Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Are you looking for fun activities during your visit to an Arkansas State Park? Our park interpreters routinely schedule fun, family-friendly programs that are designed to help you have a more meaningful park experience and make memories of a lifetime. We offer more than 50,000 activities each year, including guided hikes, lake tours on park boats, birding adventures, kayak tours, living history demonstrations, nature games, historic site tours, bald eagle watches, spring wildflower walks, campfires, outdoor skills workshops, A.D.E.-accredited teacher professional development, and much more — there’s something going on all the time.
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The dates, details, and admission prices in this calendar of events were submitted to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and are accurate to the best of our knowledge. We recommend that you check with local sponsors before making a trip to any event.
Thursday, April 18, 2024 - Wednesday, May 01, 2024
“In Their Wallet” tells the story of the many challenges
facing early Arkansans as they began building an economy with a sound money
system. The exhibit features money and coins…
Thursday, April 18, 2024 - Saturday, September 07, 2024
In the nineteenth century, several local residents had a wonderful talent for painting and went on to become famous nationwide for their work. In this exhibit, some of the work of different…
Thursday, April 18, 2024 - Saturday, April 20, 2024
Like today, leisure and recreation were an essential part of life for residents of Washington in the 19th century. Residents would take time to participate in many different activities to enjoy life…
Thursday, April 18, 2024 - Sunday, June 02, 2024
Solar eclipses of all types happened in
Arkansas and across the United States in the 19th century. Two
documented total solar eclipses crossed portions of Arkansas in 1834 and 1918. Learn about some…
Thursday, April 18, 2024
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The “healing” waters of Three Sisters Springs had an impact on many people from the past as they continue to be important to us today. Join a park interpreter for a trip back in time to rediscover the…
Thursday, April 18, 2024
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
This year marks a rare simultaneous emergence of two periodical cicada broods across the eastern United States. The last time this occurred was over 200 years ago! Why do cicadas only…
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Spring is the time to see pink spring beauties, yellow creeping lady’s sorrel, and purple spiderwort. Join a park interpreter to search for these and other colorful splashes of…
Heart Healthy
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Join Park Interpreter Carrie at the Slunger Creek Nature Trail to explore the wonderful wildflowers of the Ouachita Mountains. This stroll will take about 45 minutes and is about ¾-mile long. Be…
Heart Healthy
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Meet a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center to learn the tricks of the trade at this demonstration of diamond searching methods!
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
How well do you know the mammals that inhabit Queen Wilhelmina State Park? Join a park interpreter and find out a few furry facts!
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing and scenic cruise on DeGray Lake! Discover the history of the lake, wildlife, view rock outcrops and unique islands. Seating is limited—reservations can be made beginning noon the day…
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
This is a special year for the cicadas. Meet Ada the Cicada at the Nature Cabin to learn more about the year of the cicada here in Arkansas. This program will include a small craft that is fun for all…
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Have you ever seen something you wanted to take from the park, but knew you weren't supposed to? Nature journals are a great way to take something with you when you go, while not disturbing the park's…
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing and scenic cruise on DeGray Lake! Discover the history of the lake, wildlife, view rock outcrops, and unique islands. Seating is limited—reservations can be made beginning noon the…
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 6:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Lake Catherine is home to many aquatic life and mammals. Join Park Interpreter Carrie for a tour to discover some unique features that make this lake spectacular. We will take a few moments to ponder…
Heart Healthy
Friday, April 19, 2024
/ 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter around the campfire for several rounds of trivia and marshmallow roasting. Bring your nature questions! Marshmallows and roasting sticks are provided on a first-come,…
Saturday, April 20, 2024
/ 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The Great American Cleanup is a nation-wide volunteer event sponsored by Keep America Beautiful and Keep Arkansas Beautiful. Volunteers are invited to help clean up roadways, shorelines, trails, and…
Heart Healthy
Saturday, April 20, 2024
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Join a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center, lower level to walk through the search area and learn about the best places to search for diamonds. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of past…
Heart Healthy
Saturday, April 20, 2024
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Are we there yet? If you were hiking a trail or blazing your own path without the luxury of modern GPS technology, how would you know how far you had traveled or how far you had left to go to reach…