After having a baby, we stuck close to home for a few months, but still managed to get some hiking in.
We took the tiny human on his first hiking trip to Arkansas. We rented a house on AirBnB (our go to) and explored Petit Jean State Park, as well as Hot Springs National Park.
Petit Jean State Park
We spent a few days at PJ State Park. There were almost no crowds, one of the park rangers told us that at this point in the year (July) they have usually had around 500,000 visitors to the park, and this year they have only had about 150,000. There were very few people out when we were there. Maybe 4 or 5 families in total. The park is absolutely beautiful and there is a lot of tree cover, so even in the height of the day you are protected from the sun. Mosquitoes didn't seem to be much of a problem either when we were there, which was really nice.
We started our hiking at the Bear Cave, near the entrance of the park. We figured we'd start with a short hike, and as we were still trying to get used to hiking with the baby in his pack. He loved the hike. As you can see from the pictures, he was all eyes looking at everything around us.
There aren't any bears in the cave, but it is an interesting hike.
As we started later in the day, when we were done we decided to drive further into the park to the CCC Overlook to watch the sun set. I'm glad we did because the views were gorgeous.
This is the view from the CCC building, which was built in 1933.
Sadly when we were there the Cedar Creek Falls trail was closed due to a massive rain storm that washed out a bridge the week before. We only got to see it from the overlook. We will have to make another trip back to hike it, because from the pictures I've seen, it's beautiful from below.
From the overlook we followed the tail to the upper part of the falls, it was a long hike (several miles) which would be hard for little kids, unless you hiked them on your back. But even then, it's a long hike for whom ever has to carry them.
We came out near the pioneer cabin. It was built in 1845, and the young couple that lived here had 9 children. Imagine living in this one room cabin with 11 people!
We also did the Rock House Cave trail, which takes you past these rock formations called Turtle Rocks.
The cave itself doesn't go too deep, and it's fairly wide so it's a good place to cool off and relax.
There are also several cave paintings inside.
If you follow Petit Jean Mountain Road (Highway 154) East, out of the park you will see the signs for Scout's Point, where Petit Jean's grave is located.
Legend says that Petit Jean was actually a woman who followed her fiancée out West. Dressed in men's clothes she wasn't discovered to be a woman until she fell ill.
This is the view from Scout's Point.
This stone building is College Lodge (built in 1928), and it's all that's left of the YMCA summer camp that was located on Scout's Point during the 20's and 30's.
On your way back into the park, I would highly suggest a stop at Petit Jean Coffeehouse!
We stopped here several days in a row, there coffee was great! My favorite was the Turtle Rock Latte. They also have a nice patio to sit on so you can social distance.
On our last day in the park we checked out the views of Mather Lodge (which was closed unless you had a reservation).
Hot Springs
After Petit Jean, we drove South to Hot Springs. We started off at the Mountain Tower, which had views of all of Hot Springs.
There is a Promenade walk that runs the length of the bathhouses above the bathhouses. It offers views of the springs and the bathhouses.
The waters are extremely clear and run hot, as you can see by the steam.
All of the bathhouses were closed due to Covid when we went in July (2020), but I'm definitely going back, because I love the Art Deco style and it was rampant around Hot Springs.
Also, Hot Springs National Park is the only National Park that serves Beer.
A little south of Hot Springs you will find Anthony Chapel. Which is part of the Garvan Woodland Gardens on Lake Hamilton.
It is an architecturally stunning chapel made out of wood and glass. It was really overcast the day we were there so the pictures don't do it justice. Make sure you check out the calendar here before you go, as the church and surrounding area is closed when there is a wedding.
One other interesting attraction in Hot Springs is the childhood home of President Bill Clinton. It's not open for tours, and only a small sign marks it's location.
That's all I have for now, more hiking trips and stories coming soon!
Until the next adventure!