
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Fish Feeding
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Come see the fish feast! It is very entertaining and quite interesting to watch the feeding habits of fish, like a bass striking at a worm or minnow. Gather around the fish tanks and enjoy the show.
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What's for Lunch
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 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 for…
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Senior American Special: Registration and Refreshments
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
This afternoon of fellowship
begins the Senior American Special and features snacks provided by the Petit
Jean Women’s EH Club in the CCC Room and the historic lobby area of Mather
Lodge.
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Reptiles of the River
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is home to variety of wildlife, but do you ever wonder just what there is out there in the river? Are there snakes, is that a snapping turtle? Join a park interpreter in the…
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Senior American Special: A Warm Welcome
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Join the park interpreters in
the visitor center meeting room. We will call it the Meeting
Room from now on, and it’s on the right, if you’re facing the front of the
building. Get reacquainted with…
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Orionid Meteor Shower Viewing
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 11:45 p.m. - 1 a.m.
From late October through part of November, meteor showers can sometimes be viewed in the foreground of the Orion constellation. These are remnants of Halley’s comet, which passes through…
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Senior American Special: Sunrise and Snacks
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
Join
the park interpreters at Petit Jean’s Gravesite for a beautiful sunrise with a
few snacks. We will do the classic telling of the legends of Petit Jean while
here and enjoy each other’s company.…
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Burn Smart, Leave No Mark
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Campfires can warm the night and cook our meals, but they can also scar the land for years. Join a park interpreter for a guided activity about how to enjoy fire sustainably and responsibly. From…
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Senior American Special: Legacy of Mather Lodge Tour
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Join a park interpreter in the breezeway of Mather Lodge for a tour of this
architectural park gem. Discover some secrets of the past and gain insight into
the undergone changes of one of Arkansas’…
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Game Scene Investigation: GSI
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
When you walk around in nature and you see a track, do you take the track at face value as just a footprint, or do you look around to see what the big picture holds? Join a park interpreter in the…
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Senior American Special: Fly Fishing 101
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Join Arkansas Game and Fish Educator Trent Whitehead at the pool parking lot for a lesson on how to fly
fish! This program is a 1-hour long introduction to fly fishing that will inspire
you to pick up…
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Guess That Creature
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
How well do you know
the special creatures and features of Lake Ouachita State Park? Meet a park interpreter to take the "creature challenge." We see how good you at are at identifying photos,…
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Senior American Special: Build Like the CCC
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the historic CCC ball field to see more of how the
CCC men lived and worked during their time at Petit Jean State Park. A live
demonstration will be included with some of…
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Senior American Special: BINGO!
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Another year, another BINGO game! The park interpreters will be awaiting your arrival for this fun evening of BINGO, a little joking, and prizes! Bingo will be at the visitor center…
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Exploration Station: Bird Beaks
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Have you ever wondered why a hummingbird’s beak is different from a hawk’s? Discover how different birds have beaks adapted for their unique diets. At the end, you will have the option to try the…
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Senior American Special: Dutch Oven Country Breakfast Sampler
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Join the park interpreters at the visitor center meeting room to sample a 5-layer Dutch oven country breakfast. If you are allergic to Dutch ovens, sausage, hash browns, eggs, cheddar…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:15 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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Ouachita Watercolors
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Throughout time, water holds power at Lake Ouachita State Park! Discover the history and importance of Lake Ouachita and its powerful water by joining a park interpreter during this lakeside…
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Senior American Special: Tour of the WRI Arkansas Archeological Station
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The
Arkansas Archeological Survey's research station at the Winthrop Rockefeller
Institute is a place where Arkansas history is studied, preserved, and shared
with the public. Join the survey staff…
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Exploration Station: Skins, Skulls, and Scat
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Join
a park interpreter at the Exploration Station in Camp Area A to learn about the
local animals that call Lake Ouachita State Park home. Park interpreters will
have pelts, skulls, and tracks and…
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