
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Night Hike at the Reservoir
Friday, October 17, 2025
/ 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Meet a park interpreter for a special night-hiking experience around the Reservoir and the CCC Hike and Bike Trail. We will look for some of the nocturnal creatures that call Petit Jean Mountain home.…
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Sunrise Hike on the West Summit
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 6:15 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
Join a park interpreter as we depart from the West Summit trailhead to the top of Pinnacle Mountain to experience the sunrise over the Arkansas River valley. This hike is 1.5 miles round trip, and…
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Meet a Tree
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
What would Petit Jean State Park be like without our trees? Meet a park interpreter for a short walk around the amphitheater to get to know the trees of the park, and how they shape the land around…
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Ceremonial Site Tour
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 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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Build Your Own Bug!
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Let's celebrate our "Creepy Crawlies" by building one of our own! Join a park interpreter to learn about some of the bugs that call the park home and more about how they survive! Following the…
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Fall Foliage Hike along the Rim
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the Rock House Cave trailhead for a special fall foliage hike on a section of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail known as the Rim Trail. The walk offers…
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History of Pinnacle Mountain
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
While hiking or riding along some of our trails, the evidence of mining, logging, and more lay scattered among our landscapes. How did these artifacts, remnants of a distant era, shape the park today?…
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Cedar Falls Overlook Stroll
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for this easy, handicap accessible, 1/4-mile stroll. We will talk about some of the things that make Petit Jean State Park a special place, as well as enjoy the view of Cedar…
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Cedar Creek Rock Creep
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
From carpet rocks to iron formations along a beautiful creek, Cedar Creek Trail is one of the most fascinating areas of Petit Jean State Park. Join a park interpreter to discover some of the trees…
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Fantastic Foxes
Saturday, October 18, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Foxes are fantastic in a lot of different ways! And they've got quite a few tools that not only help them survive the winter, but also make them great hunters and allow them to thrive almost anywhere!…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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…
Heart Healthy
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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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