Petit Jean 2026 Rally Information

AR MVPA Petit Jean MV Rally
Updated August 8, 2026
Click the registration link and mail your completed form/payment to Marsha Jones-Casey at the address on the form. Pre-registration will allow us to get a better head count for the rally.
All Petit Jean Military Vehicle Rallies will be held on the week of the 4th Saturday of September. The Rally takes place at the same time as the Petit Jean Fall Swap Meet & Car Show on the grounds of the Museum of Automobiles.

General Information:
We request that everyone that plans to participate PLEASE send in a registration form so we can plan ahead! There is no charge for military vehicle registration or for display set ups. Free camping on-site is also available (no hookups), and swap meet spaces are available to ARMVPA members for a fee. Please check in at the Foxhole Store (located in the Quonset Hut) when you arrive to confirm your registration, get name tag(s) and ID cards for any displays. Any payment due can be sent with the registration form or paid in the Foxhole Store when you arrive.
No live firearms are allowed!
This is a family friendly event. Foul language or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated! No alcohol.  There are trail rides scheduled mid-morning on Friday and Saturday. Trail rides will be on maintained roads with stops at a scenic spot on the mountain. Anyone displaying a military vehicle is invited to participate; if you do not have a vehicle, this is a good opportunity to introduce yourself and ask to ride along!
The Foxhole Store could use donation items to sell. Any item (of good taste) you think might sell is acceptable: knickknacks, collectables (new or used), military items, vehicle parts, etc. Just decide on the selling price you think is fair. All items will be appreciated. Bring them to the Foxhole Store at the rally.
Money earned from the Foxhole store goes toward the electrical expenses and rental of the Port-a-Potties.

Gate Access:
Access to the AR MVPA Petit Jean Rally is through the gate at the east end of the show field. (35.129750, -92.883901) There will be a sign at the gate indicating “AR MVPA ONLY”. If you are trailering or driving a military vehicle you won’t have any trouble getting through the gate. Otherwise, let us know you’re a member. If you need to unload a military vehicle, feel free to pull onto the show field to unload. Other members should be around and ready to assist if needed and direct you to where show vehicles should be parked. There is free parking for your privately owned vehicles and trailers at the north end of the field (north of the gravel road).

The gate will be closed at 10:00 PM and re-opened at 7:00 AM each morning for security and in observance of Quiet Hours for those camping on site! The gate is closed with a chain that has a snap-hook at one end. If you must arrive after 10:00 PM, we are still glad you came, but please be as quiet as you can in respect of others and re-hook the gate chain behind you.

Military Vehicle and Military Displays:
Military vehicles and related displays are encouraged to set up around the perimeter of the show field to maximize the visibility to visitors. Every military vehicle needs to have an ID card placed on the vehicle that you can pick up in the Foxhole Store at registration. This card lets visitors know what the vehicle is and who it belongs to. These cards provide important information for visitors and the judges.

Field Kitchen:
The AR MVPA Field Kitchen will be set up to serve meals to participants on Friday and Saturday. These meal times are a good chance to take a break in the shade and visit! Tables and chairs are provided or you can bring your own. There is no service charge for the Field Kitchen (you must be an ARMVPA member, vendor or displaying at the rally to eat from the Field Kitchen). Donations will be appreciated to help pay for the food (look for the donation duck in the Foxhole). Meals are served on Friday (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and Saturday (breakfast and lunch).
At other times, participants are encouraged to use the food vendors in the museum swap meet next door or visit one of several restaurants located nearby on Petit Jean Mountain.

Swap Meet:
We have swap meet spaces that available to club members: $40.00 for the 3-day event. These fees help pay for rally expenses including food, Port-a-Potties and electricity. The swap meet area is under the pine trees on the east side of the rally field. Most vendors reserve their spaces in advance, so it is important to check in at the Foxhole Store before you set up to make sure you occupy the right spot!
Swap meet spaces will be flagged-out on the Sunday before the event. Aisles are marked with fence posts and each space marked with wire flags at each corner.
The volunteer swap meet coordinator for the AR MVPA is Dave Hopkins 501-813-6746. Dave will be set up to the right of the entrance and should be nearby on Thursday through Saturday to assist.

Camping
There is no charge for camping on-site. Members and their guests are encouraged to camp out at the Rally, socialize with other members and assist us with maintaining security at night. Campers are invited to set up their camp sites under the pine trees at the east end of the field, anywhere behind the flagged swap meet spaces. There are no hookups available and no fires are allowed! No generators are allowed, and quiet hours will be observed from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. If you want to camp and have a
special need, get with Dave Hopkins (phone or text) 501-813-6746.

Directions:
From I-40 take Exit 108 at Morrilton. Turn south on Hwy 9. Follow the signs to Petit Jean State Park or the Automobile Museum. Take Hwy. 9 South across the AR river bridge to Oppelo (approximately 2 miles). Turn West (right) at the caution light in Oppelo onto Hwy 154 toward Petit Jean Mountain (it is appr oximately 5 miles to the mountain). The rally turn is at the east gate (first gate you will come to) of the Museum of Autos swap meet grounds. The AR MVPA rally is just inside the gate. The Foxhole and kitchen trailer are set up by the pavilion. Gate coordinates: 35.129750, -92.883901

Some Lodging in the area:
Cedar Falls Motel: this is just a block or so from the rally grounds. 501-727-5636. It is a family (and military friendly) motel. Call to confirm prices and registrations.
Mather Lodge and Cabins: 800-264-2462 or 501-727-5604. Cabins and rooms. Availability varies and early reservations are recommended.
Petit Jean Campground is available at Petit Jean State Park, just a few miles up the road. Full hookups are available (water/electric). To make reservations call: 501-727-5441.
Morrilton:
1. Super 8 by Wyndham – 501-242-5921
2. Holiday Inn Express – 501-215-4924
3. Morrilton Inn – 501.354.5101
4. American Inn – 501-354-0181

Schedule of Events: September 24-26, 2026
Petit Jean Rally – Tentative Schedule of Events
Thursday,  September, 24 – workday for members (8:30 a.m. until early afternoon) – set up Foxhole and Field Kitchen. 

Thursday

  • 7:30 to 10:30.  Event Setup (help needed).
  • 10:30 to mid afternoon.  Registration/Foxhole opens
  • 5:00 PM.  Casually organized trail ride to a local restaurant for dinner.  No food is served on the rally field Thursday.  If you would like to feed everyone burgers or something, let us know.

FRIDAY

  • 7:30-8:30.  Flag raisiing and breakfast in the field kitchen.
  • 8:30 to 11:30.  Registration, Trail Ride, Foxhole Open, Swap Meet Open, Fellowship, etc.
  • 12:00-1:00.  Luch in the Fild Kitchen.
  • 1:00-6:00.  Swap Meet open.  Vehicle and Military Displays.  Fellowship.  Loosely orgainzed vehicle demonstrations, trail ride, etc.
  • 6:00.  Supper in the Field Kitchen.

Saturday

  • 7:30-8:30.  Flag Raising.  Breakfast in the Field Kitchen.
  • 8:30.  Fox Hole Opens.  Swap Meet, Field Activities, Fellowship, Etc.
  • 10:30.  Trail Ride.
  • 10:30-11:30.  Vehicle and Display Judging.
  • 12:00-1:00.  Lunch, Awards, Brief Club Meeting, Tear Down.

Web site for the Antique Automobile Museum and Swap Meet is: www.museumofautos.com