
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Daybreak Diamond Tour
Thursday, September 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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Cane Pole Fishing
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Cane poles are an efficient and affordable tool for fishermen, both novice and expert. Join a park interpreter at the marina to tackle some fishing the old-fashioned way! Poles and bait will be…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, September 18, 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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Arkansas Trivia
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
How much do you know about the Natural State? Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin for a fun game of Arkansas trivia. Put your knowledge to the test and compete for prizes!
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Scenic Lake Tour
Thursday, September 18, 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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Nature Bookmarks
Thursday, September 18, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Do you like to read? Meet a park interpreter at the nature cabin to make a bookmark out of items found in nature.
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Frontier Days for Homeschools
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Today our interpretive staff will provide a special
experience for homeschool groups. Students will experience Frontier Days
as the 19th century pioneers would have experienced it. Programming will
be…
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Frontier Days
Friday, September 19, 2025 - Saturday, September 20, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Learn about the early settlement of the area in the 1820s
and 1830s and hear about the beginning of the town of Washington. Take a tour
of town and discover what some of the early settlers here…
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Diamond Mining 101
Friday, September 19, 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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Ranger Beads
Friday, September 19, 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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Safety Sense
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
With the right knowledge, you can be prepared for any outdoor adventure! Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn how to identify poisonous plants and how to feel confident on any outdoor…
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Nature Cabin
Friday, September 19, 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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Prospector Trail Guided Hike
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the Prospector trailhead, on the northwest side of the diamond search area, and experience Crater of Diamonds State Park like miners and geologists of the past!…
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Mammals of the Mountain
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
How well do you know the mammals of Queen Wilhelmina State Park? Join a park interpreter to discover some fascinating (and furry) facts about the animals that call this mountain home!
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The Land Speaks Hike
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Did you know that you can learn a new language during your park visit? Join a park interpreter to uncover the hidden language of the land during this easy 1-mile guided hike on the Island…
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Communit-trees Hike
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter on a 3/4-mile guided walk along the Daisy Creek Trail to learn more about Daisy State Park's tree community. Participants will discover some common Arkansas tree species and…
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Snake Sense
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
There’s no such thing as a “bad snake," just misunderstood ones. Join a park interpreter to learn about Arkansas’ six venomous snake species and discover how to stay safe if you ever encounter one in…
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Sunset Cruise
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 6:15 p.m. - 7:15 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 19, 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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Guided Night Bat Hike
Friday, September 19, 2025
/ 7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
When the sun sets, the night life at Daisy State Park begins! Join the park interpreter on an exciting nighttime hike about the history of bats here. This guided hike along the Daisy Creek…
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