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Bear Cave Trail, Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton, Arkansas

Rock Formations from Erosion, Bear Cave Trail

Bear Cave Trail located within Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas, is a short trail (. 5 mile loop) down to a cave and some awesome rocks/boulders/formations to climb and explore. Legend has it that in this cave the last Black Bear to be killed in the park was shot here. The cave itself is about 8 feet deep, 10 feet wide....would have been a great hibernation den for a bear. I found the cave to be cool to see....but it was the rock formations created by erosion that was most interesting. 



Bear Cave on the Trail

The rock formations provide ample and mostly safe climbing to the top to see across a valley. There are numerous passageways between these large formations, most 20-30 feet in height, some of the cliff area higher and impassable for climbing. 




Rock Formations, Bear Cave Trail

Although a short hike, this is a great place to climb early in the morning and sit on a formation and eat breakfast while taking in the valley and sights. Kids would love the rocks to climb on, and as noted earlier there are plenty here that are safe to scale. 


Atop Rock Formations at Bear Cave 

So while at Petit Jean State Park take some time and enjoy this short loop. It's near other trails in the park, so maybe this will be your morning warm-up! 

-Mike

AllTrails Recording of Bear Cave Trail, Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas



 

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