
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Daybreak Diamond Tour
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 7:30 a.m. - 8 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…
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Bear Aware
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
What are American black bears doing this time of year? Stop by to investigate the life of a black bear with a park interpreter and learn how you can be bear aware. This is a come-and-go station.
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Art in the Park
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Memories are made here at Lake Catherine State Park! Join a park interpreter at the swim beach to discuss the natural beauty of Lake Catherine during this lakeside painting activity.
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Diamond Mining 101
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center to learn the tricks of the trade at this demonstration of diamond searching methods!
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Wonder House Tour: Stories Set in Stone
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
What is the Wonder House? More than just a place, it’s an experience. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this unique home offers a glimpse into life nearly a century ago. Join a park…
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Safety Sense
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
With the right knowledge, you can be prepared for anything! Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn how to identify poisonous plants and how to feel confident on any outdoor adventure.
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Pinecone Bat Craft
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Bats may be spooky, but they are also fascinating! Join a park interpreter in the Hearth Room to learn about these night flyers while creating your very own pinecone bat to take home.
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Eagle Watch Cruise
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Looking for an adventure? Join a park interpreter for a guided eagle-watching cruise on DeGray Lake. We will spend the hour searching for wintering bald eagles, ospreys, loons, herons, grebes, ducks,…
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Owl's Last Supper
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
It's dissection time! Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin to discover the owls of Lake Catherine State Park and what makes them so special. We will be dissecting real owl pellets to take a…
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Skull Detectives
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
You may know the animals of Queen Wilhelmina State Park, but can you identify them by their skulls alone? Each one holds clues about the creature it belonged to. Join a park interpreter for a fun and…
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Silent Flight
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Silently, swiftly and skillfully, owls fly over our heads at night. Have you ever wondered why owls are so different from other birds? Learn about the interesting adaptation of owls that help our…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, November 06, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center to learn the tricks of the trade at this demonstration of diamond searching methods!
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Match that Mammal
Thursday, November 06, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin to test your knowledge of mammals! We will be using a combination of tracks and furs to identify some of the mammals found here at the park.
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Snakes of Arkansas
Thursday, November 06, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin for a creative introduction to snakes! Learn how to identify the venomous snakes of Arkansas. Participants will have the opportunity to see a speckled…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, November 06, 2025
/ 12:30 p.m. - 12:45 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!
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Discovery Hike
Friday, November 07, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Join a park interpreter on the Slunger Creek Nature Trail to explore the sights and sounds Lake Catherine State Park has to offer. This stroll takes about 30 minutes and is about 3/4-mile long. Be…
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Know Your Knots
Friday, November 07, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
The difference between a great fishing experience and a sour fishing experience at Lake Catherine State Park may rely on your knowledge of knots. Join a park interpreter to discover how to make your…
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Mammals of the Mountain
Friday, November 07, 2025
/ 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.
How well do you know the mammals of Queen Wilhelmina State Park? Join a park interpreter to discover some fascinating (and furry) facts about the animals that call this mountain home!
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Build a Bird Feeder
Friday, November 07, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Did you know you can make simple bird feeders using items found in nature? We'll demonstrate how to make one to take home! Meet a park interpreter at the nature cabin for this fun activity.
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Owl Pellet Dissection: The Leftovers Lab
Friday, November 07, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Many meat-eating birds, like owls, have an interesting way of dealing with unwanted parts of their food. Join a park interpreter for a closer look at owl pellets, nature’s version of a mystery puzzle.…
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