
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
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Color Scavenger Hunt
Monday, September 29, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Discover nature’s colorful side! Meet a park interpreter at the Lake Center to search for what colors can be found around Woolly Hollow. This program is great for kids of any age and…
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Rabbits in the Sky and on the Ground
Monday, September 29, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
One of the many wild animals that makes Lake Fort Smith State Park its home is the Eastern cottontail rabbit. Did you know there are also rabbits that live in the sky? Meet a park interpreter…
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Woolly Mammals
Monday, September 29, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Have you ever felt the fur of a bobcat? Meet a park interpreter at the Woolly Cabin to learn about our native mammals and feel their furs. This program is great for any age and will last around…
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Watercolor by the Water's Edge
Monday, September 29, 2025
/ 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter for a lakeside painting session where water meets color! Whether you're a seasoned artist or picking up a brush for the first time, this program is for all skill levels.…
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Think Like a Fish
Tuesday, September 30, 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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Diamond Mining 101
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center to learn the tricks of the trade at this demonstration of diamond searching methods!
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Lake Fort Smith Furbearers
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Have you ever felt the fur of a fox? How about a bobcat? Join a park interpreter to touch some real furs and discover the furry mammals of Lake Fort Smith State Park.
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What's for Lunch
Tuesday, September 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…
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Scenic Lake Tour
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
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DIY Wire Wrap Rock Picture Holder
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Ever wonder what to do with the rocks you take home from the Crater of Diamonds State Park search area? Join a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center classroom to make your very own rock…
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Burn Smart, Leave No Mark
Wednesday, October 01, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Campfires can warm the night and cook our meals, but they can also scar the land for years. Join a park interpreter for a guided activity about how to enjoy fire sustainably and responsibly. From…
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Leaf What You Find, Remember What You See
Wednesday, October 01, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Ever wanted to take a piece of nature home without picking it up? Join a park interpreter to explore the textures of leaves, trees, rocks, and more as we create art along Dripping Springs Trail. It is…
Heart Healthy
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Daybreak Diamond Tour
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Join a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center, lower level to walk through the search area and learn about the best places to search for diamonds. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of past…
Heart Healthy
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Watch Your Step!
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Soil, grass, ants, dwarf toads; there is a lot to discover right under your feet! Join a park interpreter at the main Huckleberry Nature trailhead (trailhead nearest to campsites, on the left) to…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter in the Diamond Discovery Center to learn the tricks of the trade at this demonstration of diamond searching methods!
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Hidden in Plain Sight Hike
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Every trail tells a story, but it is not always obvious. On this guided hike of Signal Hill Loop, we’ll search for hidden clues in the natural and cultural landmarks – and connect with the land along…
Heart Healthy
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Birding 101
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter to learn the basics of birding then
put your new skills to the test. We will look and listen for birds during a 0.5-mile walk on the Arboretum Trail. Wear sturdy shoes, bring…
Heart Healthy
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Woolly Cabin Tour
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Love history? Join a park interpreter to learn more about our local history while touring the 143-year-old Woolly Cabin! The inside of the cabin can only be viewed during tours, so don’t…
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Scenic Lake Tour
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a tour with a park interpreter as you explore the wildlife,…
Read more
Old as a Tree
Thursday, October 02, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Are you as old as a tree? Join a park interpreter to discover how to tell the age of a tree and what happened during its life. You will also have the opportunity to create your own…
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