
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Discovery Hour at Jacksonport
Thursday, July 31, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join the fun every Thursday at Jacksonport State Park! Park interpreters will help you explore and understand the history and nature of Jacksonport State Park through action-packed games, crafts,…
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Safety With A Splash
Thursday, July 31, 2025
/ 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
"Water" your plans on the river this summer? Join a park interpreter to learn how to keep the fun going by taking some simple steps to avoid common water hazards.
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Raccoons-The Masked Bandits
Thursday, July 31, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Who is the masked bandit? How is he able to get into your trash bins that you know you have sealed well? Does he live in Jackson County? Come find the answers to these and other questions about this…
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Story and Craft: Clay Gorgets
Thursday, July 31, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursdays at 2 p.m., children are encouraged to visit the park for a summer story and craft hour during school summer break. Join us for the last of the season as we make clay necklace gorgets that…
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Where the Rivers Meet
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
The confluence of the Black and White Rivers have shaped the past
and will shape the future of Jacksonport State Park and the surrounding area. Join
a park interpreter to
learn about "stewardship" and…
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Safety With A Splash
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
"Water" your plans on the river this summer? Join a park interpreter to learn how to keep the fun going by taking some simple steps to avoid common water hazards.
Read more
Inching Along Big Ben
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Little things at Village Creek State Park can lead you on big adventures! Join a park interpreter to hunt for natural objects one inch or smaller in size as we hike along the 0.5-mile Big Ben Trail…
Heart Healthy
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Wealth in the Water
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Discover the fascinating world of White River pearling as the residents of Jacksonport experienced it at the turn of the 20th century. See the equipment used by divers and learn about the multitude of…
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Discovering Nature Journals
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Preserve your memories and outdoor experiences at Village Creek State Park in a journal. Join a park interpreter to make your own journal and learn some outdoor journaling tips. All materials are…
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Guess That Critter!
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
How much do you know, or think you know, about the critters that make Jacksonport State Park their home? From mammals to birds to reptiles, this is a chance to hone your cognitive skills with other…
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Hike the Rainbow
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
You can discover a rainbow of colors at Lake Frierson State Park! Join the park interpreter on a color quest along the Dogwood Lane Trail (easy difficulty, 0.5-miles). Please wear tennis shoes or…
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The Hidden Hunt
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Nature has a secret hidden side, if you are willing to search for it. Meet a park interpreter to go on a scavenger hunt and investigate what you might miss at first glance. This program is great for…
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Sunset Kayak Cruise
Friday, August 01, 2025
/ 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Kayaking on Lake Frierson offers you a link to many different worlds! Join the park interpreter in discovering the stories our lake provides and protects as we rove the coves of Lake…
Heart Healthy
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Echoing Footsteps
Saturday, August 02, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
As you walk the Old 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 Old…
Heart Healthy
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Dixie's Home Front
Saturday, August 02, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
With their fathers, brothers, and husbands gone off to fight in the Civil War, Southern women had to do not only their own housework, but learn to take on the jobs of their male relatives, too! Join a…
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Kayak Tour
Saturday, August 02, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter at the fishing pier next to the boat ramp (within the park) for a kayak tour (weather permitting). Your guide will discuss kayaking basics, and you will get to experience Lake…
Heart Healthy
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State Park Explorers: Discover, Protect, and Connect
Saturday, August 02, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join the park interpreter on a fun-filled adventure to become a State Park Explorer! This interactive program is designed for kids ages 6–14 to explore what state parks are, learn how to stay safe,…
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Origami Folding: Forest Friends
Saturday, August 02, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Ready to try your hand at folding origami animals? Join a park interpreter outside the visitor center to learn about the native wildlife around Village Creek State Park that call the forest home.…
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Tracker Training
Saturday, August 02, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Can you tell the difference between the tracks of a squirrel and an opossum? Become an outdoor wildlife detective and find out who has been walking around Lake Frierson State Park! Join a park…
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Talk Like A Sailor 101
Saturday, August 02, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Have you ever wondered where some of the phrases we use came from? Surprisingly, many originated from steamboat lingo. Join a park interpreter and learn how these phrases may or may not have changed…
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