Discover Events
Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Legacy of Mather Lodge
Friday, December 26, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a tour of this architectural park gem. Discover some secrets of the past and gain insight into the undergone changes of one of Arkansas’ most treasured landmarks.
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Legends of Petit Jean
Friday, December 26, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Petit Jean, a strange and fascinating mountain with many natural wonders, but that isn’t all that is fascinating. Meet a park interpreter to discover some stories surrounding the naming of this…
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What's for Lunch
Saturday, December 27, 2025
/ 5:30 a.m. - 6 a.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s for…
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Woodland Wandering
Saturday, December 27, 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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Let's Make a Deal: Arkansas River Edition
Saturday, December 27, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
In the early 1800s, the Arkansas River connected diverse communities through trade and exchange. Goods carried stories, relationships shaped survival, and every deal mattered. Meet a park…
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Bear Cave Hike
Saturday, December 27, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.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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Nosey Nelly
Saturday, December 27, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Learning not to use our eyes and rely on our other senses is difficult for some. It can be a very rewarding experience if we give it a chance. Join the park interpreter in the visitor center…
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Hibernation Look & Learn Table
Saturday, December 27, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Some of Lake Dardanelle State Park’s inhabitants hibernate through the winter, while others adapt to the cooler temperatures and stay active. Stop by the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table at…
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10-Minute Petit Jean Skills
Sunday, December 28, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 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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Firelight Reflections
Sunday, December 28, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
As the new year approaches, take a moment to pause,
reflect, and prepare for fresh beginnings at Petit Jean State Park. Join a park interpreter in the cozy Mather Lodge lobby for a morning of…
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History in a Bag
Sunday, December 28, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Exploration, opportunity, and progress forged the culture you find here today. Meet a park interpreter in the visitor center Orientation Room to play a game that will take you on a journey through the…
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Animal Tracks Look & Learn Table
Sunday, December 28, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
How can you tell an animal has been in the area without having seen it yourself? You can often find hints left behind. Stop by the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table at the visitor center to…
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Eagle Tour
Monday, December 29, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is proud to offer free winter lake cruises for the best chance of seeing our national symbol, the American bald eagle (weather permitting). Many other spectacular birds will…
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What's for Lunch
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
/ 5:30 a.m. - 6 a.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s for…
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Fashion a Fish
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Learn about the wide variety of shapes and sizes of fish that live in Lake Dardanelle due to its health and diversity. Join a park interpreter in the Weigh-In Pavilion and create a fish of your own.
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Reptiles of the River
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is home to variety of wildlife, but do you ever wonder just what there is out there in the river? Are there snakes, is that a snapping turtle? Join a park interpreter in the…
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Eagle Tour
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is proud to offer free winter lake cruises for the best chance of seeing our national symbol, the American bald eagle (weather permitting). Many other spectacular birds will…
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Winter Workshop Series: Hiking 101 - Winter Edition
Saturday, January 10, 2026
/ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join park staff for a special hiking 101 course.
This course will include a hike along the park's Boy Scout Trail. While we won’t complete the full trail, we will hike about 7 miles of it. This is a…
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Make a Snowflake
Saturday, January 10, 2026
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Relax and unwind as you learn about snow while making a fun and festive craft! Engage in a brief program with a park interpreter about the science of snow. Then enjoy crafting a beautiful snowflake…
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Hot Cocoa Hike
Saturday, January 17, 2026
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a guided hike through the winter woods! Enjoy the serene beauty of the Trees of the Forest Interpretive Trail. Afterwards, sip on a cup of hot cocoa! The trail is 0.5 miles…
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