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Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
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Stories Told in the Dark
Saturday, November 29, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Gather ‘round the glow of the campfire with a park interpreter for an evening of storytelling under the night sky. From tall tales to local legends, these stories come to life in the flicker of…
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Bear Cave Hike
Sunday, November 30, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for an interesting walk among the giant sandstone boulders and slot canyons of the Bear Cave area. This is a relatively easy 1/4-mile hike that is great for the whole…
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The 10 Essentials Look and Learn Table
Sunday, November 30, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Ever been caught unprepared on an outdoor adventure? Stop by the park interpreter's Look and Learn Table at the visitor center to learn about the ten essentials every adventurer should have. Discover…
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Pedal and Picnic - Fall Bike Ride
Sunday, November 30, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a family-friendly bike ride along the CCC Hike and Bike Trail. We’ll start at the Old Visitor Center trailhead, ride to Mather Lodge with a stop at the Lower…
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Camp Ouachita Historic Tour
Sunday, November 30, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn about the rich history of Lake Sylvia and Camp Ouachita. Glimpse into the past by touring the old Girl Scouts cabins. Look into the future while exploring our newly…
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Boy Scout Trail Adventure
Sunday, November 30, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a hike to one of the most scenic and hidden overlooks in the park. Along the way we will explore a rock glade, identify different plants, and admire the beauty of Cedar…
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Preserving the Legacy
Sunday, November 30, 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…
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Cotton Ginning Demonstration
Sunday, November 30, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
How many of us have heard of the cotton gin? You might even know the name of the man credited with inventing the machine. But do you actually know
what a cotton gin does and how it works? Join…
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Pelican Party
Sunday, November 30, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center for a celebration of one of Lake Dardanelle State Park's most surprising seasonal visitors - the American white pelican!…
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Rock House Cave Hike
Sunday, November 30, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Meet a park interpreter to hike to the park's archeology site, Rock House Cave. We will view American Indian rock art and discover more about the windows into the past that these images provide. This…
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What's for Lunch
Tuesday, December 02, 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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Reptilian Riddles
Tuesday, December 02, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Many creatures call Lake Dardanelle State Park home. Many of these amazing creatures are reptiles. Join a park interpreter in the visitor center Orientation Room to discover some of the things that…
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Hike Along the Rim Trail
Friday, December 05, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to set off on a section of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Boy Scout Trail known as the Rim Trail. The walk offers scenic views of Cedar Creek’s lower canyon, as well as woodland…
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Legends of Petit Jean
Friday, December 05, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 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…
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Creative Pottery
Saturday, December 06, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Hampson Archeological Museum State Park interprets a civilization that created art in many ways. One of those works of art is in the form of pottery. Join us as we learn the native way of creating…
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What's for Lunch
Saturday, December 06, 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
Creative Pottery
Saturday, December 06, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Hampson Archeological Museum State Park interprets a civilization that created art in many ways. One of those works of art is in the form of pottery. Join us as we learn the native way of creating…
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Christmas Open House
Saturday, December 06, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Join us to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas
season on top of beautiful Petit Jean Mountain. There will be live holiday music, crafts available for the whole family
to make in…
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Christmas Open House
Saturday, December 06, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park invites you
to celebrate the holiday season in the comfort of the park's beautiful lodge. Come
in from the cold to make a nature-themed craft or tree ornament while…
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