
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Watercolor Bugs
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Cossatot River State Park is home to many tiny, crawly creatures that have colorful features and patterns. Think of a red ladybug with spots, or a beetle with a smooth, green body. Join a park…
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Turtle Talk
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Daisy State Park provides diverse habitats for all types of species large and small. Join park staff at the visitor center to discover some of the smaller creatures and what they eat in this real-life…
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Meet a Snake
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
This is your chance to meet a live snake. Join the park interpreter to learn more about the park's most misunderstood creatures and why they call this place home.
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Cotton Ginning Demonstration
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
How many of us have heard of the cotton gin? You might even know the name of the man credited with inventing the machine. But do you actually know
what a cotton gin does and how it works? Join…
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Ceremonial Site Tour
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
The Plum Bayou Mounds site is one of the largest and most impressive archeological sites in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Occupied by American Indians from about 650 to 1050 AD, this site is…
Heart Healthy
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Camping 101
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Join a park Interpreter at the open pavilion to learn the basic about camping. Set yourself up to make some great memories with family or friends.
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Eco-Artistry: Wooden Coasters
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Enjoy the scenic beauty at Lake Sylvia Recreation Area while creating a craft! At this program, you will paint your own wooden coaster made from materials found at the park. This program may be held…
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Witches' Brew
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
What would a witch or warlock put in their caldron from Pinnacle Mountain State Park to make a batch of witches' brew? Learn about local spooky plants and fungi with a park interpreter such as…
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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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Macroinvertebrates Look & Learn Table
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle has an abundance of macroinvertebrates living in the water. Stop by the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table at the visitor center to find out what some of our macroinvertebrates…
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Do You Know Butterflies?
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
How
much do you know about the butterflies of Mount Magazine State Park? Play a fun
interactive game that familiarizes you with our friends that flutter! This
program will be best enjoyed by ages…
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Trick or Treat: Arkansas Chocolate Tarantula
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
The Arkansas chocolate tarantula is the only native tarantula species in the state. As Halloween approaches, sightings of these spiders could be on the rise as males of this species migrate! Join a…
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Hidden Creatures
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 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…
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Petit Jean Campfire Legends
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Petit Jean State Park is located on mountain of legends, and it is our delight to share them with you. Gather around the campfire with a park interpreter to take in the evening ambience and a little…
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Owls of Arkansas
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Owls are expert hunters. Do you know why? Join a park interpreter to discover why owls are perfectly adapted for life in Bull Shoals-White River State Park, and which ones live at the park!
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Dutch Oven Cooking Demonstration
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the open pavilion for some tips on cooking in a Dutch oven, weather permitting. We will cover the basics of cast iron care, Dutch oven uses, and temperature control. Food…
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Star Party
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Discover the Wonders of the Night Sky! Join park staff and the Northwest Arkansas Astronomical Society at the pavilion for an
evening of stargazing. Bring your own telescope or binoculars or explore…
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Washington After Dark
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
An evening at Historic Washington State Park provides a
chance to indulge your imagination. Accompany an interpretive guide through
selected sites in Washington that have some “unexplained” happenings…
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Golf Course Safari
Saturday, October 25, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Tonight, we’ll take a caravan of golf carts out in search of nocturnal animals. Be sure to bring a flashlight! Space is limited and reservations are required. Reservations can be made…
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