
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Early Birder Hike
Sunday, September 14, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
It's early, but the birds are already up. Join a park interpreter for this leisurely hike down the Great Blue Heron Trail to try and spot some local birds and other wildlife. Bring binoculars if you…
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Scenic Lake Tour
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
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Scenic Lake Tour
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
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Find Your Way With a Map!
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Do you know how to use a map and compass? If you were lost without cell phone signal, could you find your way back to a road? Join a park interpreter for an introduction into wayfinding skills with…
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Build a Bee Hotel
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
How many bees can you name? There are so many more bees than honeybees and bumblebees, and most of them are solitary bees. They need homes and temporary "hotels" to stay at on their journeys to…
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Fire Building 101
Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
What are the three essential things a fire needs to thrive? Join a park interpreter at Lake Poinsett State Park and learn about fire building and safety. We might even have a few campfire stories to…
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Discovery Hike
Sunday, September 21, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for an easy hike down the Pale Wood Trail where we will discover what nature has in store. Feel free to bring binoculars, field guides, and your nature questions! Closed-toe…
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Nighttime Critters Night Hike
Friday, September 26, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Most of the critters living at Lake Poinsett State Park are nocturnal and only come out at night. Join a park interpreter to discuss these nighttime critter calls, behaviors, and how to spot them…
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Sounds of the Night
Saturday, September 27, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Have you ever been outside and heard a weird noise? Have you ever been camping and heard something you couldn't explain? There are plenty of nocturnal animals in our park that make all sorts of…
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Monarch Migration Station
Saturday, September 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
How do monarchs manage to migrate over 3,000 miles? What challenges do they face on their journey? Join a park interpreter at Lake Poinsett State Park to learn about the challenges monarchs face…
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Survival Shelter Building
Saturday, September 27, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
What are the main things we need to survive a night out in the woods? Learn these and different shelter types that will work in different situations. Join a park interpreter at Lake Poinsett State…
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Animal Signs Hike
Sunday, September 28, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Sometimes we don't see the animals that live at Lake Poinsett State Park because they're nocturnal or good at hiding. How else can we see signs of these critters at the park? Join a park interpreter…
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Scenic Lake Tour
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
Read more
Scenic Lake Tour
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
Read more
Discovery Hike (Dogwood Trail)
Friday, October 03, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
The
Ouachita National Forest provides a protective zone for wildlife around the
lake. Meet a park interpreter at the Dogwood trailhead to take a guided 1/2-mile
hike and discover the…
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Healing Waters
Friday, October 03, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
The “healing” waters of Three Sisters Springs had an impact on many people from the past as they continue to be important to us today. Join a park interpreter for a trip back in time to rediscover the…
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Guess That Creature
Friday, October 03, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
How well do you know
the special creatures and features of Lake Ouachita State Park? Meet a park interpreter to take the "creature challenge." We see how good you at are at identifying photos,…
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Nighttime Critters Night Hike
Friday, October 03, 2025
/ 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Most of the critters living at Lake Poinsett State Park are nocturnal and only come out at night. Join a park interpreter to discuss these nighttime critter calls, behaviors, and how to spot them…
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Great Arkansas Cleanup
Saturday, October 04, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join us for the Great Arkansas Cleanup at Lake Ouachita! Spend a day on the water making a difference. We’ll meet at the Lake Ouachita State Park Marina and head out at 9 a.m. on a large, covered…
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Animal Signs Hike
Saturday, October 04, 2025
/ 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Sometimes we don't see the animals that live at Lake Poinsett State Park because they're nocturnal or good at hiding. How else can we see signs of these critters at the park? Join a park interpreter…
Heart Healthy
Read more
