Petit Jean State Park

The weather was somewhat unseasonable for much of our stay at Toad Suck Park, but on Monday we had an absolutely perfect fall day.  We took the opportunity to drive some 30 miles northwest to Petit Jean State Park.  From the overlook as you enter the park, you can see the Arkansas River valley spread out below you.

The park gets its name from the legend of Petit Jean (pronounced pettyjean by the locals).  According to the story, in the 1700s a young French girl named Adrienne Dumont disguised herself as a cabin boy in order to follow her fiance', the nobleman Chavet, to the New World.  The other sailors nicknamed her “Petit Jean”  or “Little John,” never dreaming that “he” was a “she.”  As the story goes, at what would become known as Petit John Mountain, the young woman contracted a fever, and her true identity became known to her fiancé and the others.  Unfortunately, she could not be saved and died near this spot.  Her final request was that she be buried on the top of the mountain.

What is said to be the grave of Petit Jean can be seen beside the walkway on the mountain.  Legend is that her spirit still lingers in the area, and that her ghost can be seen moving silently at night on the mountain.  

Petit Jean Mountain was only the beginning of our exploration of the park.  We enjoyed enormous hamburgers and a terrific view at Mather Lodge. (Sorry, no photo of the 'burgers; they were gone before I could get a shot.)

Then we took a short hike to the Cedar Falls Overlook.  We were disappointed that the falls were not flowing, but enjoyed stretching our legs.  If you look closely at the image below, you can see a wet area to the right of the large rock formation...maybe the water will be gushing over the cliff the next time we visit.

Our next hike was along the Rock House Cave Trail.  The cave is actually a large rock shelter, which shows evidence of having been used by the early peoples.  That is not surprising.  There is plenty room for the members of a village to spend a few days, or maybe a winter, out of the elements. 

The literature says that pictographs can be seen in the back of the cave, but we never found them.  

It’s a nice, short hike, though.  We were especially intrigued by the “turtle rocks” along one section of the trail.  

They made a good spot for a photo op. 

The park is beautiful, and offers much more than we were able to see.  The RV section is also well laid-out and offers full hook-ups, so we'll put it on our list for another visit the next time we pass this way.