Discover Events
Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Holiday Hike
Sunday, December 14, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Pull out the Santa hats and ugly Christmas sweaters for this fun and festive holiday hike! Join a park interpreter on the 1/2-mile Trees of the Forest Interpretive Trail for a merry time! This…
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Rocky Valley Trail Guided Hike
Sunday, December 14, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a guided hike along our Rocky Valley Trail. Discover some of the plants and animals that call our park home and view the park during our chilly winter season. Bring plenty…
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Pinecone Bird Feeders
Sunday, December 14, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn about the birds that stay at Lake Sylvia through the winter and create a pinecone bird feeder! Each person will make two pinecone bird feeders. One to decorate a tree here at Lake Sylvia for our…
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Wild Women Wednesday Hiking Group
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Ladies, are you looking for someone to go hiking with? Join the Pinnacle Mountain Wild Women and a park interpreter for a hike on one of the Pinnacle Mountain State Park's gorgeous trails or a…
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Legacy of Mather Lodge
Friday, December 19, 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 19, 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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Winter Workshop Series: Campfire Cooking Basics
Saturday, December 20, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater for a
class in campfire cooking basics. We will use multiple mechanisms to cook
outdoors – including cast iron over a campfire, Dutch ovens, and foil…
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Merry Makers Craft Day
Saturday, December 20, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Enjoy making charming crafts with your family while sipping hot cocoa or wassail and nibbling on holiday treats. Create memories as well as keepsakes that you can carry with you when you leave. This…
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Along the Arboretum
Saturday, December 20, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
“Arboretum” translates to “a place for trees,” and this 1/2-mile paved trail exhibits dozens of native trees and plants. Join a park interpreter to discover the botanical life found in the natural…
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Winter Solstice Celebration
Saturday, December 20, 2025
/ 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Walk into the past with us to discover what archeologists have uncovered about the people who lived here over 1,000 years ago. The story of the Plum Bayou people will be revealed, including why…
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Finding Woody
Sunday, December 21, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to discover the many woodpeckers that make Petit Jean State Park their home. The program will include a short walk by Lake
Bailey for a chance to see a few. Bring…
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Knots and Navigation
Sunday, December 21, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Meet Park Interpreter Carrie to put your knot tying skills to the test. Then join in to find a hidden spot using your navigation abilities. This program lasts about 30 minutes.
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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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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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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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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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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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