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Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Grab-bag Adventures
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Are you brave enough to stick your hand into the unknown depths of the nature grab bag and try to guess what's inside? Meet the park interpreter for this hilarious audience participation adventure…
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Nature's Cleanup Crew: The Hidden World of Dung Beetles
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Explore the vital role dung beetles play at Lake Frierson State Park, helping to recycle nutrients and maintain healthy ecosystems. Learn how these fascinating creatures contribute to the park’s…
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Women in the Woods: Backpacking the Cane Creek Lake Trail
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Sunday, September 14, 2025
You can grow your roots in Arkansas State Parks. Join the park interpreters as Lake Frierson State Park’s Women in the Woods series hits the trail for a backpacking trip at Cane Creek State Park! We…
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Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2025: Secrets of the Forest Scavenger Hunt
Saturday, September 13, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Discover the hidden wonders of Lake Frierson State Park at your own pace with a self-led scavenger hunt! Use fun clues to uncover how plants, animals, and the environment work together to create a…
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Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2025: Scales, Tails, and Survival Tools
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Sunday, September 14, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Slither into the world of snakes at your own pace with this self-guided craft! Learn how these legless reptiles survive in the wild with a fun, hands-on activity designed for scouts of all ages. Pick…
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Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2025: Paddle Through the Wild, a Self-Guided Kayak Exploration of Lake Frierson
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Sunday, September 14, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Glide across the waters of Lake Frierson on a self-guided kayak adventure and uncover the hidden world of the lake’s plants and animals. Pick up a self-guided tour sheet at the visitor center, then…
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Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2025: A Food Chain Card Game Adventure!
Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Sunday, September 14, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Test your knowledge of nature with Phases of the Forest, a fun, interactive card game inspired by the classic Phase 10! In this special version, players complete ecosystem-themed “Phases” by…
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Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2025: Secrets of the Forest Scavenger Hunt
Sunday, September 14, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Discover the hidden wonders of Lake Frierson State Park at your own pace with a self-led scavenger hunt! Use fun clues to uncover how plants, animals, and the environment work together to create a…
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Let's Go Bigfoot Hunting
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Did you know that a mighty big legend has left footprints on the history of Crowley's Ridge? It's true! Before the Boggy Creek Monster of western Arkansas, there was the Wild Man of Crowley's Ridge.…
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Dip Net Discovery
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
What tiny creatures are hiding in the waters of Lake Frierson? Join a park interpreter in this hands-on activity to discover and discuss the roles of Lake Frierson's macroinvertebrates. Wear clothes…
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Cast Iron Connections: Cooking with a Dutch Oven: Breakfast
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Gather around the fire for a hands-on cooking experience using a traditional Dutch oven. Participants will explore the history of cast iron cooking, learn basic techniques, and help prepare a tasty…
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Hike the Rainbow
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
You can discover a rainbow of colors at Lake Frierson State Park! Join the park interpreter on a color quest along the Dogwood Lane Trail (easy difficulty, 0.5-miles). Please wear tennis shoes or…
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Frog Talk – Who’s Making That Noise?
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
What’s that sound by the lake? Join a fun, hands-on program to meet the frogs of Lake Frierson State Park! Learn to identify local frogs by their calls, then use everyday items to mimic the sounds…
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There's Something Fishy Going On
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Join us to explore the anatomy of fish and the unique species found in Lake Frierson. Learn about where these fish live, how their features help them survive, and discover the diverse aquatic world…
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Kayak Birding Adventure
Sunday, September 21, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
In this tour of the lake, you can discover many different species of birds making pit-stops along their migratory journey, as well as the conservational importance of protected lakes such as this.…
Heart Healthy
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Bug Builders: Insect Collecting and Pinning
Friday, September 26, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Get up close with the tiny world of insects! In this hands-on program, young naturalists will learn how to safely collect, observe, and preserve real insects found right here in the park. We’ll…
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Fired Up for New Memories
Friday, September 26, 2025
/ 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Great memories begin with a spark. Make new memories as you join a park interpreter to learn both traditional and creative ways of starting a campfire. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather…
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Great Arkansas Cleanup
Saturday, September 27, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Join us for the Great Arkansas Cleanup, a statewide effort to keep our parks, roadsides, and waterways clean and beautiful! Help us keep Lake Frierson State Park litter-free while enjoying some of…
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Scales, Tails and Survival Tools
Saturday, September 27, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join us to discover how snakes survive without legs! Learn about their amazing adaptations, then build your own custom snake designed for life in the wild. Fun, hands-on, and perfect for children ages…
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Erosion in Motion: Protecting Lake Frierson’s Shoreline
Saturday, September 27, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Discover how wind, water, and footsteps shape Lake Frierson State Park’s landscape. Through hands-on soil experiments and a short hike, learn how erosion happens and how we can protect the park’s…
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