
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
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Burn Smart, Leave No Mark
Wednesday, October 08, 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 08, 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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Ouachita Watercolors
Wednesday, October 08, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Throughout time, water holds power at Lake Ouachita State Park! Discover the history and importance of Lake Ouachita and its powerful water by joining a park interpreter during this lakeside…
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Preserving Ozark Chinquapin
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Meet a park interpreter at the front entrance of the visitor center (where rocking chairs are placed) to learn more about the threatened Ozark chinquapin and our park's effort to preserve this…
Heart Healthy
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Exploration Station: Bird Beaks
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Have you ever wondered why a hummingbird’s beak is different from a hawk’s? Discover how different birds have beaks adapted for their unique diets. At the end, you will have the option to try the…
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Nature Journals
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Join a park interpreter to make your very own nature journal. Take this keepsake with you and use it to record your future experiences in nature! All materials provided. Appropriate for all…
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Diamond Mining 101
Thursday, October 09, 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 09, 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…
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Lake Cruise
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 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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Exploration Station: Skins, Skulls, and Scat
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Join
a park interpreter at the Exploration Station in Camp Area A to learn about the
local animals that call Lake Ouachita State Park home. Park interpreters will
have pelts, skulls, and tracks and…
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Woolly Cabin Tour
Thursday, October 09, 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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Fish Name Game
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Want to brush up on your fish identification skills? Join a park interpreter outside the visitor center to play the Fish Name Game. We will learn what features can help you identify different fish,…
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Scenic Lake Tour
Thursday, October 09, 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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Feeding Frenzy
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Have you ever wondered what our resident reptiles like to eat or how we prepare their meals? Join the park interpreter for a behind-the-scenes look at feeding time as we explore the unique diets and…
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Finding Footprints Bingo
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Ever wonder who’s wandering through the woods when you’re not looking? Join a park interpreter to learn about Mount Magazine State Park’s wildlife by identifying their tracks and uncovering their…
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The Hidden Hunt
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Nature has a secret hidden side, if you are willing to search for it. Meet a park interpreter to go on a scavenger hunt and investigate what you might miss at first glance. This program is great for…
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Journey to Germination
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the Lake Center to discover what a seed must overcome in its journey to germination, as well as the different methods of seed dispersal. This program includes a…
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Beginner Birding
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Bull Shoals-White River State Park is a great place to begin your birdwatching journey! Discover field guides and other methods of bird identification. A park interpreter will also provide tips for…
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Wearable Water Cycle
Thursday, October 09, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
As the Arkansas River journeys through Lake Dardanelle it continually shapes the land and creates opportunities for people like you. Discover the many stops a drop of water makes on its journey…
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