
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Woodland Wandering
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter at the Bear Cave trailhead for a woodland wandering along the Boy Scout Trail. We will hike along the Boy Scout Trail across the Wild Hog Crossing and explore the…
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10-Minute Petit Jean Skills
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Want to level up your campfire game? Stop inside the Historic Mather Lodge where you’ll learn essential outdoor skills in just 10 minutes at a time! Whether it’s building the perfect camp,…
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Branching Out: Oaktober Celebration
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a 0.5-mile hike through the Arkansas Arboretum trail for an "Oaktober" celebration! Learn more about some of the different kinds of oak trees on the trail and how they…
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Birding 101
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.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…
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Cotton Ginning Demonstration
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
How many of us have heard of the cotton gin? You might even know the name of the man credited with inventing the machine. But do you actually know
what a cotton gin does and how it works? Join…
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Ceremonial Site Tour
Sunday, October 12, 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…
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The History of Lake Sylvia with Guest Speaker - Timothy Nutt
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Join the Max Milam Library and our esteemed guest speaker, Timothy Nutt, in exploring the rich history of Lake Sylvia and Camp Ouachita! Tim Nutt is a Director and Professor at UAMS Historical…
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Flintknapping Demonstration
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Ever wonder how ancient Archaic and Mississippian people made stone tools like arrowheads, axes, and knives? Join a park interpreter at the demonstration area, behind the visitor center, to learn…
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Woolly Cabin Tour
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Love history? Join a park interpreter to learn more about our local history while touring the 143-year-old Woolly Cabin! The inside of the cabin can only be viewed during tours, so don’t…
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What Makes a Great Oak Tree? - Oaktober Celebration
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
What makes an oak tree an oak tree? Who relies on oak trees as habitat or for food? Join a park interpreter to learn more about the different kinds of oak trees in Arkansas and how they're…
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Mammal Animals of Petit Jean
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 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…
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Park-casso
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to make a unique connection with the historic Woolly Cabin. After a brief tour of this 1882 home, you will use watercolor to become a "Park-casso" and capture the scenery of…
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Falling Leaves
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn more about why the leaves at Woolly Hollow State Park change color and fall from trees as well as why this process is important to our park’s ecosystem. We will take a…
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Woolly Mammals
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Have you ever felt the fur of a bobcat? Meet a park interpreter at the Woolly Cabin to learn about our native mammals and feel their furs. This program is great for any age and will last around…
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Watch Your Step!
Thursday, October 16, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Soil, grass, ants, dwarf toads; there is a lot to discover right under your feet! Join a park interpreter at the main Huckleberry Nature trailhead (trailhead nearest to campsites, on the left) to…
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Woolly Cabin Tour
Thursday, October 16, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Love history? Join a park interpreter to learn more about our local history while touring the 143-year-old Woolly Cabin! The inside of the cabin can only be viewed during tours, so don’t…
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Sight, Flight, Animals Who Bite
Thursday, October 16, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Some animals can see ultraviolet colors, and some can blend into plain sight, but why? Join a park interpreter at the Lake Center to discover common animal adaptations and how they are used.…
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Cabin Trail Hike
Friday, October 17, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for an easy 0.5-mile hike along the Cabin Trail. This trail is a great introduction to the history, recreation opportunities, and native flora and fauna of Woolly Hollow State…
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Birding 101
Friday, October 17, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Meet a park interpreter to learn about the different species of birds found at Woolly Hollow State Park. Together we will learn common species, practice listening for calls, take a short walk to spot…
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