
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Makin' Tracks
Sunday, December 14, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Tracks, tracks everywhere, but not an animal in sight. That's ok! The tracks of animals can tell us a lot about how they live, how they look, and most importantly, where they've been! Meet a park…
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Winter Crafting with a Park Interpreter
Sunday, December 14, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Get crafty with a park interpreter at Pinnacle Mountain State Park as we learn more about the park and its changes throughout the seasons!
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Pelican Party
Sunday, December 14, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center for a celebration of one of Lake Dardanelle State Park's most surprising seasonal visitors - the American white pelican!…
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Marsh Mystery
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
As the Arkansas River journeys through Lake Dardanelle, it continually shapes the land and creates opportunities for people like you. We have to be careful when enjoying these opportunities that we…
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Hidden Creatures
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Humans wear camouflage to blend in while hunting and sometimes just for style, but animals have to use camouflage to survive in the wild. Meet a park interpreter in the visitor center Orientation Room…
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Cherokee Games
Thursday, December 18, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Have you ever wondered about the daily lives of the Cherokee who inhabited this area before removal, long before this area was a park? Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the…
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Legacy of Mather Lodge
Friday, December 19, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter 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’ most treasured landmarks.
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Catch of the Day
Friday, December 19, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Thanks to the healthy fishery of Lake Dardanelle, you can experience the thrill of nature and the success of the catch. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to…
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Backyard Bird Cafe
Friday, December 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Winter is a beautiful time of year at Cane Creek State Park, and part of that beauty comes from the multitude of birds that migrate here in the cooler months. The best way to see these fascinating…
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Legends of Petit Jean
Friday, December 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.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…
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What's Up? A Deeper Look At Mount Magazine's Dark Skies
Friday, December 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mount Magazine State Park's very dark skies are quite an experience for both heart and mind. With the help of a park interpreter, take a deeper look into “the anatomy” of the vast space that is so…
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Make a Snowflake
Friday, December 19, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Relax and unwind as you learn about snow while making a fun and festive craft! Engage in a brief program with a park interpreter about the science of snow. Then enjoy crafting a beautiful snowflake…
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Eagle Measure Up
Saturday, December 20, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Bald eagles are incredible not only for their beauty and speed but for their size as well. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the park to learn about the bald eagles that call Lake…
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Grab Bag Adventures
Saturday, December 20, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
The diverse habitats around Lake Dardanelle State Park create many opportunities for discovery and exploration. Meet a park interpreter at the visitor center Orientation Room to find out what is in…
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Tools of Survival
Saturday, December 20, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
How did early Arkansans survive without modern tools? Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to explore the traditional tools and weapons used for…
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Canstellations
Saturday, December 20, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Learn about the importance of the night sky here at Cane Creek State Park. Then take trash and turn it into a neat star-gazing decoration with the park interpreter. All materials are provided.
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Finding Woody
Sunday, December 21, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to discover the many woodpeckers that make Petit Jean State Park their home. The program will include a short walk by Lake
Bailey for a chance to see a few. Bring…
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Knots and Navigation
Sunday, December 21, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Meet Park Interpreter Carrie to put your knot tying skills to the test. Then join in to find a hidden spot using your navigation abilities. This program lasts about 30 minutes.
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Duck, Duck Goose
Sunday, December 21, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor enter to learn about the unique traits of waterfowl and their habitats at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Discover how conservation…
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