
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
Park
Categories
Regions
Bear Necessities
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Did you know Arkansas was historically known as “The Bear State?” The story of Arkansas’ black bears is one of upheaval and resilience. Join a park interpreter to explore the history of black bears in…
Read more
A World of Colors
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Nature is full of beautiful colors, and with those come a web of lies and deceit! Join us in the visitor center to be put to the test as we look at the many ways wildlife use colors for camouflage and…
Read more
Legends of Petit Jean
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Petit Jean, a strange and fascinating mountain with many natural wonders, but that isn’t all that is fascinating. Meet a park interpreter to discover some stories surrounding the naming of this…
Read more
Wildlife Exploration Walk
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Mississippi River State Park is teeming with wildlife for us to observe. Join a park interpreter to see how many different types of critters we can spy hiding in the diverse forest of Crowley’s Ridge.…
Read more
Kayak Football
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
This is a great opportunity for beginners and experienced kayakers alike to learn and sharpen their paddling skills. A park interpreter will guide you through the basics of kayak and safety…
Heart Healthy
Read more

Bird Names and Bird Games
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Do you think you could name all 424 bird species that we find in Arkansas? Beginning birders may be intimidated by the vast number of birds to be remembered. Thankfully, the names of birds often help…
Read more
Exploration Station: Camouflage
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
What
is camouflage and what is it for? Animals use it to survive in the wild by
blending into their surroundings. Visit the park interpreter’s Exploration Station at the visitor center…
Read more
Archeological Site Tram Tour
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
The Plum Bayou Mounds site is
one of the largest and most impressive archeological sites in the Lower Mississippi River
Valley. Occupied
by American
Indians from about 650 to 1050 AD, this site is…
Read more
Water Safety
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Ready to beat the summer heat at Lake Austell? Join a park interpreter to talk about ways to stay safe (while having fun) in and around the water! This is a free, family-friendly event and no…
Read more
Preserving the Legacy
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a special 2-hour open self-guided tour of the 1872 Courthouse Museum! Learn how Jacksonport became the county seat, what the building was used for after the county seat…
Read more
Driving History Tour of Hobbs
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Discover the people and events that shaped this area before and after it
became a state park on this van tour of Hobbs. A park interpreter will drive
you to several locations while sharing our local…
Read more
Leave No Trace Watercolors
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Do you know the 7 principles of Leave No Trace? Join a park interpreter to make your very own artwork and learn about the different ways we can help keep our park clean and healthy for other visitors…
Read more
Under Construction
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle State Park’s diverse habitats sustain many living creatures, including animal architects. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to learn how the…
Read more
Spinning Demonstration
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Far from just being a prop in the story of Sleeping Beauty, a spinning wheel was a common and useful piece of furniture in the homes of Territorial Arkansans. Join a park interpreter to learn how to…
Read more
Hikers and Snakes
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for helpful hints about snakes you may meet on the
trails of Petit Jean State Park. Learn about venomous
and non-venomous species and how to tell the difference, plus some tips…
Read more
Leave No Trace
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Ever wonder what's the harm in leaving that orange peel on the trail? Find out what it really means to Leave No Trace as you attend a family friendly Leave No Trace Program. Learn the Seven Principles…
Read more
Animal Mythbusters
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Can you really catch warts from a toad? Join a park interpreter to “bust” the myths and misconceptions about certain animals that we may have heard all our lives.
Read more
Crater of Diamonds JEOPARDY!
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Queue the theme music, we are playing JEOPARDY! See if you have what it takes to outwit your fellow competitors in this battle of the brains. Play as a team or an individual to find the questions to…
Read more
Pinecone Bird Feeders
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 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…
Read more
Build-a-Bug
Sunday, July 27, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn more about the bugs of Devil's Den State Park and design your very own bug to take home!
Read more