Discover Events
Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Daybreak Diamond Tour
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9 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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Winter Birding Basics
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Winter is prime time for spotting migratory birds at Village Creek State Park! Join a park interpreter to learn the basics of birding, then put your skills to the test as we look for birds in and…
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Fashion a Fish
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Learn about the wide variety of shapes and sizes of fish that live in Lake Dardanelle due to its health and diversity. Join a park interpreter in the Weigh-In Pavilion and create a fish of your…
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The Storyteller's Bag
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Native American stories unlock the secrets of the natural world. Join a park interpreter to hear Native American stories and discover the secrets they tell us about life at Village Creek State Park.
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Leave No Trace
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Come to the amphitheater to learn how to practice the seven ethical principles of Leave No Trace and how they apply to Lake Catherine State Park. By practicing Leave No Trace, we can become…
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What's for Lunch?
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s…
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Crumpled Watershed
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The watershed surrounding Lake Dardanelle is the backbone for the Arkansas River as the river journeys through the lake creating opportunities for people like you. Join a park interpreter in the…
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Mammals of Cossatot River
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Are you ready to discover the wild side of Cossatot River State Park? Stop by the falls to investigate the diverse wildlife of the area with a park interpreter! This is a come and go station.
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Herptile Bingo
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Lake Catherine State Park is home to many herptiles - amphibians and reptiles! Meet a park interpreter at the nature cabin to play this fun game and learn all about these fascinating animals.
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Nosey Nelly
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Learning not to use our eyes and rely on other senses is difficult for some. It can be a very rewarding experience if we give it a chance. Join a park interpreter in the visitor center…
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What's the Catch?
Saturday, January 03, 2026
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 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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Grab Bag Adventures
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Are you brave enough to stick your hand into the unknown contents of a nature grab bag and try to guess what's inside? Meet a park interpreter to discover many unique resources at Village Creek State…
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All Tied Up
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
By learning basic knot tying skills, you can learn to set up your campsite quickly and efficiently. Meet a park interpreter in the visitor center orientation room to learn how to tie a few basic knots…
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Arkansas Trivia
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin for a fun game of Arkansas Trivia. Put your knowledge to the test and compete with other teams for prizes!
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One Fish, Two Fish
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Learn how the fish survive here at Devil's Den State Park and make your own 3D paper fish!
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Mammals of Village Creek
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Have you ever felt the fur of a bobcat? Meet a park interpreter to learn about many of the diverse mammal species that call Village Creek State Park home in this hands-on fur showcase.
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Feel the Furs
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what a deer feels like? What about a bear? Come explore the world of animal furs with a park interpreter at the trailhead.
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Camouflaged Critters
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
When exploring the park, critters can be hard to spot. Learn about the different types of camouflaged that our critters can use.
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Pioneer Play
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to discover what pioneer kids did to pass the time while the exploration and progress of their parents forged the culture you…
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Dendrochronology Detectives
Sunday, January 04, 2026
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Trees can reveal the mysteries of the past. Put your detective skills to the test and learn how to decode the ancient secrets of trees with a park interpreter. This cryptic case will take place…
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