
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Feeding Time at the Lake
Friday, August 29, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wildlife requires a proper diet for their survival, and you can help. Meet a park interpreter as we discuss native foods that are essential for our wild and curated animals and also take part in their…
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Mountain Songs at the Amphitheater
Friday, August 29, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter and enjoy one of the most beautiful views in Arkansas, as well as a few original guitar songs that highlight some of the wonderful natural and cultural resources you might…
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Know Your State
Friday, August 29, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
How well do you know the history and folklore of Arkansas? Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater for this fun quiz game where teams will compete for prizes. All ages are welcome!
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Clothesline Fair
Saturday, August 30, 2025 - Sunday, August 31, 2025
/ 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The annual Clothesline Fair will take place over Labor Day weekend and features vendors selling and demonstrating handmade crafts, and local children competing in a square dancing competition.…
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Lake Kayaking Excursion
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Kayaking the coves of Lake Dardanelle gives you the opportunity to get closer view of birds and wildlife all from the safety of your boat. Join a park interpreter for a lake excursion via kayak. Sign…
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A Life Source's Transformation
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Lake Fort Smith is a life source that has transformed over the years. Each transformation brought life and challenges to the wildlife and people of the area. Join a park interpreter to…
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Music to Your Ears: A Ukulele Highpoint Hike
Saturday, August 30, 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…
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Introduction to Mountain Biking on the Boston Mountain Trail
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Mountain biking is a wonderful way to experience the Boston Mountain Trail. Meet a park interpreter who will cover biking and safety skills that will make your ride a more enjoyable experience. After…
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What's for Lunch
Saturday, August 30, 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…
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Safety Sense
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Surprises can happen on any outdoor adventure.
Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to
learn basic first aid tips, how to identify plants like poison ivy, what to…
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Energized for Life
Saturday, August 30, 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…
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In-Seine Adventure
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
The Arkansas River creates many opportunities for enjoyment as it journeys through Lake Dardanelle. What lives in the Lake besides fish and turtles? Well, here is your chance to find out. We will…
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Kayak Tour of Lake Fort Smith
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Enjoy the beauty of Lake Fort Smith from a kayak. Take the opportunity to observe quiet coves, waterfalls, and wildlife available from the unique perspective a kayak. Flatwater kayaks, paddles, and…
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Nature vs. Nurture (Dardanelle Area)
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
From instincts to experience, animals at Lake Dardanelle State Park learn
what it takes to survive. Meet a park interpreter on the Dardanelle side of the
park in the grassy area near the playground to…
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Leaf What You Find, Remember What You See
Saturday, August 30, 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…
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Macroinvertebrates Look & Learn Table
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle has an abundance of macroinvertebrates living in the water. Stop by the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table at the visitor center to find out what some of our macroinvertebrates…
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Benefield West Trek
Saturday, August 30, 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,…
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Sunset Art
Saturday, August 30, 2025
/ 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
As the sun goes down on Lake Dardanelle, the sky is lit up with beautiful colors glowing in the sky. Join a park interpreter in the picnic area between the visitor center and the weigh-in pavilion as…
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Cameron Bluff Stroll
Sunday, August 31, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Stroll with a park interpreter into some intriguing history of early settlers on Mount Magazine State Park. Guests will also see some of Arkansas’ most scenic landscapes from Cameron’s…
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