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Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
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What's for Lunch
Saturday, December 20, 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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Finding Woody
Sunday, December 21, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to discover the many woodpeckers that make Petit Jean State Park their home. The program will include a short walk by Lake
Bailey for a chance to see a few. Bring…
Heart Healthy
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Knots and Navigation
Sunday, December 21, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Meet Park Interpreter Carrie to put your knot tying skills to the test. Then join in to find a hidden spot using your navigation abilities. This program lasts about 30 minutes.
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Preserving the Legacy
Sunday, December 21, 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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What's for Lunch
Tuesday, December 23, 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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Biomimicry
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Plants and animals have been adapting to their surroundings for ages. It seems only natural that people would look to nature for innovations to help us adapt and create. Join a park interpreter in the…
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Legacy of Mather Lodge
Friday, December 26, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a tour of this architectural park gem. Discover some secrets of the past and gain insight into the undergone changes of one of Arkansas’ most treasured landmarks.
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Legends of Petit Jean
Friday, December 26, 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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Woodland Wandering
Saturday, December 27, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter at the Bear Cave trailhead for a woodland wandering along the Boy Scout Trail. We will hike along the Boy Scout Trail across the Wild Hog Crossing and explore the…
Heart Healthy
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Bear Cave Hike
Saturday, December 27, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 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…
Heart Healthy
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What's for Lunch
Saturday, December 27, 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
10-Minute Petit Jean Skills
Sunday, December 28, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Want to level up your campfire game? Stop inside the Historic Mather Lodge where you’ll learn essential outdoor skills in just 10 minutes at a time! Whether it’s building the perfect camp,…
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Firelight Reflections
Sunday, December 28, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
As the new year approaches, take a moment to pause,
reflect, and prepare for fresh beginnings at Petit Jean State Park. Join a park interpreter in the cozy Mather Lodge lobby for a morning of…
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Preserving the Legacy
Sunday, December 28, 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
What's for Lunch
Tuesday, December 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…
Read more
Reptiles of the River
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 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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Annual Eagles Et Cetera Festival
Friday, January 23, 2026 - Sunday, January 25, 2026
Join us for the annual Eagles Et
Cetera Festival, the longest-running eagle awareness event in Arkansas, which
has taken place for over four decades. Celebrate the remarkable
conservation story of our…
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Territorial Arkansas Living History School Day
Saturday, May 02, 2026
/ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Trade the school books for hands-on-history at
Davidsonville Historic State Park as we celebrate 200 years since the construction of the oldest courthouse in Arkansas. Teachers, bring your class and…
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