MORRILTON, Ark., Arkansas outdoor adventure took another major step forward today as Petit Jean State Park officially opened the Petit Jean Via Ferrata, a guided fixed cable climbing experience that is believed to be the only via ferrata located within a state park anywhere in the United States.
The new attraction, developed through a partnership between Arkansas State Parks and Frontier Climbing Company, adds an entirely new way to experience Arkansas’ oldest state park. Built beneath the iconic Palisades Overlook, the route allows visitors with little or no climbing experience to traverse dramatic sandstone cliffs while remaining continuously attached to a fixed steel safety cable.
For Arkansas, the project represents another milestone in the state’s growing reputation as an outdoor recreation destination.
What Is a Via Ferrata?
The term via ferrata means “iron way” in Italian. Originally developed in the European Alps, via ferratas combine hiking and climbing by using permanently installed steel cables, metal rungs, ladders, bridges, and anchors that allow participants to travel through otherwise inaccessible terrain.
Unlike traditional rock climbing, participants remain clipped into the safety cable throughout the experience while trained guides lead groups across the route.
The Petit Jean Via Ferrata follows the Italian style of construction, emphasizing long traverses across the cliff face rather than sustained vertical climbing. That means participants experience dramatic exposure and panoramic views without needing advanced climbing skills.
A Cliffside Adventure at Petit Jean
Stretching approximately 0.45 miles beneath the Palisades Overlook, the route winds along the park’s north facing sandstone cliffs, reaching heights of more than 100 feet above the ground.
Along the way, participants encounter:
- A suspension bridge
- A foot bridge
- A sky ladder
- Multiple aerial cable sections
- Cliffside ledge traverses
- Ten named climbing pitches, including Diamondback Gulch, Maximum Exposure, The High Wire, Skywalker, and Westward Expansion
The builders have rated the experience as a blue square, similar to an intermediate ski run or mountain bike trail. While physically challenging, it was intentionally designed to be accessible for adventurous beginners.
Guided for Safety
Every trip is led by professionally trained guides from Frontier Climbing Company, with no more than five participants assigned to each guide.
Before entering the course, every participant completes a practice section to become familiar with the equipment and movement techniques.
The experience is open to participants who:
- Are at least 12 years old
- Weigh between 88 and 265 pounds
Guided trips will operate year round with seasonal departure times. Reservations are required.
Building Arkansas’ Outdoor Economy
State leaders see the project as more than another recreation opportunity.
“Our goal is to double Arkansas’ outdoor economy and double what tourism returns to the state; attractions like this one are how we get there,” said Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
“When you’re the only place in the country where you can do something special in a state park, people notice, and they come see it for themselves. What we have done is create more ways to explore our first State Park while welcoming families back again and again to try something new.”
Petit Jean became Arkansas’ first state park in 1923, and many historians credit its spectacular scenery with inspiring the creation of the Arkansas State Parks system itself.
A New Way to Experience Arkansas Climbing
For Frontier Climbing Company, the via ferrata opens the cliffs of Petit Jean to a much broader audience.
“This is a new, unique way to experience Petit Jean State Park and the perfect way for non climbers to get out on the rocks and enjoy the views,” said Blane McClellan, co founder and guide with Frontier Climbing Company.
“Experienced climbers will also find this adventure to be challenging and very fulfilling. This is a beautiful via ferrata course and we are thrilled to share this new adventure with park guests.”
Jeremy Draper, Chief Operating Officer of Adventure Partners LLC., the company that built the installation, said the setting makes the course unlike others across the country.
“This via ferrata is unique in its forested setting, with great views, and will challenge and inspire all who experience it.”
Part of a Growing Climbing Destination
The via ferrata represents the latest chapter in Petit Jean’s rapid emergence as one of Arkansas’ premier climbing destinations.
Only recently, Arkansas State Parks officially opened climbing access at Seven Hollows through a partnership with the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Foundation and the Arkansas Climbers Coalition. That effort established dozens of new sport climbing routes while formalizing access to more than 150 historic boulder problems.
Combined with Frontier Climbing Company’s guide services based inside historic Mather Lodge, Petit Jean has quickly evolved from a legendary hiking destination into one of the state’s most diverse climbing parks.
For visitors who have admired the towering sandstone bluffs from Cedar Falls Trail or the Palisades Overlook, the new via ferrata offers a completely different perspective, one that puts them directly on the cliffs themselves.
Planning Your Adventure
The Petit Jean Via Ferrata is now open and operates as a guided experience only.
Visitors should expect the adventure to last several hours and should wear comfortable outdoor clothing and closed toe shoes suitable for hiking and climbing.
Reservations, pricing, schedules, and additional information are available through Arkansas State Parks or Frontier Climbing Company.
Know Before You Go
- Guided trips operate year round.
- Morning and afternoon departures vary by season.
- Minimum age is 12 years.
- Participants must weigh between 88 and 265 pounds.
- Professional climbing equipment and instruction are provided.
- Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens. Thank you for supporting our work!
