
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Orionid Meteor Shower Viewing
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 11:45 p.m. - 1 a.m.
From late October through part of November, meteor showers can sometimes be viewed in the foreground of the Orion constellation. These are remnants of Halley’s comet, which passes through…
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Burn Smart, Leave No Mark
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Campfires can warm the night and cook our meals, but they can also scar the land for years. Join a park interpreter for a guided activity about how to enjoy fire sustainably and responsibly. From…
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Game Scene Investigation: GSI
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
When you walk around in nature and you see a track, do you take the track at face value as just a footprint, or do you look around to see what the big picture holds? Join a park interpreter in the…
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Leaf What You Find, Remember What You See
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Ever wanted to take a piece of nature home without picking it up? Join a park interpreter to explore the textures of leaves, trees, rocks, and more as we create art along Dripping Springs Trail. It is…
Heart Healthy
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Echoing Footsteps Hike
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
As you walk the Military Road Trail, your footsteps echo the footsteps of the past and the future. Meet a park interpreter to learn the stories, history, and hardships of those who walked the Military…
Heart Healthy
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Hidden in Plain Sight Hike
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Every trail tells a story, but it is not always obvious. On this guided hike of Signal Hill Loop, we’ll search for hidden clues in the natural and cultural landmarks – and connect with the land along…
Heart Healthy
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Lake Cruise
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Explore the wonders of Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River aboard the state park tour boat (weather permitting). Enjoy abundant wildlife, amazing history, and astounding views of the river valley…
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Finding Footprints Bingo
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Ever wonder who’s wandering through the woods when you’re not looking? Join a park interpreter to learn about Mount Magazine State Park’s wildlife by identifying their tracks and uncovering their…
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Eagle Measure Up
Thursday, October 23, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Bald eagles are incredible not only for their beauty and speed but for their size as well. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the park to learn about the bald eagles that call Lake…
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Cameron Bluff Stroll
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Stroll with a park interpreter into some intriguing history of early settlers on Mount Magazine State Park. Guests will also see some of Arkansas’ most scenic landscapes from Cameron’s…
Heart Healthy
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Pollinators and their 'Buds'
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn about the wildflowers and pollinators of Village Creek State Park, then create a take-home paper flower memento. This program is fun for the whole family.
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A Beneficial Benefield Hike
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Experience the benefits of hiking outdoors on historic Benefield Trail. Breathtaking views can be expected on this hike. Seasonally appropriate attire, drinking water, sturdy hiking shoes,…
Heart Healthy
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What's the Catch?
Friday, October 24, 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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Nature's Cleanup Crew: The Hidden World of Dung Beetles
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Explore the vital role dung beetles play at Lake Frierson State Park, helping to recycle nutrients and maintain healthy ecosystems. Learn how these fascinating creatures contribute to the park’s…
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Hawktober Hawk Watch
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the Cameron Bluff Overlook learn how to help Mount Magazine State Park identify and count broad-winged hawks! Participants could
potentially view broad-winged…
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Fish Prints
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle’s fishery is healthy and diverse. We’ll be using the fishery as inspiration to make some beautiful creations. Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center…
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Scales, Tails and Survival Tools
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Join us to discover how snakes survive without legs! Learn about their amazing adaptations, then build your own custom snake designed for life in the wild. Fun, hands-on, and perfect for children ages…
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Mountain Songs at the Amphitheater
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Arkansas, as well as a few original guitar songs that highlight some of the wonderful natural and cultural resources you might…
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Firebuilding 101
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
What are the three essential things a fire needs to thrive? Join a park interpreter at Lake Poinsett State Park and learn about fire building and safety. We might even have a few campfire stories to…
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Cherokee Games
Friday, October 24, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered about the daily lives of the Cherokee who inhabited this area before the Trail of Tears, long before it was a park? Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the…
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