Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas’s first state park, is set to see significant enhancements through a newly approved draft master plan. Developed by Crafton Tull in collaboration with Rogue Trails, the plan focuses on elevating the park’s recreational and environmental offerings while preserving its rich natural and cultural heritage.
Key Areas of Focus
The master plan emphasizes eleven key themes: Stewardship, Access, Circulation, Movement, Traverse, Splash, Stay, Play, Serve, Expand, and Arrival. These areas outline strategies to balance visitor experience with environmental sustainability.
Proposed Mountain Biking Trails
One of the highlights of the plan is the inclusion of new multi-use mountain biking trails. These trails will cater to cyclists of all skill levels, adding to the park’s appeal as a hub for outdoor enthusiasts. The trails will also integrate seamlessly with pedestrian pathways and existing hiking trails, ensuring accessibility and connectivity throughout the park.
Enhanced Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
In addition to mountain biking, the plan suggests introducing rock climbing, bouldering, and a via ferrata—a protected climbing route. These activities will diversify the park’s recreational offerings and draw adventure seekers to Petit Jean.
Environmental and Historical Stewardship
The master plan places a strong emphasis on preserving the park’s natural and cultural resources. This includes prescribed burns, selective thinning of vegetation, and the removal of invasive species. Collaborations with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and the Arkansas Archeological Survey will help protect historic and prehistoric cultural sites within the park.
Accessibility and Infrastructure Improvements
The plan also outlines updates to parking, vehicle circulation, and ADA accessibility, ensuring that all visitors can enjoy the park’s amenities. Upgrades to overnight accommodations and enhancements to water-based recreation are additional priorities.
Approval and Next Steps
The draft master plan received support from the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission in August 2024 and was formally approved in November 2024. These proposed improvements mark a significant step in maintaining Petit Jean State Park’s legacy while enhancing its appeal for future generations. This is the beginning of a long process. You can read the entire plan here.
For those passionate about outdoor recreation, Petit Jean is set to become an even more dynamic destination, offering opportunities for adventure, exploration, and connection to nature.
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!
One Response
Petit Jean is a treasure. Removing invasive species, prescribed burns and selective thinning are good practices. Please Please Please don’t turn this State park jewel into a Johnny Morris type of “nature area.” And there are so many areas in Arkansas already for rock climbing and mountain biking and Petit Jean doesn’t have to cater to those as well. Can we not enjoy the natural beauty of Petit Jean as it is?