
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Osage Ribbonwork
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Ribbonwork is a vibrant and meaningful tradition in Osage culture, used to decorate clothing and express identity. Join a park interpreter to discover the history and symbolism behind Osage…
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Mr. Whitney’s Cotton Gin
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Cotton plants grow fluffy white bolls, but you can’t just pick them and turn them into cloth. Join a park interpreter to learn how one important machine built an entire industry in the past…
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Cotton Ginning Demonstration
Saturday, November 01, 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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Wetland Safari
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle State Park’s diverse habitat is home to a wide variety of creatures. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to explore some of the players in this vital ecosystem.
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Choctaw Beadwork
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Beadwork has long been a meaningful form of cultural expression for the Choctaw people. Join a park interpreter to explore traditional designs, learn about the history and symbolism behind them, and…
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Daisy Days Festival: Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Join us at Daisy State Park for the Daisy Days Fall Festival! Enjoy a delicious peach cobbler made from scratch in a Dutch oven. We will demonstrate how to properly use, clean, and cook in a Dutch…
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The Mad Scientist's Slime Lab
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Step into the slime lab and play mad scientist this Halloween! With bubbling science and creepy creativity, you'll mix up your own Frankenslime and Ghost Ectoplasm. Wear clothes that you don't mind…
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Grab Bag Adventures
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
The diverse habitats around Lake Dardanelle State Park create many opportunities for discovery and exploration. Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to find out…
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Autumn Stargazing
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 6:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for this relaxing look up at the autumn night sky. Try and spot some constellations, shooting stars, satellites, and more. Bring a flashlight, a chair if you'd like, and dress…
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Daisy Days Festival: Night Bat Hike
Saturday, November 01, 2025
/ 7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Join us at Daisy State Park for the Daisy Days Fall Festival! Come along on our final night bat hike for the season. Walk with a park interpreter as we watch the bats of Daisy State Park feed on their…
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Wonder House Tour: Stories Set in Stone
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
What is the Wonder House? More than just a place, it’s an experience. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this unique home offers a glimpse into life nearly a century ago. Join a park…
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Pinecone Bat Craft
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Bats may be spooky, but they are also fascinating! Join a park interpreter in the Hearth Room to learn about these night flyers while creating your very own pinecone bat to take home.
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Meet a Tree
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
What would Petit Jean State Park be like without our trees? Meet a park interpreter for a short walk around the amphitheater to get to know the trees of the park, and how they shape the land around…
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"What's that Fur?"
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Can you correctly name the furs on our table? In this fun-filled game, try to be the first to name all the furs and learn about the animals they belong to with a park interpreter at Cane Creek State…
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Cotton Ginning Demonstration
Sunday, November 02, 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…
Read more
Skull Detectives
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
You may know the animals of Queen Wilhelmina State Park, but can you identify them by their skulls alone? Each one holds clues about the creature it belonged to. Join a park interpreter for a fun and…
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Mammal Animals of Petit Jean
Sunday, November 02, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
What does the fur of a black bear feel like?
Meet a park interpreter in the historic CCC Room at Mather Lodge to
discover some interesting features about the mammals of Petit Jean State Park.
You…
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What's for Lunch
Tuesday, November 04, 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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