
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, September 11, 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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Jasper Bingo
Thursday, September 11, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Meet a park interpreter at the picnic area near the mine entrance to learn about one of the park's most useful minerals and see how many colors of jasper you can find! Regular admission to the diamond…
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Scenic Lake Tour
Thursday, September 11, 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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Wildflower Bingo
Thursday, September 11, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Lake Catherine State Park is home to many stunning wildflowers! Meet Park Interpreter Jaden at the Nature Cabin to play this fun game and learn all about the beautiful flowers that grow here.
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Flora and Fauna Identification
Thursday, September 11, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Interested in learning more about the species of flowers, birds, fungi, and more here at Daisy State Park? Join us at the visitor center to discover how to identify the species at the park. We will…
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Butterflies vs. Moths
Thursday, September 11, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Butterfly or moth? What's the difference? Join Park Interpreter Jaden at the Nature Cabin to find out! Participants will have the opportunity to craft their very own butterfly or moth.
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Daybreak Diamond Tour
Friday, September 12, 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…
Heart Healthy
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Diamond Mining 101
Friday, September 12, 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!
Read more
Arkansas Trivia
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin for a fun game of Arkansas Trivia. Put your knowledge to the test and compete with other teams for prizes!
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Nature Cabin
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Stop by the nature cabin to discover the things that make Lake Catherine State Park so special. Park interpreters will be available to give brief programs, help start your explorer program, or answer…
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Pinecone Bird Feeders
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2 p.m.
From worms to seeds, fish to insects, birds have quite a menu! Join a park interpreter to learn what different birds eat and craft your own all-natural pinecone bird feeder to take home. Note: This…
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Edible Insects (Visitor Center)
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
In other parts of the world, eating insects is considered a delicacy! Today, a park interpreter will test your notion of who really eats bugs and who doesn’t. Are you brave enough to join the “I Ate A…
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Owl Pellet Dissection: The Leftovers Lab
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Many meat-eating birds, like owls, have an interesting way of dealing with unwanted parts of their food. Join a park interpreter for a closer look at owl pellets, nature’s version of a mystery puzzle.…
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Nature Scavenger Hunt
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Learn about nature and see a new perspective on our nature scavenger hunt! Join a park interpreter for a guided 3/4-mile hike to complete this outdoor scavenger hunt. Please wear good shoes…
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Dutch Oven Cooking Series: Campfire Nachos
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Ready for some easy and delicious campfire nachos cooked in a Dutch oven? Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater for this Dutch oven dinner! We will learn the basics of Dutch oven cooking in this…
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Sunset Cruise
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a relaxing and scenic cruise on DeGray Lake! Discover the history of the lake, wildlife, view rock outcrops, and unique islands. Seating is limited. Reservations are required and can be made…
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Discovery Hike
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the Slunger Creek Nature Trail to explore the sights and sounds Lake Catherine State Park has to offer. This stroll takes about 30 minutes and is about 3/4-mile long. Be…
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Owl Prowl Night Hike
Friday, September 12, 2025
/ 8:15 p.m. - 9 p.m.
"Who" likes owls? If you do, meet a park interpreter tonight to discover the owls living in DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Then, we’ll take a walk into the woods to call some up and listen for an…
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Daybreak Diamond Tour
Saturday, September 13, 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…
Heart Healthy
Read more
