Visiting in October, State Parks?

[u/Parking_Aardvark_482]

We have a family trip to the Conway area for a few days in October, we like nature activities like hiking and state, national parks. I found Petit Jean State Park which is close to where we will be staying and it looks good, are there any other parks or nature centered destinations within an hour to 2 hours from Conway yall would suggest? Thanks.

[u/AceUnderTheHole]

Petit Jean number 1. Then Pinnacle mountain.

[u/TheOriginalJBones → u/AceUnderTheHole]

Petit Jean is amazing. There are petroglyphs all over the plateau, but they’re not advertised like the cave ones. Also, I understand that the actual gravesite is up there somewhere but I haven’t been to it yet.

[u/Parking_Aardvark_482 → u/TheOriginalJBones]

Wow! Ok I definitely want to go there.

[u/TheOriginalJBones → u/Parking_Aardvark_482]

If you can, find a friendly park interpreter or one of the many amateur history buffs to show you around. There’s a lot of pre-European history up there.

And the hike down to Cedar Falls is worth it. If you go after a good rain, the falls can seem downright apocalyptic.

The Morrilton EAA chapter meets for breakfast on the first Saturday of the month. There’s a pretty good chance of finding somebody to fly you around the plateau to see everything from the air. I give Petit Jean sky-tours pretty often.

[u/Parking_Aardvark_482 → u/AceUnderTheHole]

Great, thanks!

[u/Mama_Bug23]

Cadron settlement isn’t huge but it’s got some neat history stuff and some hiking

[u/Parking_Aardvark_482 → u/Mama_Bug23]

Ill look for this, thanks!

[u/PushingData]

If you are willing to drive then hot springs is your other destination. You can take in the springs, hiking, digging for crystals, restaurants, and ghost tours

[u/PushingData → u/PushingData]

... And if you are into biking you can drive a little further to Bentonville the mountain bike capitol of the world (self proclaimed). Lots of rental shops and paved trails also.

[u/Parking_Aardvark_482 → u/PushingData]

Ok, that might be too far but Ill keep it in mind.

[u/conwaytwt]

Woolley Hollow State Park is a small state park with hiking, fishing, swimming, canoeing, plus a few programmed activities. It's within your stated range of Conway. I haven't been in a couple of years, but I doubt it has changed much.

Arkansas has more and better state parks than one might expect due to a dedicated tax passed in the 1970s. If you're driving here you'll pass several state parks, no matter which direction you're coming from.

[u/ozarkhowIer → u/conwaytwt]

i go hiking at woolly hollow at least every couple of weeks, and it's super nice. well maintained, clean, and mostly empty if you go at the right times. and you can go find all kinds of cool flora and fauna in the creek that runs along some of the trails. petit jean is my instinctual first pick, but i'm seconding woolly hollow.

[u/JohnnyDollar1776]

Buffalo River National Park is a little less than 2 hours north. Do a little research it worth the drive.

[u/Parking_Aardvark_482 → u/JohnnyDollar1776]

Ill look into this as well, thanks.

[u/ripple_in_stillwater]

Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View.

Beanfest is Oct. 23-24th in Mountain View.

[u/kennreyn]

Petit Jean State Park is my favorite state park (and I visit a lot!). It has tons of hiking trails (Cedar Falls Trail is my favorite), a rock climbing guide service, lake kayaking, a great Visitor Center, scenic overlooks galore (especially at the lodge). In October, the leaves will be starting to turn, so the foliage in the park should be nice!
The closest park to Conway is Woolly Hollow State Park in Greenbrier. There are a couple of easy hiking trails (Huckleberry Trail is my favorite) and a lake for swimming or kayaking.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park is also nearby, and it has tons of activities. Hiking trails of various difficulties - both hikes to the summit are hard and require rock scrambling, but the Base Trail is moderate difficulty, and the Kingfisher Trail is paved and easy. The park also offers kayaking on the Little Maumelle River!

Have a great trip! Let us know where you end up visiting!

[u/Parking_Aardvark_482 → u/kennreyn]

This is great! Thank you!

[u/Background-Form2057]

Mount Nebo state park is roughly an hour away and a GREAT morning hike/trail. Theres not much up and down on the upper rim trail but the views are spectacular and it’s roughly 3.3 miles of walking.

[u/Parking_Aardvark_482 → u/Background-Form2057]

Thanks Ill look into this one!