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  Petit Jean State Parks
    
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
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Leaf Print Christmas Cards
                                    Saturday, December 20, 2025
                                            / 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Prepare for the holidays with this fun and festive craft! Make your own Christmas card using pressed plants and printing techniques. Get in the spirit as you listen to Christmas music and create…
                            
                        
            
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        Handmade Holiday - Mug Rug
                                    Saturday, December 20, 2025
                                            / 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                             Homemade gifts used to be commonplace. We are bringing the tradition back. Join a park interpreter to create a handmade gift. Pre-registration is required by December 6th. The registration fee…
                            
                        
            
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        Eagle Watch Cruise
                                    Saturday, December 20, 2025
                                            / 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Looking for an adventure? Join a park interpreter for a guided eagle-watching cruise on DeGray Lake. We will spend the hour searching for wintering bald eagles, ospreys, loons, herons, grebes, ducks,…
                            
                        
            
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        Holiday Hiking
                                    Saturday, December 20, 2025
                                            / 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Festive holiday garb is needed for this hike! Tinsel, ornaments, and Christmas lights are fair game on the trail. Ugly Christmas sweaters, reindeer antlers, and Santa hats are expected. Bring water,…
                            
                        
            
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        Tools of Survival
                                    Saturday, December 20, 2025
                                            / 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            How did early Arkansans survive without modern tools? Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to explore the traditional tools and weapons used for…
                            
                        
            
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        Winter Solstice Celebration
                                    Saturday, December 20, 2025
                                            / 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Walk into the past with us to discover what archeologists have uncovered about the people who lived here over 1,000 years ago. The story of the Plum Bayou people will be revealed, including why…
                            
                        
            
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        Canstellations
                                    Saturday, December 20, 2025
                                            / 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Learn about the importance of the night sky here at Cane Creek State Park. Then take trash and turn it into a neat star-gazing decoration with the park interpreter. All materials are provided. 
                            
                        
            
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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…
                            
                        
            
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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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        Duck, Duck Goose
                                    Sunday, December 21, 2025
                                            / 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor enter to learn about the unique traits of waterfowl and their habitats at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Discover how conservation…
                            
                        
            
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        Pinecones and Popcorn
                                    Sunday, December 21, 2025
                                            / 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Want to make some popcorn and pinecone garland while snacking on popcorn and hot chocolate? Or maybe try your hand at making a pinecone wreath for your door. Join us at pavilion 2 for some fun holiday…
                            
                        
            
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        Eagle Watch Cruise
                                    Sunday, December 21, 2025
                                            / 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Looking for an adventure? Join a park interpreter for a guided eagle-watching cruise on DeGray Lake. We will spend the hour searching for wintering bald eagles, ospreys, loons, herons, grebes, ducks,…
                            
                        
            
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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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        Pine Needle Masterpieces
                                    Sunday, December 21, 2025
                                            / 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            The forests of Lake Dardanelle State Park are filled with many pine trees. These trees played an important role in the development of the state of Arkansas and also support wildlife. They can also be…
                            
                        
            
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        Dutch Oven Cooking Look & Learn Table
                                    Sunday, December 21, 2025
                                            / 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Curious about cast iron cooking? Stop by our Dutch Oven Look & Learn Table in the visitor center to see Dutch ovens up close, explore how they work, and discover how people have used them for…
                            
                        
            
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        What's for Lunch
                                    Tuesday, December 23, 2025
                                            / 5:30 a.m. - 6 a.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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        DIY Fire Starter
                                    Friday, December 26, 2025
                                            / 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
                                                
            
                                                                            Having trouble getting your campfire started? Join a park interpreter to learn fire-building techniques and how to make your own fire starter from materials around your home. We promise this…
                            
                        
            
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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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