
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Big Ben Trail Guided Hike
Friday, October 17, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter to learn about Village Creek State Park's history, listen to the stories behind the name of Ben, and acknowledge the power your actions can have here. This is a 0.5-mile…
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The Hidden Hunt
Friday, October 17, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Nature has a secret hidden side, if you are willing to search for it. Meet a park interpreter to go on a scavenger hunt and investigate what you might miss at first glance. This program is great for…
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Not So Scary Snakes
Friday, October 17, 2025
/ 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Think all snakes are scary? Think again! In this fun, fact-filled program, students will discover the truth about snakes—how they move, why they bite (or don’t), and the important role they play at…
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Scatologist Training
Friday, October 17, 2025
/ 4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Join us for "The Scoop on Poop!" and become a scatologist at Lake Frierson State Park! Explore the fascinating world of animal scat and learn how studying it can reveal what animals eat, where they…
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The S.S.S. Experience
Friday, October 17, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Village Creek State Park’s natural beauty sets the stage for us to enjoy the perfect camping combo: The S.S.S. Experience (Sunsets, S’mores, and Songs). Join a park interpreter outside the visitor…
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Ghost Walks
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Powhatan and Northeast Arkansas have a long, rich history. Century-old buildings, the Black River, and old cemeteries play host to Powhatan’s ghost stories, folktales, and legends. What makes the…
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Saddle Up for St. Jude
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Join us in our effort to help St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We will have children's horse and wagon rides, an auction, lunch, a barbeque dinner, music, and other activities with all of the…
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Nature Hike
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for a fun and informative hike along the 1.1-mile Great Blue Heron Trail. We'll see what we can discover along the way.
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Meet a Snake
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn what the snakes of Arkansas can do for us and how they go about their everyday lives. You'll even get the chance to meet some live ones!
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Bug Builders: Insect Collecting and Pinning
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Get up close with the tiny world of insects! In this hands-on program, young naturalists will learn how to safely collect, observe, and preserve real insects found right here in the park. We’ll…
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Spinning Demonstration
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Far from just being a prop in the story of Sleeping Beauty, a spinning wheel was a common and useful piece of furniture in the homes of Territorial Arkansans. Join a park interpreter to learn how to…
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Fly Fishing 101
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Think fly fishing can only be done in world-class trout rivers? Think again! Fly fishing can be done anywhere that conventional tackle is used, but with special considerations for certain types of…
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Hide and Seek
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
For the animals at Lake Frierson State Park, how skilled you are at the game of hide and seek can mean the difference between life and death. Join the park interpreter for…
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Sunset Kayak Tour
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
One of the best ways to enjoy the lake at sunset is from inside a kayak. Whether it be paddling along the shoreline or exploring quiet coves, the beauty of the lake is worth a look. Flatwater kayaks,…
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Kayak Birding Adventure
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
In this tour of the lake, you can discover many different species of birds making pit-stops along their migratory journey, as well as the conservational importance of protected lakes such as this.…
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Echoing Footsteps Hike
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
As you walk the Military Road Trail, your footsteps echo the footsteps of the past and the future. Meet a park interpreter to learn the stories, history, and hardships of those who walked the Military…
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Early Birder Hike
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
It's early, but the birds are already up. Join a park interpreter for this leisurely hike down the Great Blue Heron Trail to try and spot some local birds and other wildlife. Bring binoculars if you…
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Mammals of Village Creek
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Have you ever felt the fur of a bobcat? Meet a park interpreter to learn about our native mammals and feel their furs. This program is great for any age!
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Geocaching 101
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
A state-wide treasure hunt? Count me in! Join a park interpreter to learn the basics of geocaching and then embark on a journey to find a hidden cache in the park. Our treasure hunt will take us on a…
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