
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
What's for Lunch
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s for…
Read more
Let's Make a Deal: Arkansas River Edition
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
In the early 1800s, the Arkansas River connected diverse communities
through trade and exchange. Goods carried stories, relationships shaped
survival, and every deal mattered. Meet a park interpreter…
Read more
Energized for Life
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
A big web of energy connects plants and animals at Mount Magazine State Park, and all that energy comes from one particular star—the sun! Join a park interpreter and uncover the sun's story…
Read more
National S'mores Day
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Come celebrate National S'mores Day (a day early, but worth it!). Enjoy this campsite favorite with the staff of Lake Fort Smith State Park. Do you prefer traditional style or modern twist, perfectly…
Read more
Leaf What You Find, Remember What You See
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Ever wanted to take a piece of nature home without picking it up? Join a park interpreter to explore the textures of leaves, trees, rocks, and more as we create art along Dripping Springs Trail. It is…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Under Construction
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle State Park’s diverse habitats sustain many living
creatures, including animal architects. Join a park interpreter on the
Dardanelle side of the park in the grassy area near the…
Read more
Camp Oh No!
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Oh no—this campsite is a disaster! Join
a park interpreter on the Dardanelle side of the park in the grassy area near
the playground to uncover what went wrong and how to fix it. Learn how to
protect…
Read more
Benefield West Trek
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
With a park interpreter as your guide, trek along this beautiful,
wooded trail that reveals some Arkansas’ best scenery and Mount Magazine State
Park’s unique story. Seasonally appropriate attire,…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Nosey Nelly
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Learning not to use our eyes and rely on our other senses is difficult for some. It can be a very rewarding experience if we give it a chance. Join the park interpreter at the amphitheater and…
Read more
Solar Oven S'mores
Sunday, August 10, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Celebrate National S’mores Day at
Lake Dardanelle State Park—without the heat of a campfire! Join a park
interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to discover how
solar ovens…
Read more
DIY Fire Starters
Sunday, August 10, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Be prepared to spark your next
adventure! Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor
center to learn how to make your own fire starters—an easy, useful skill using
materials…
Read more
Dutch Oven Cooking Look & Learn Table
Sunday, August 10, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Curious about cast iron cooking? Stop by our Dutch Oven Look & Learn Table in the visitor center to see Dutch ovens up close, explore how they work, and discover how people have used them for…
Read more
Perseids Meteor Shower
Monday, August 11, 2025
/ 11:45 p.m. - 1 a.m.
A few times a year, meteor showers grace our night skies with spectacular light shows. Stargaze with a park interpreter as you watch for meteors from the Perseids Meteor Shower, which peaks tonight…
Read more
What's for Lunch
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s for…
Read more
Spinning and Lace Making Demonstration
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
In this special showcase, local spinners will share how they craft fibers into yarn and lacemakers will exhibit the creation of handmade laces. They welcome all interested visitors to join them for an…
Read more
Letterboxing
Friday, August 15, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Letterboxing is an activity that has been around for centuries. All it takes is a journal, stamp, clues, and a compass. Join a park interpreter in the visitor center Orientation Room to learn about…
Read more
Nature Encounters
Friday, August 15, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
The Arkansas River creates many recreational opportunities for us to enjoy. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater for this program designed to give visitors the chance to experience some parks…
Read more
Cherokee Style Double Wall Basket Workshop
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cherokees are skilled weavers who began moving to this area as early as 1700s and continued to move through the area during the Trail of Tears. They used honeysuckle and buckbrush to create beautiful…
Read more
Music to Your Ears: A Ukulele Highpoint Hike
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Perseverance of life at Mount Magazine State Park should be music to your ears! Let a park interpreter share some original ukulele songs on the way up to Arkansas' highpoint that highlight…
Heart Healthy
Read more

What's for Lunch
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s for…
Read more