
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Bear-ly Believable!
Sunday, November 16, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Throughout the spring and summer seasons, Arkansas' black bear populations have been eating everything they can find to prepare for hibernation in the winter months. Join a park interpreter to learn…
Read more
Meet a Tree
Sunday, November 16, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
What would Petit Jean State Park be like without our trees? Meet a park interpreter for a short walk around the amphitheater to get to know the trees of the park, and how they shape the land around…
Read more
Boy Scout Trail Adventure
Friday, November 21, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a hike to one of the most scenic and hidden overlooks in the park. Along the way we will explore a rock glade, identify different plants, and admire the beauty of Cedar…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Animals Found Underground
Friday, November 21, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Explore burrowing animals! Learn why animals burrow underground and how it helps them to survive. Win a cool prize by playing a game matching animals to their burrows!
Read more
Autumn Adventure Quest
Friday, November 21, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Drop by the breezeway at Mather Lodge and take on the Autumn Adventure Quest! Pick up a quest card and complete fun seasonal challenges—like spotting fall leaves, discovering wildlife clues,…
Read more
Mammal Animals of Petit Jean
Friday, November 21, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
What does the fur of a black bear feel like?
Meet a park interpreter in the historic CCC Room at Mather Lodge to
discover some interesting features about the mammals of Petit Jean State Park.
You…
Read more
Early Morning Hike on the Kingfisher Trail
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 7 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for an exclusive early morning guided hike along the Kingfisher Trail to look for a variety of critters that call Pinnacle Mountain State Park home. Please bring a flashlight…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Birding 101
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Interested in birding but not sure where to start? Join a park interpreter for an introduction to birding basics at the visitor center breezeway. We will take an easy walk around the visitor center…
Heart Healthy
Read more

"Around the Mountain" Base Trail Hike
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Join a park interpreter as we travel the base of the mountain, enjoying the beauty of the season and seeing what we can discover along the way! This trail is moderate in difficulty, make sure to bring…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Meet a Tree
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
What would Petit Jean State Park be like without our trees? Meet a park interpreter for a short walk around the amphitheater to get to know the trees of the park, and how they shape the land around…
Read more
Ceremonial Site Tour
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.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…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Tree Ring Craft and Dendrochronology
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
This program focuses on the fascinating scientific study of dendrochronology. Learn how scientists use tree rings to track tree growth and past weather events. Then create a cool craft using the rings…
Read more
Pedal and Picnic - Fall Bike Ride
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a family-friendly bike ride along the CCC Hike and Bike Trail. We’ll start at the Old Visitor Center trailhead, ride to Mather Lodge with a stop at the Lower…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Ceremonial Site Tour
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.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…
Heart Healthy
Read more

A World of Colors
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Nature is full of beautiful colors, and with those come a web of lies and deceit! Join us in the visitor center to be put to the test as we look at the many ways wildlife use colors for camouflage and…
Read more
Winter Workshop Series - Stargazing 101
Saturday, November 22, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a special evening
under the stars at Petit Jean State Park. November is one of the best months
for stargazing, with crisp air and longer nights revealing some of…
Read more
Morning Hike on the Coachwhip Trail
Sunday, November 23, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join us for an early morning hike on the Coachwhip Trail and see what we can discover while circumnavigating Middle Mountain at the heart of our park. This hike is 3-miles in length and lightly…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Rock House Cave Hike
Sunday, November 23, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter to hike to the park's archeology site, Rock House Cave. We will view American Indian rock art and discover more about the windows into the past that these images provide. This…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Autumn Discovery Series - Nature's Recyclers
Sunday, November 23, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Falling leaves don’t
just disappear, they fuel the forest. Join us to uncover how soil, fungi,
insects, and other recyclers turn autumn’s leaf litter into next spring’s
growth. Join a park interpreter…
Read more