
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Big Ben Trail Guided Hike
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter to learn about Village Creek State Park's history, listen to the stories behind the name of Ben, and acknowledge the power your actions have at our park. This is a 0.5-mile…
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Where the Rivers Meet
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 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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B.A.R.K. Ranger
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Calling all dog parents! Join the park interpreter in learning what it takes to be a B.A.R.K. Ranger on this PAWsome guided hike along the 1-mile Boundary Trail loop. Then, stick around to get your…
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Discovering Nature Journals
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Journals are a great way to preserve memories of your trip to the park and your experience the day of the solar eclipse. Join the park interpreter to make your own journal, pick up journaling tips and…
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Preserving the Legacy
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a special 2-hour open self-guided tour of the 1872 Courthouse Museum! Learn how Jacksonport became the county seat, what the building was used for after the county seat…
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The Colors of History
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Before the invention of the synthetic dyes we use now, people used the plants, minerals, and sometimes the animals around them to color their clothes. Join a park interpreter to learn more…
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Erosion in Motion: Protecting Lake Frierson’s Shoreline
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Discover how wind, water, and footsteps shape Lake Frierson State Park’s landscape. Through hands-on soil experiments and a short hike, learn how erosion happens and how we can protect the park’s…
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Scales, Tails and Survival Tools
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 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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Women in the Woods: Campfire Chillout
Sunday, July 06, 2025
/ 8 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sitting around the fire is one of the most magical things to do on a summer night. Join us at Lake Frierson State Park for a night of magic around the fire. Learn fun ways to get the campfire going…
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Healthy Hike Wednesday
Wednesday, July 09, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join the fun every Wednesday at Jacksonport State Park! Each hike begins at the Tunstall Riverwalk Trailhead. Just look for the white state park van. Park interpreters will be ready with a…
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Safety With A Splash
Wednesday, July 09, 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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Backyard Bass
Wednesday, July 09, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Backyard Bass is the perfect game for beginning anglers of all ages. Join a park interpreter to learn more about fishing and practicing your casting skills while staying high and dry in this fun game!…
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Discovery Hour at Jacksonport
Thursday, July 10, 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 10, 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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Steamboats: Building White River Communities Since 1831
Thursday, July 10, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2 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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Story and Craft: Baskets
Thursday, July 10, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursdays at 2 p.m., children are encouraged to come and enjoy story and craft hour throughout the summer break from school. Listen to Native American stories and weave a paper basket.
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Feeling Froggy!
Thursday, July 10, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Visit with a park interpreter to learn more about the wonderful world of frogs and toads. How are they the same, and what are their differences? Frogs help control the insect population and are a good…
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The Story of the Jackson Guards
Friday, July 11, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Made up of the best young men of Jackson County, the Jackson Guards, Company G, left Jacksonport with great fanfare May 5th, 1861, the day before Arkansas seceded from the Union. Young and…
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Wealth in the Water
Friday, July 11, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 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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Frog Talk – Who’s Making That Noise?
Friday, July 11, 2025
/ 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.
What’s that sound by the lake? Join a fun, hands-on program to meet the frogs of Lake Frierson State Park! Learn to identify local frogs by their calls, then use everyday items to mimic the sounds…
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