
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Diamond Mining 101
Tuesday, September 16, 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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Diamond Mining 101
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.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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Scenic Lake Tour
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
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Daybreak Diamond Tour
Wednesday, September 17, 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…
Heart Healthy
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Art in the Park
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Memories are made here at Lake Catherine State Park! Join a park interpreter outside the nature cabin to discuss the natural beauty of Lake Catherine during this lakeside painting activity.
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Tinkering for Tots
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Are you ready to
explore? Bring your young children to the Arkansas Museum of Natural
Resources for the monthly “Tinkering for Tots” program. This activity is
geared towards children ages 1-5. Through…
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Diamond Mining 101
Wednesday, September 17, 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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Owl's Last Supper
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
It's dissection time! Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin to discover the owls of Lake Catherine State Park and what makes them so special. We will be dissecting real owl pellets to take a…
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Daybreak Diamond Tour
Thursday, September 18, 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…
Heart Healthy
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Cane Pole Fishing
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Cane poles are an efficient and affordable tool for fishermen, both novice and expert. Join a park interpreter at the marina to tackle some fishing the old-fashioned way! Poles and bait will be…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, September 18, 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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Arkansas Trivia
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
How much do you know about the Natural State? Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin for a fun game of Arkansas trivia. Put your knowledge to the test and compete for prizes!
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Scenic Lake Tour
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
Read more
Creek Crawl
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Village Creek State Park is home to a world of hidden critters! Join a park interpreter outside the visitor center as we walk to creek to explore the biodiversity the park provides. Please wear…
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Nature Bookmarks
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Do you like to read? Meet a park interpreter at the nature cabin to make a bookmark out of items found in nature.
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Sight, Flight, Animals Who Bite
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Some animals can see ultraviolet colors, and some can blend into plain sight, but why? Join a park interpreter to learn about common animal adaptations and how they are used. Stick…
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Evening Kayak Tour
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Looking for a unique summer evening adventure by the lake? Join a park interpreter for a peaceful kayak tour around Lake Dunn where we will search for wildlife and discover who calls Village Creek…
Heart Healthy
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Frontier Days for Homeschools
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Today our interpretive staff will provide a special
experience for homeschool groups. Students will experience Frontier Days
as the 19th century pioneers would have experienced it. Programming will
be…
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T.R.A.I.L.S.
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Don’t leave home without it! Join a park interpreter to hike the Big Ben Trail and discover the must-haves to remain safe and have fun on trails. The Big Ben Trail is a moderately…
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Frontier Days
Friday, September 19, 2025 - Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn about the early settlement of the area in the 1820s
and 1830s and hear about the beginning of the town of Washington. Take a tour
of town and discover what some of the early settlers here…
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