Petit Jean was the first of, and the inspiration for, the entire Arkansas State Park System. At more than 2500 acres, it has a variety of beautiful terrain, hiking trails, and many structures dating back to 1933 – built by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corp as part of the New Deal in 1933.
Mather Lodge is one of the historical structures built by the CCC.
With 24 guest rooms, a restaurant, a meeting room, and a swimming pool, the historic lodge (which was remodeled and restored in 2011) offers all of the amenities of a modern hotel, but in the beautiful scenery of Petit Jean and overlooking Cedar Creek Canyon.
Getting there:
To get to Petit Jean, take Highway 154 East from Centerville 13 miles. Centerville is 15 miles South of Dardenelle (which is just South of the Arkansas River from the community of Russellville off of Highway 40). Mather Lodge is just North of Highway 154, turn left at the sign that points you that direction.
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