
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Stars on the Summit
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 8 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
What conditions are needed to view the planets and constellations in the night sky? Queen Wilhelmina State Park checks all the boxes! Join a park interpreter to take in the night sky through the lens…
Read more
Rings Over Magazine: Saturn Viewing
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 10 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturn will be visible in Mount Magazine’s remarkably dark skies! Try to catch a glimpse of those iconic rings with a park interpreter from Cameron
Bluff Overlook! Be sure to dress in seasonally…
Read more
Paint The Prairie
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join museum staff for a creative art-filled hour of painting
the prairie landscape. Study the wide-open sky of the Arkansas Grand Prairie,
vistas of brilliant blue sky, waves of emerald-green grasses…
Read more
Nature vs. Nurture
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
From instincts to experience, animals at Lake Dardanelle State Park learn what it takes to survive. Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to discover how…
Read more
Legends of Petit Jean
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Petit Jean, a strange and fascinating mountain with many natural wonders, but that isn’t all that is fascinating. Meet a park interpreter to discover some stories surrounding the naming of this…
Read more
Hiking Tips: Are You Ready?
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Are you prepared for your hike at Lake Fort Smith State Park? Do you have the equipment and skills necessary for a fun and safe hike? Meet a park interpreter to discover more about…
Read more
Hiking Skills: Map and Compass
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for a hands-on demonstration and exercise of using a map and compass. This program will allow you the opportunity to properly utilize a topographic map for better preparedness…
Read more
Nature Field Guides
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Have you ever found a leaf that you didn't recognize? Or couldn't tell if the tracks you found belonged to a skunk, opossum, or raccoon? Join a park interpreter to make your own nature field guide for…
Read more
Keys to the Kingfisher Hike
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter as we meander along the shore of the Little Maumelle River along the Kingfisher Trail, learning about the local flora and fauna that make up this unique wetland…
Heart Healthy
Read more

In Search of the White River Monster
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for a hike along the beach and learn about the history of White River Monster sightings while watching for items that may have been mistaken for this mythical monster in the…
Read more
Find Your Way With a Map!
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Do you know how to use a map and compass? If you were lost without cell phone signal, could you find your way back to a road? Join a park interpreter for an introduction into wayfinding skills with…
Read more
Mysterious Forest Objects Tabletop
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Look at some mysterious objects found in
the forest around Hobbs, see if you can identify them, then learn more about
them. A 15-minute program begins every half hour. Come and go as you
please.
Read more
Bird Nest Builders
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Birds ranging in size from the large Bald Eagle all the way to the tiny sparrows make their homes at Mississippi River State Park. Have you ever wondered if these different kinds of birds make…
Read more
Connect the Pollinator
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Curious about what pollinator is best suited for what plant? What colors attract bees or butterflies? What are host plants? Join a park interpreter to connect the dots on all things pollinators at…
Read more
Light It Up
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The power of the Arkansas River lights up your world and life in the river valley every day. Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to learn how the Arkansas River…
Read more
The Storyteller's Bag
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Native American stories unlock the secrets of the natural world! Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to hear Native American stories and the secrets they tell us about life at Village Creek…
Read more
What's for Lunch
Saturday, September 20, 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…
Read more
In-Seine Adventure
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
The Arkansas River creates many opportunities for enjoyment as it journeys through Lake Dardanelle. What all lives in the lake besides fish and turtles? Well, here is your chance to find out. We will…
Read more
Talk Like A Sailor 101
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered where some of the phrases we use came from? Surprisingly, many originated from steamboat lingo. Join a park interpreter and learn how these phrases may or may not have changed…
Read more
Nature Sun Catcher
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Learn about plants and get creative! Create a nature sun catcher to hang in your home!
Read more