
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Summer Stargazing
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 8:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for this relaxing look up at the 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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Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Nature Hike
Saturday, September 13, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Girl Scouts, join a park interpreter for a fun and informative hike along the 1.1-mile Great Blue Heron Trail. We'll see what we can discover along the way! Please wear good walking shoes.…
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Girl Scouts Love State Parks: Nature Journaling
Saturday, September 13, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Nature journaling isn't just about drawing! Girl Scouts can join a park interpreter to learn a few different ways to nature journal and start your own journal about your time at Lake Poinsett State…
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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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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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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…
Heart Healthy
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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
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Who Flooded the Lake?
Saturday, October 04, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
What is pollution? How does it affect our waterways? Join a park interpreter for an interactive demo of what can happen when we dump things into waterways and lakes. How can we keep the fish in Lake…
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Nature Journaling
Saturday, October 04, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Nature journaling isn't just about drawing! Join a park interpreter to learn a few different ways to nature journal and start your own journal about your time at Lake Poinsett State Park. Materials…
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Early Birder Hike
Sunday, October 05, 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…
Read more
Firebuilding 101
Friday, October 10, 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…
Read more