
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Geocaching Island Hopper
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Whether you are a diehard geocacher or completely new to the activity, this excursion is sure to satisfy your craving for adventure! With GPS units/smartphones in hand, we will travel by…
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Art in the Park
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 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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Trail Tales
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Put on your detective caps and figure out what the animals have been up to in Lake Ouachita State Park. Animal signs can be found all around us here in the park, and they tell us the stories of the…
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Hands-On History: Telegraphs, Washboards, and Model-Ts
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Come to the museum and learn about how people lived in south Arkansas during the 1920s oil boom. Explore the Boomtown Street with the museum's curator, as you complete a scavenger hunt. See and learn…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, July 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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Healing Waters
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 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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Ranger Beads
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Are we there yet? If you were hiking a trail or blazing your own path without the luxury of modern GPS technology, how would you know how far you had traveled or how far you had left to go to reach…
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Butterflies vs. Moths
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Butterfly or moth? What's the difference? Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin to find out! Participants will have the opportunity to craft their very own butterfly or moth.
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Guess That Creature
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
How well do you know
the special creatures and features of Lake Ouachita State Park? Meet a park interpreter to take the "creature challenge." We see how good you at are at identifying photos,…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, July 17, 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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Food Web Wonders
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Every living thing at Lake Ouachita State Park is connected! Join a park interpreter to discover the delicate balance of the food web, the role it plays at Lake Ouachita, and our role in protecting…
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Swim and Cruise Lake Tour
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing and scenic cruise on DeGray Lake before beating the heat and taking a dip in its refreshing water! We will cruise the lake for the first half of the tour taking in the beautiful…
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Wildflower Bingo
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Lake Catherine State Park is home to many stunning wildflowers! Meet a park interpreter at the nature cabin to play this fun game and learn all about the beautiful flowers that grow here.
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Scenic Lake Tour
Thursday, July 17, 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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Bike the Park
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to see Daisy State Park by bike! Meet at the main pavilion for this evening bike tour around the park. We will see the entire park on this exciting evening ride and learn some…
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Bat Discovery Hike
Thursday, July 17, 2025
/ 8:15 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Bats aren't blind, they won’t get stuck in your hair—and they’re some of nature’s most important nighttime hunters! Join a park interpreter for a short, guided hike to uncover the truth about these…
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Outer Boundaries Adventure Hike
Friday, July 18, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Looking for an adventure with sure rewards? Join a park interpreter for this unique opportunity to hike a select section of the “White Zone” multi-use trail on the south side of the lake. Enjoy a…
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Daybreak Diamond Tour
Friday, July 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…
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Morning Bird Walk
Friday, July 18, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for a peaceful 1-mile morning walk to spot and listen for birds along the trail. Bring water, insect repellent, and wear
sturdy shoes.
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Snakes of Cossatot River
Friday, July 18, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to get acquainted with our resident snakes and learn about the many snakes of the area. Paint your very own wooden snake to take home as a souvenir of your park visit!
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