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Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
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Mountain Songs on the Lodge Terrace
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter and enjoy the beautiful view of Blue Mountain and Blue Mountain Lake, as well as a few original guitar songs that highlight some of the wonderful natural and cultural resources…
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Bass Fishing on Lake Roosevelt
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn about using artificial lures to catch one of Petit Jean State Park's aquatic predators, the largemouth bass. We will learn how to set up your rod, select an…
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Owls of Arkansas
Sunday, October 19, 2025
/ 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Owls are expert hunters. Do you know why? Join a park interpreter to discover why owls are perfectly adapted for life in Bull Shoals-White River State Park, and which ones live at the park!
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Cabin Trail Hike
Monday, October 20, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Join a park interpreter for an easy 0.5-mile hike along the Cabin Trail. This trail is a great introduction to the history, recreation opportunities, and native flora and fauna of Woolly Hollow State…
Heart Healthy
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Make a Paracord Handle for Your Walking Stick
Monday, October 20, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Adding a paracord handle to your walking stick can provide a more comfortable grip as well as an effective way of carrying cordage that could be used in an emergency situation. Meet a park interpreter…
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Mighty Eagles
Monday, October 20, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The symbol of our nation comes in the form of a mighty bird; the eagle, but even the mighty can fall. Meet a park interpreter to learn the amazing story of resilience of the mighty eagle and how you…
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Birding 101
Monday, October 20, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter to learn about the different species of birds found at Woolly Hollow State Park. Together we will learn common species, practice listening for calls, take a short walk to spot…
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Creative Fishing Lures (Bear Creek)
Monday, October 20, 2025
/ 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lots of fishermen enjoy crappie and bass fishing on Bear Creek Lake. Today we are going to discuss several of the fish bass and crappie like to eat, then you can choose the shape of the one you want…
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Discovering Nature Journals
Monday, October 20, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Preserve your memories and experiences in the great outdoors in a journal. Meet a park interpreter outside the Lake Center to make your own journal and learn some outdoor journaling…
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Painting in the Park
Monday, October 20, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Children learn so much from exploring their surroundings. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center for a nature-based paint project designed for children under 5…
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Music to Your Ears: A Ukulele Highpoint Hike
Monday, October 20, 2025
/ 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.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
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Senior American Special at Petit Jean State Park
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 - Thursday, October 23, 2025
Experience the scenic beauty of Petit Jean State Park while enjoying the hospitality of the friendly park staff! Join us for free guided walks, talks, demonstrations, and entertainment.…
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Lake Cruise
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Explore the wonders of Lake Dardanelle and the Arkansas River aboard the state park tour boat (weather permitting). Enjoy abundant wildlife, amazing history, and astounding views of the river valley…
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Think Like a Fish
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Want to catch more fish? Want to know more about what fish eat and where they live? Meet a park interpreter to think like a fish and discover more about the fish that live in Lake Fort Smith.
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Fish Feeding
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Come see the fish feast! It is very entertaining and quite interesting to watch the feeding habits of fish, like a bass striking at a worm or minnow. Gather around the fish tanks and enjoy the show.
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A Simple Stick
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter to discover how a hiking stick can make your hike safer, enjoyable, and more memorable. We will discuss proper sizing, primary and secondary uses for a hiking stick,…
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What's for Lunch
Tuesday, October 21, 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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Senior American Special: Registration and Refreshments
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
This afternoon of fellowship
begins the Senior American Special and features snacks provided by the Petit
Jean Women’s EH Club in the CCC Room and the historic lobby area of Mather
Lodge.
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Fall Foliage Lake Tour
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Splashes of red, orange, yellow, and green cover the Ouachita mountainsides in the fall. Enjoy them from our covered tour boat on a cool, crisp day! Seating is limited, so make sure to make…
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Reptiles of the River
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is home to variety of wildlife, but do you ever wonder just what there is out there in the river? Are there snakes, is that a snapping turtle? Join a park interpreter in the…
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