean is the most impressive, but the others like Lake Ouchita and Lake Catherine are all nice. Its a great trip, definitely recommend. Arkansas state parks are a great system.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 8:32 am to Sheepdog1833
Go a little further and do a multi-day kayak trip on the Buffalo River. You can tent camp anywhere along the banks. If the multi-day trip is too much, just find one of the national park campgrounds and do a one day kayak trip.
A good day trip would be driving over to Blanchard Springs and Caverns.
Another option would be going to a quieter, different part of GSMNP like Townsend, TN. Not as much tourist stuff, but you could always make the run to Gatlinburg.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 9:16 am to Sheepdog1833
Hit these spots to make a week.
Petit Jean
Mount Nebo
Mount Magazine
Crater of the Diamonds SP
Hot Springs NP and the Water park and Theme Park in hot springs.
Canoe with the kids on the Caddo River by Glenwood.
Petit Jean is definitely a great SP.
They rent canoes and have a nice pool also.
Petit Jean
Mount Nebo
Mount Magazine
Crater of the Diamonds SP
Hot Springs NP and the Water park and Theme Park in hot springs.
Canoe with the kids on the Caddo River by Glenwood.
Petit Jean is definitely a great SP.
They rent canoes and have a nice pool also.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 10:33 am to Pfft
thats a good plan
also bring plenty of your favorite tick and chigger repellent becase they are going to be thick
also bring plenty of your favorite tick and chigger repellent becase they are going to be thick
Posted on 6/18/24 at 12:42 pm to OceanMan
quote:
Arkansas state parks are a great system.
We went to Millwood State Park north of Texarkana for the eclipse. The staff were super friendly and no fee. It's a small park but was very well kept.
For the OP, with kids I would make Hot Springs the base and travel out for day trips. Have a day or two to do touristy stuff but plenty of time do get out in nature as well.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 12:46 pm to Pfft
Blanchard Springs Caverns are fun.
Not too far from Petit Jean.
Not too far from Petit Jean.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 1:08 pm to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Blanchard Springs Caverns
My kids loved that place
Posted on 6/18/24 at 2:13 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Petit Jean is beautiful but you don't need a week.
You should look into DeGray state park. It's more like a resort and there are lots of activities to do there. I think they are about 2 hrs apart. We did both last summer.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 2:55 pm to Donkus
quote:
We went to Millwood State Park north of Texarkana for the eclipse.
Used to be a fantastic fishing lake.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 6:41 pm to Sheepdog1833
Combine canoeing buffalo river on the way up to Petit Jean. We stayed in Harrison Ar. I would do max 3 days at petit Jean and like someone said before Lake Ouachita, Lake Cathrine or Degray Lake. All state parks with clear lakes. Believe you can rent pontoon boats or kayaks at all if something you like.
Posted on 6/18/24 at 8:45 pm to boudy30
Man, thanks all for the recommendations.
I’m looking forward to researching all of your suggestions and planning our trip.
I’m looking forward to researching all of your suggestions and planning our trip.
Posted on 6/19/24 at 7:24 am to Sheepdog1833
Look at North Alabama before Chattanooga! (Mentone area) It is about the same drive distance.
Plenty of State Parks and beautiful Scenery.
State Parks:
1. Desoto Falls
2. Cloudland Canyon
3. Lake Guntersville
4. Cheaha
5. Cathedral Caverns
6. Bucks Pocket
Other places to Visit:
1. Lookout Mountian
Plenty of State Parks and beautiful Scenery.
State Parks:
1. Desoto Falls
2. Cloudland Canyon
3. Lake Guntersville
4. Cheaha
5. Cathedral Caverns
6. Bucks Pocket
Other places to Visit:
1. Lookout Mountian
This post was edited on 6/19/24 at 7:25 am
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