
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Huckleberry Nature Hike
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for a 3.5-mile guided hike around Lake Bennett to become more acquainted with the native flora and fauna seen in the park. This is a moderate hike and is expected to last…
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Meandering on the Mountain: Base Trail Hike
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park's Base Trail traverses through beautiful deciduous and evergreen forests, skirts the banks of the Little Maumelle River, and acts as a connector for other trails…
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Birding Hike
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Join a park interpreter on a hike to look for some local feathered flyers. Discover fun facts about these park residents and weary travelers as we identify them. Bring water and binoculars if you have…
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Legends of Petit Jean
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Petit Jean, a strange and fascinating mountain with many natural wonders, but that isn’t all that is fascinating. Meet a park interpreter to discover some stories surrounding the naming of this…
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The Story of the Jackson Guards
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Made up of the best young men of Jackson County, the Jackson Guards, Company G, left Jacksonport with great fanfare May 5th, 1861, the day before Arkansas seceded from the Union. Young and…
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Trail of Tears Guided Hike
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter to learn about the
history of the Old Military Road Trail, which includes hiking along Arkansas’
most intact section of the Trail of Tears. This is a 1.5-mile moderate hike.…
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Archeological Site Tram Tour
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
The Plum Bayou Mounds site is
one of the largest and most impressive archeological sites in the Lower Mississippi River
Valley. Occupied
by American
Indians from about 650 to 1050 AD, this site is…
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Tin Soldier Casting Demonstration
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tin is a metal that has been used for millennia for all kinds of items from plates and cups to jewelry and toys. Join a park interpreter to see how people 200 years ago would have melted down metal…
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Boy Scout Trail Adventure
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for a hike down a small section of the Boy Scout Trail. This hike will lead us up along the canyon for a spectacular view of the Cedar Creek canyon. Be sure to wear sturdy…
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State Park Explorers: Discover, Protect, and Connect
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join the park interpreter on a fun-filled adventure to become a State Park Explorer! This interactive program is designed for kids ages 6–14 to explore what state parks are, learn how to stay safe,…
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Animal Signs Hike
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Sometimes we don't see the animals that live at Lake Poinsett State Park because they're nocturnal or good at hiding. How else can we see signs of these critters at the park? Join a park interpreter…
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Pearling and Shelling on the White River
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Discover the fascinating world of White River pearling as the residents of Jacksonport experienced it at the turn of the 20th century. See the equipment used by divers and learn about the multitude of…
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Finding Woody
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to discover the many woodpeckers that make Petit Jean State Park their home. The program will include a short walk by Lake
Bailey for a chance to see a few. Bring…
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Animal Myths
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Many myths and misconceptions surround our local wildlife. Are you really as blind as a bat? Do you take advice from a groundhog that predicts seasons? Do you still think that wart came from a frog or…
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Learning Leaves
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Identify the many types of trees at Lake Sylvia by their leaves with the help of a park interpreter. Create a colorful leaf collage to show off your knowledge!
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Hikers and Snakes
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for helpful hints about snakes you may meet on the
trails of Petit Jean State Park. Learn about venomous
and non-venomous species and how to tell the difference, plus some tips…
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Safety With A Splash
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
"Water" your plans on the river this summer? Join a park interpreter to learn how to keep the fun going by taking some simple steps to avoid common water hazards.
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Kayak Fishing
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Combine two of Lake Frierson State Park's most popular activities into one grand adventure! Join the park interpreter and cast your line out from a kayak to discover Arkansas sportfish species in…
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Grab Bag Adventures
Saturday, July 05, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
What's that strange thing in the bag? We often use our senses of smell, sight, and hearing to experience the outdoors, but what about our sense of touch? Join a park interpreter for this fun…
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