November Events at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
Scavenger hunts, eagle cruises, mountain bike rides, and programs to feel furs and skulls are just some of the fun events offered at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area in Rogers throughout the year.
The interpretive programming is excellent at this 12,056-acre natural park with limited development. It has a 17,500-sq-ft LEED-certified Visitors Center with interactive exhibits, wildlife viewing area, and educational activities. You can also enjoy five hiking trails: Pigeon Roost with primitive backpack campsites near Beaver Lake (8.2 mi.); Historic Van Winkle Trail with ADA accessibility and interpretive panels (.5 mi.); Shaddox Hollow Nature Trail (1.5 mi.); 24-mile Hidden Diversity Multi-Use Trail with multiple loop length options for hikers, non-motorized bikes and equestrians; and loop ADA Visitor Center Trail (upper concrete loop .33-mile and lower loop .5-mile crushed fines). (Note some trails closed during hunting season.) Unique to the park is a 100-yard public shooting range, and permitted seasonal hunting. It also has picnic tables and pads (15 sites).
Most Arkansas State Parks offer great programming and events. Check out all the possibilities you can take part in by clicking here. The following are programs offered at Hobbs over the next couple weeks. Click here to see more calendar offerings.
Saturday November 16
Exhibit Scavenger Hunt All Day Visitor Center
Families are invited to participate in a self -guided scavenger hunt through the visitor center and its exhibit area. Discover the many wonders of this facility and the park as you complete this hunt together. Receive a prize at the front desk when you turn in your scavenger hunt sheet.
Turkey Tales 10 am 45 minutes Visitor Center
Join Park Interpreter Rebekah to learn more about wild turkeys! She will be reading Jim Anosky’s informative book All about Turkeys. Then stick around for a turkey craft and fun outdoor, tag style game about the troubles turkeys face. This fun for the whole family look at turkeys will have you “gobbling!” Meet in the exploration room and then plan on venturing to the Ozark Plateau Trail for the game.
“R You Helping to Take Care of the Planet?” 11:30 am 30 minutes Visitor Center
Rebekah the Reducer will talk dirty about the three R’s of waste – Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling! In celebration of America Recycles Day, learn some easy ways to reduce and reuse your trash! Let’s let Arkansas “Shine” with a few everyday steps.
Mammal Tales 1 pm 30 minutes Visitor Center
Join a park interpreter as we delve into the legends of our furry friends. Listen to the story of how Opossum’s tail became bald, why Fox is such a trickster, and more! Take the opportunity afterwards to look at the furs of the animals that debuted in the stories.
Eagle Cruise 3 pm 1.5 hours Rocky Branch Marina
Join your interpretive guide for an Eagle Cruise! Investigate for signs of eagles as we tour the Van Winkle arm of the lake, one of the last undeveloped areas of the lake. Pre-registration and payment is required. Buy your tickets at the visitor center front desk or call (479) 789-5000. Tour departs from Rocky Branch Marina. Please dress for the weather. Cost: $10 Adults, $5 children (6-12) under 6 free
Lifejackets are provided and must be worn at all times.
Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Sunday November 17
Exhibit Scavenger Hunt All Day Visitor Center
Families are invited to participate in a self -guided scavenger hunt through the visitor center and its exhibit area. Discover the many wonders of this facility and the park as you complete this hunt together. Receive a prize at the front desk when you turn in your scavenger hunt sheet.
Sharing Nature with Wildlife 10:30 am 30 minutes Visitor Center
Join a park interpreter as we discover how we share nature with our wildlife and get a chance to touch the furs of our furry neighbors.
Fire for housekeeping 1 pm 30 minutes Picnic Area
Wondering why parts of the forest look burned? Join a park interpreter to learn how we use fire as a cleaning service at Hobbs State Park. Have the chance to see the difference between a controlled burn and wildfire.
