
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Nature Field Guides
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Have you ever found a leaf that you didn't recognize? Or couldn't tell if the tracks you found belonged to a skunk, opossum, or raccoon? Join a park interpreter to make your own nature field guide for…
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Bear Cave Hike
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for an interesting walk among the giant sandstone boulders and slot canyons of the Bear Cave area. This is a relatively easy 1/4-mile hike that is great for the whole…
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Birding 101
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Interested in birding but not sure where to start? Join a park interpreter for an introduction to birding basics at the visitor center breezeway. We will take an easy walk around the visitor center…
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Bat Discovery Hike
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Bats aren't blind, they won’t get stuck in your hair—and they’re some of nature’s most important nighttime hunters! Join a park interpreter for a short, guided hike to uncover the truth about these…
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Fall Star Party
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Discover astronomy with the Memphis Astronomical Society. This is a family-friendly event for all ages! The first part of the program will be inside to teach guests what is in the night sky.…
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Huckleberry Nature Hike
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for a 3.5-mile guided hike around Lake Bennett to become more acquainted with the native flora and fauna seen in the park. This is a moderate hike and is expected to last…
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Fall Foliage Van Tour
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Celebrate the fleeting beauty of fall and deepen your connection to the forest landscapes that make Mississippi River State Park a must-visit every fall. Space limited—preregister at the visitor…
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Look Again
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Any object you can find in the park has its own
special place. Join us for a fun activity as we take the time to slow down and observe, take a closer look,
and think about the interconnectedness of…
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Boy Scout Trail Adventure
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for a hike to one of the most scenic and hidden overlooks in the park. Along the way we will explore a rock glade, identify different plants, and admire the beauty of Cedar…
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Discover the Yancopin Bridge Guided Hike
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 9:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Here is your chance to discover the Yancopin Bridge! This bridge crosses the Arkansas River along the Delta Heritage Trail. Experience it for yourself on a 3-mile round trip guided hike led by a park…
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Whose Leaves Are These?
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Fall is almost upon us! Why do some leaves change colors while others don't? Join a park interpreter to learn about the different tree species here at the park and match leaves to trees!
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Mammal Animals of Petit Jean
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.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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Keys to the Kingfisher Hike
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Meet a park interpreter as we meander along the shore of the Little Maumelle River along the Kingfisher Trail, learning about the local flora and fauna that make up this unique wetland habitat as we…
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Animal Beads Making
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Create fun animal bead crafts with a park interpreter. Learn about local wildlife while making your own keepsake. All supplies provided. All ages welcome.
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"What's that Fur?"
Sunday, October 19, 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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Ceremonial Site Tour
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
The Plum Bayou Mounds site is one of the largest and most impressive archeological sites in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. Occupied by American Indians from about 650 to 1050 AD, this site is…
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Magnificent Mycelium: A Tale From Underground
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! Discover some of the common fungi found at the park and how these small organisms create new life from what's left beneath. Stick around to build your…
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Rock House Cave Hike
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Meet a park interpreter to hike to the park's archeology site, Rock House Cave. We will view American Indian rock art and discover more about the windows into the past that these images provide. This…
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Woolly Cabin Tour
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Love history? Join a park interpreter to learn more about our local history while touring the 143-year-old Woolly Cabin! The inside of the cabin can only be viewed during tours, so don’t…
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Bass Fishing on Lake Roosevelt
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn about using artificial lures to catch one of Petit Jean State Park's aquatic predators, the largemouth bass. We will learn how to set up your rod, select an…
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