
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Preserving the Legacy
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a special 2-hour open self-guided tour of the 1872 Courthouse Museum! Learn how Jacksonport became the county seat, what the building was used for after the county seat…
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Fur Trapping and Trading
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join a park interpreter in the exhibit area of the visitor center to learn more about one way to make a living in Arkansas Territory! Fur trapping and trading was an important part of the economy in…
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Snapshot of Nature: Lake Frierson BioBlitz
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join us for a BioBlitz at Lake Frierson State Park! Learn how to use iNaturalist, explore different habitats, and help us document the incredible biodiversity right here in the park. Whether you’re a…
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Echoing Footsteps Hike
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 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…
Heart Healthy
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Golf Cart Safari: Life on the Edge
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
What is it like to live on Crowley's Ridge? Join the park interpreter on a golf cart safari to see how The Ridges golf course fits into the mission of Village Creek State Park and discover the animals…
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Pollinators and their 'Buds'
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn about the wildflowers and pollinators of Village Creek State Park, then create a take-home paper flower memento. This program is fun for the whole family.
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What's the Catch?
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Do fish have a sixth sense? Meet a park interpreter to discover how fish use their senses to navigate their underwater world. We will make a paper fish craft, all while uncovering the secret…
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Nature's Cleanup Crew: The Hidden World of Dung Beetles
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Explore the vital role dung beetles play at Lake Frierson State Park, helping to recycle nutrients and maintain healthy ecosystems. Learn how these fascinating creatures contribute to the park’s…
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Scales, Tails and Survival Tools
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Join us to discover how snakes survive without legs! Learn about their amazing adaptations, then build your own custom snake designed for life in the wild. Fun, hands-on, and perfect for children ages…
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Firebuilding 101
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
What are the three essential things a fire needs to thrive? Join a park interpreter at Lake Poinsett State Park and learn about fire building and safety. We might even have a few campfire stories to…
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Fire Building Basics
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
What’s a camping trip without a campfire? From making s’mores to sharing campfire stories, sitting around a campfire can spark lifelong memories. Join a park interpreter to learn…
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The Guides Above Us
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.
In the dark skies of Village Creek State Park, you find eternal guides. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to hear stories about the guides in the sky, lessons these guides have taught…
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Birding Hike
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Join a park interpreter on a hike to look for some local feathered flyers. Discover fun facts about these park residents and weary travelers as we identify them. Bring water and binoculars if you have…
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Survival Shelter Building
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
What are the main things we need to survive a night out in the woods? Learn these and different shelter types that will work in different situations. Join a park interpreter at Lake Poinsett State…
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Mammals of Lake Charles
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Join the park interpreter to learn about some of the local furbearing residents that call the park home. You will have the opportunity to feel the furs of various mammals as we discuss their…
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Trick or Treat at Village Creek
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Join Village Creek State Park and the Cross County Chamber of Commerce for Trick or Treat at Village Creek State Park. Local businesses will sponsor each campsite, providing decorations and candy for…
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Discovery Hike
Sunday, October 26, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for an easy hike down the Pale Wood Trail where we will discover what nature has in store. Feel free to bring binoculars, field guides, and your nature questions! Closed-toe…
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Big Ben Trail Guided Hike
Sunday, October 26, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.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…
Heart Healthy
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Preserving the Legacy
Sunday, October 26, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a special 2-hour open self-guided tour of the 1872 Courthouse Museum! Learn how Jacksonport became the county seat, what the building was used for after the county seat…
Read more