Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Are you looking for fun activities during your visit to an Arkansas State Park? Our park interpreters routinely schedule fun, family-friendly programs that are designed to help you have a more meaningful park experience and make memories of a lifetime. We offer more than 50,000 activities each year, including guided hikes, lake tours on park boats, birding adventures, kayak tours, living history demonstrations, nature games, historic site tours, bald eagle watches, spring wildflower walks, campfires, outdoor skills workshops, A.D.E.-accredited teacher professional development, and much more — there’s something going on all the time.
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The dates, details, and admission prices in this calendar of events were submitted to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism and are accurate to the best of our knowledge. We recommend that you check with local sponsors before making a trip to any event.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
/ 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Kids ages 15 and younger are invited to try their luck at our annual fishing derby on Lake Bennett! Trophies will be awarded in three age groups for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Bring your own…
Saturday, April 27, 2024
/ 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Discover astronomy with members of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society. Clouds permitting, the evening's telescopic sights typically will include several planets, the moon, and other celestial…
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Beginners
and seasoned birders alike are invited to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by
enjoying walks and lake outings at the park to discover what birds happen to fly
by.
Heart Healthy
Saturday, May 18, 2024
/ 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Discover astronomy with members of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society. Clouds permitting, the evening's telescopic sights typically will include several planets, the moon, and other celestial…
Monday, May 27, 2024
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Honoring military service men and women who are no longer with us dates back to the end of the Civil War. Memorial Day traditions have changed over time, but we will never forget those…
Saturday, June 01, 2024
/ 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Celebrate and enjoy Petit Jean’s 20-plus miles of trails! This day is filled with hikes and hiking related programs for all ages. Contact the park for a schedule. This event corresponds with American…
Heart Healthy
Saturday, June 01, 2024
/ 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Discover astronomy with members of the Central Arkansas Astronomical Society. Clouds permitting, the evening's telescopic sights typically will include several planets, the moon, and other celestial…
Friday, June 07, 2024 - Sunday, June 09, 2024
It's time to celebrate one of the most beneficial and misunderstood creatures in the world: BATS! Join us this weekend for the 34th Annual Bat-A-Rama to check out some bat-focused programs to learn…
Friday, June 07, 2024 - Sunday, June 09, 2024
Find out what fish are swimming in Lake Fort Smith! Enjoy the free fishing weekend in Arkansas and Lake Fort Smith State Park without fishing licenses or trout permits. Regulations for Arkansas…
Heart Healthy
Saturday, June 08, 2024
/ 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hook, line, and sinker! See if you can catch a fish at Petit Jean State Park. The derby is open to children ages 15 and under. Parents are welcome to help, but the kids must do the fishing. Bring your…
Saturday, June 08, 2024
/ 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Find out what fish are swimming in Lake Fort Smith! All ages can enjoy the free fishing weekend in Arkansas and Lake Fort Smith State Park without fishing licenses. Regulations for Arkansas waters…
Saturday, June 08, 2024
/ 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Kick off Arkansas' Free Fishing Weekend by joining us in the field next to the playground to brush up on your casting! We will have a casting competition, and several games and challenges as we…
Saturday, June 22, 2024
/ 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join us for the 2024 Kids' Fishing Derby here at Devil's Den State Park. Registration for the derby begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Café Pavilion. Fishing begins after registration at 9 a.m. Prizes will be…
Thursday, July 04, 2024
/ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Join the park staff for an “old-fashioned” celebration of our nation’s birthday! Numerous enjoyable, family-oriented games, contests, and other activities are offered. Contact the park for a…
Heart Healthy
Thursday, July 04, 2024
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Celebrations of our nation’s independence have taken place for decades. Independence Day traditions have changed slightly over time. Join us today as we celebrate the 248th birthday of our…
Saturday, August 31, 2024 - Sunday, September 01, 2024
/ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The annual Clothesline Fair will take place over Labor Day weekend and features vendors selling and demonstrating handmade crafts, and local children competing in a square dancing competition.…
Monday, September 02, 2024
/ 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The annual Clothesline Fair will take place over Labor Day weekend and features vendors selling and demonstrating handmade crafts, and local children competing in a square dancing competition.…
Saturday, September 07, 2024
/ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Arkansas
wouldn’t be what it is today without agriculture, and agriculture wouldn’t be
what it is today without tractors. Plantation
Agriculture Museum State Park invites you to visit and meet some of…
Saturday, September 28, 2024
/ 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Help keep Petit Jean State Park clean and litter free! Join us for a few hours of litter pickup and be rewarded with a free cookout lunch. Following lunch there is a door prize giveaway for…
Heart Healthy
Saturday, October 12, 2024
/ 4 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Join us at Devil's Den State Park to celebrate the fall season like it's the 1930s! Much like the families that lived during the Great Depression, the era that our park was built by the Civilian…