Eagle Cruise 3 pm 1.5 hours Rocky Branch Marina
Join your interpretive guide for an Eagle Cruise! Investigate for signs of eagles as we tour the Van Winkle arm of the lake, one of the last undeveloped areas of the lake. Pre-registration and payment is required. Buy your tickets at the visitor center front desk or call (479) 789-5000. Tour departs from Rocky Branch Marina. Please dress for the weather. Cost: $10 Adults, $5 children (6-12) under 6 free
Lifejackets are provided and must be worn at all times.
Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Friday November 22
Eagle Cruise 3 pm 1.5 hours Rocky Branch Marina
Join your interpretive guide for an Eagle Cruise! Investigate for signs of eagles as we tour the Van Winkle arm of the lake, one of the last undeveloped areas of the lake. Pre-registration and payment is required. Buy your tickets at the visitor center front desk or call (479) 789-5000. Tour departs from Rocky Branch Marina. Please dress for the weather. Cost: $10 Adults, $5 children (6-12) under 6 free
Lifejackets are provided and must be worn at all times.
Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Saturday November 23
Exhibit Scavenger Hunt All Day Visitor Center
Families are invited to participate in a self -guided scavenger hunt through the visitor center and its exhibit area. Discover the many wonders of this facility and the park as you complete this hunt together. Receive a prize at the front desk when you turn in your scavenger hunt sheet.
Family Fun Mountain Bike Ride 9 am 2 hours Trailhead on Piney Road
Meet Park Interpreter Rebekah at the Hidden Diversity Trailhead off Piney Road for this fun for the whole family adventure. We will be riding along the Bashore Ridge 4-mile loop. This flowing, single track route has lots of hills to climb and fast down hills, so all riders must wear helmets and no training wheels. There will be a short introduction to mountain biking before we head off. So get outside and see the trails in a new way!
Afternoon Stroll 1 pm 45 minutes Van Winkle Trailhead
The forest is a flurry of activity in the afternoon. Join a park interpreter as we stroll through the forest looking for signs of life as the sun goes down.
Dress for the weather, bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair of ours.
The Good, Bad, and Ugly: Moths 2 pm 1 hour Visitor Center
From luna moths to tomato hornworms to clearwings, moths outnumber butterflies 14:1. Many moths that are destructive as caterpillars are important pollinators as adults. Discover their incredible diversity, learn the features of several moth families, and how to attract them during this colorful audio-visual presentation with Lori Spencer, author of Arkansas Butterflies and Moths. “Mothing” is an activity you can enjoy morning, noon and night! A book signing follows this program.
Eagle Cruise 3 pm 1.5 hours Rocky Branch Marina
Join your interpretive guide for an Eagle Cruise! Investigate for signs of eagles as we tour the Van Winkle arm of the lake, one of the last undeveloped areas of the lake. Pre-registration and payment is required. Buy your tickets at the visitor center front desk or call (479) 789-5000. Tour departs from Rocky Branch Marina. Please dress for the weather. Cost: $10 Adults, $5 children (6-12) under 6 free
Lifejackets are provided and must be worn at all times.
Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Sunday November 24
Exhibit Scavenger Hunt All Day Visitor Center
Families are invited to participate in a self -guided scavenger hunt through the visitor center and its exhibit area. Discover the many wonders of this facility and the park as you complete this hunt together. Receive a prize at the front desk when you turn in your scavenger hunt sheet.
Nature Detective 10 am 1 hour Sinking Stream Trailhead
How do you tell if an animal has been here? Use their clues left behind to find out. Learn how to be a nature detective from a park interpreter.
Skins and Skulls 1 pm 30 minutes Picnic Area
Meet a park interpreter to discover the unique mammals found at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. Have the opportunity to feel the different furs and look at the skulls of these interesting mammals.
Eagle Cruise 3 pm 1.5 hours Rocky Branch Marina
Join your interpretive guide for an Eagle Cruise! Investigate for signs of eagles as we tour the Van Winkle arm of the lake, one of the last undeveloped areas of the lake. Pre-registration and payment is required. Buy your tickets at the visitor center front desk or call (479) 789-5000. Tour departs from Rocky Branch Marina. Please dress for the weather. Cost: $10 Adults, $5 children (6-12) under 6 free
Lifejackets are provided and must be worn at all times.
Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.