
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Women's Outdoor Weekend
Friday, October 10, 2025 - Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 12 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
Open the door to all your senses by getting away and reconnecting with nature. During this three-day, two-night adventure, we will offer sessions on basic camping, hiking, introduction to kayaking,…
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Women's Outdoor Weekend
Saturday, October 11, 2025 - Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 12 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
Open the door to all your senses by getting away and reconnecting with nature. During this three-day, two-night adventure, we will offer sessions on basic camping, hiking, introduction to kayaking,…
Read more
Women's Outdoor Weekend
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 12 a.m. - 11:59 p.m.
Open the door to all your senses by getting away and reconnecting with nature. During this three-day, two-night adventure, we will offer sessions on basic camping, hiking, introduction to kayaking,…
Read more
Daybreak Diamond Tour
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Join a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center, lower level to walk through the search area and learn about the best places to search for diamonds. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of past…
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Huckleberry Nature Hike
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 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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Woodland Wandering
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter at the Bear Cave trailhead for a woodland wandering along the Boy Scout Trail. We will hike along the Boy Scout Trail across the Wild Hog Crossing and explore the…
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Color Wheel Hike
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Can you find every color on the color wheel? Hike down to the river with a park interpreter and see how many colors are out on the trail. This is a 0.5-mile round trip hike rated easy to moderate.
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UFO: Unidentified Forest Objects Hike
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Strange things lurk in the Ouachita National Forest, and not everything is easily explained. Join a park interpreter for a 1-mile hike along the Spring Trail as we investigate mysterious forest finds,…
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Life on the Web
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 9:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Spiders are so different from us that sometimes they seem almost alien, but these unique creatures have a job to do at the park. Join the park interpreter to discover how they survive living life on a…
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Diamond Mining 101
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center to learn the tricks of the trade at this demonstration of diamond searching methods!
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Dip Net Discovery
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
What tiny creatures are hiding in the waters of
DeGray Lake? This is your chance to find out and discuss the role of these
elusive wonders. Meet a park interpreter for this hands-on activity and…
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Nature Arts and Crafts: Fall Leaf Prints
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter at the main pavilion to create a beautiful fall leaf print! We will learn why leaves change in fall as we create a keepsake print or card of Daisy State Park. All materials are…
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10-Minute Petit Jean Skills
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Want to level up your campfire game? Stop inside the Historic Mather Lodge where you’ll learn essential outdoor skills in just 10 minutes at a time! Whether it’s building the perfect camp,…
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Branching Out: Oaktober Celebration
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a 0.5-mile hike through the Arkansas Arboretum trail for an "Oaktober" celebration! Learn more about some of the different kinds of oak trees on the trail and how they…
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Mammals of the Mountain
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
How well do you know the mammals of Queen Wilhelmina State Park? Join a park interpreter to discover some fascinating (and furry) facts about the animals that call this mountain home!
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Birding 101
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 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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Scenic Lake Cruise
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing and scenic cruise on DeGray Lake! Discover the history of the lake, wildlife, view rock outcrops and unique islands. Seating is limited; reservations can be made beginning…
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Owl Pellet Dissection
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Join the park interpreters in the classroom as we investigate the life of an owl. This is a fascinating, sanitary hands-on activity for all ages!
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Meet a Snake
Sunday, October 12, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
This is your chance to meet a live snake. Join the park interpreter to learn more about the park's most misunderstood creatures and why they call this place home.
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Ceremonial Site Tour
Sunday, October 12, 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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