
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Nature Journals
Monday, May 26, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
There is a lot to explore at Crater of Diamonds State Park! Whether you are an entry level rock hound or are a wildflower wanderer, a nature journal can help you document your finds. Meet in the…
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Wonder House Tour
Monday, May 26, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
What is the Wonder House? It’s not only a place, but also an experience. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, the Wonder House takes us back in time almost 100 years.…
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What's the Catch?
Monday, May 26, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Do fish have a sixth sense? Meet a park interpreter to discover how fish use their senses to navigate their underwater world. We will make a paper fish craft, all while uncovering the secret…
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Go Outside and Play!
Monday, May 26, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Ball and cup, buzz saw, graces, and rolling hoops are just some of the toys that were used by pioneer children. Try your hand with these toys and learn about the life of a pioneer child. Even…
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Slithering Snakes
Monday, May 26, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
There is no such thing as a “bad snake.” Join a park interpreter to find out more about the six venomous snake species in Arkansas and what to do if you ever find yourself in a dangerous situation…
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Steamboats: Building White River Communities Since 1831
Monday, May 26, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
Most people know that steamboats carried raw materials down the White River to markets in the south and east, but what did steamboats bring back? How did they build the towns and villages along the…
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Morning Breeze Cruise
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Smooth water, cool morning air, breathtaking views – these are but a few of the many alluring qualities of DeGray Lake in the morning. Beat the heat on this refreshing and relaxing cruise of the lake…
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Chinquapin Chat
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter at the Ozark Chinquapin Grove, located along the Caddo Bend Service Road, to explore our nursery of young trees being reintroduced to Lake Ouachita State Park. Learn about the…
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Intro to Stand Up Paddleboarding
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Stand up paddleboarding is one of the fastest-growing recreational sports. Arkansas is a natural fit for the sport with an abundance of clean, clear lakes and rivers around the state. Join a park…
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Scenic Lake Tour
Tuesday, May 27, 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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Morning Kayak Tour
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
No previous paddling experience is necessary. Hands down, one of the best ways to enjoy the lake is from inside a kayak, paddling along the shoreline, exploring quiet coves. Sign up early…
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Ouachita Watercolors
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Throughout time, water holds power at Lake Ouachita State Park! Discover the history and importance of Lake Ouachita and its powerful water by joining a park interpreter during this lakeside…
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Dip Net Discovery
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Is the water dirty, clean, or somewhere in between? Small creatures that live in the water can teach us about water quality. Join a park interpreter to catch and identify these critters in the creek…
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Kayak Koving
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Kayaking gives you the opportunity to interact with Lake Ouachita in a fun and engaging way. Join a park interpreter as we paddle out to explore nearby coves. Kayaks, paddles and…
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Birding Hike on the Little Missouri
Thursday, May 29, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Meet a park Interpreter at the trailhead of the Little Missouri River Trail to learn all about the world of birding. This 1.2-mile trail winds its way through the woods from the campground to the…
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The Land Speaks Hike
Thursday, May 29, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Did you know that you can learn a new language during your park visit? Join a park interpreter to uncover the hidden language of the land during this easy 1-mile guided hike on the Island…
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Birding Basics Hike
Thursday, May 29, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
You don't have to be an ornithologist to enjoy the birds at Lake Ouachita State Park! Learn some basics of finding our feathered friends. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. This basic…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, May 29, 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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Healing Waters
Thursday, May 29, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
The "healing" waters of Three Sisters Springs had an impact on many people from the past as they continue to be important to us today. Join a park interpreter for a trip back in time to rediscover the…
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