Arkansas State Park Events

Park ranger shows bug to curious child in a forest.
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Our interpretive guides routinely schedule fun, family-friendly adventures that are designed to help you have a more meaningful park experience and make memories of a lifetime. We offer more than 15,000 activities each year, including outdoor recreation skills demonstrations and workshops, guided hikes, lake tours on park boats, birding walks, kayak tours, living history activities, nature games, bald eagle watches, spring wildflower walks, campfires, school field trips, and much more — there’s something going on all the time! Use the search filters to view specific parks, dates, or topics.

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Showing 16 - 30 of 71
Sep 8
3:30pm - 4:30pm

Navigation Know-How: Orienteering

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Have you ever wondered how people used to navigate before technology? Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn how to navigate the old-fashioned way. Learn how to use a compass and go on a scavenger hunt to test your skills.
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Sep 11
10:00am - 11:30am

Dutch Oven Cooking Demonstration: Apple Cobbler

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Once a cherished possession of explorers and settlers, the Dutch oven holds a significant place in Arkansas history. Join a park interpreter to learn how to cook outdoors and without electricity. This delicious demo will take place at the trailhead...
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Sep 11
3:00pm - 3:45pm

Snakeskin Bookmarks

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Join a park interpreter at the Nature Cabin for a creative introduction to snakes. Learn how to identify the venomous snakes of Arkansas and have the opportunity to craft your very own bookmark from the shed of a real Arkansas snake.
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Sep 11
4:00pm - 4:30pm

CCC Stroll

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
The Civilian Conservation Corps holds a significant place in Arkansas history. Travel back in time to the origins of Lake Catherine State Park while on a stroll with a park interpreter. Observe the still-standing structures built by the CCC that make...
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Sep 12
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Geocaching 101

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Discover what geocaching is all about with a park interpreter at the amphitheater. We’ll take a crash course in GPS technology and then learn the basics of one of the fastest-growing activities in America. We’ll even search for an actual cache.
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Sep 12
3:00pm - 3:45pm

Build a Bird Feeder

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Did you know you can make simple bird feeders using items found in nature? We'll show you how to make one to take home. Join a park interpreter at the Nature Cabin for this fun activity.
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Sep 13
9:00am - 10:00am

Art in The Park

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Memories are made here at Lake Catherine State Park. Join a park interpreter at the Nature Cabin to discuss the beauty of Lake Catherine during this lakeside painting activity.
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Sep 13
10:30am - 11:00am

Ouachita Grab Bag Adventures

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Are you brave enough to stick your hand into an unknown nature-filled bag and to guess what's inside? Meet a park interpreter at the trailhead to learn about the Ouachita Mountains here at Lake Catherine State Park and to try your luck at guessing...
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Sep 13
2:00pm - 2:30pm

Critter Crunch

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Have you ever seen a snake strike for its food? Or a turtle swim for a snack? Join a park interpreter at the Nature Cabin to learn about what snakes and turtles love to eat, then watch them chow down.
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Sep 14
9:00am - 10:00am

Micro-Hike Scavenger Hunt

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Have you ever wondered how bugs see the world? Join a park interpreter at the Nature Cabin to learn about how bugs keep Lake Catherine State Park alive, then go on a mini scavenger hunt to get a glimpse of what life is like from the ground up.
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Sep 14
11:00am - 12:00pm

Waterfowl Wonders

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Ever wonder how waterfowl can see clearly underwater? Join a park interpreter at the Nature Cabin to learn about these fascinating birds and even make your own water viewer to test out.
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Sep 14
3:30pm - 4:30pm

Butterflies vs. Moths

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Butterfly or moth? What's the difference? Meet a park interpreter at the Nature Cabin to find out. Participants will have the opportunity to craft their very own butterfly or moth to take home.
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Sep 15
9:00am - 10:00am

Discovery Hike: Slunger Creek Nature Trail

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Join a park interpreter at the Slunger Creek Nature Trail to explore the park's summer scenery. This stroll takes about 30 minutes and is 5/8-mile long. The trail is paved and ADA accessible. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water.
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Sep 15
11:00am - 12:00pm

Start with a Spark: DIY Fire Starters

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
The most important part of building a campfire is being safely prepared to light one. Join a park interpreter at Nature Cabin to learn the best methods for lighting up a campfire. This program will include a crash course in campfire safety as well as...
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Sep 15
3:30pm - 4:30pm

Eat Like a Bird

Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
There are about 100 bird species in the Ouachita Mountain region and each one is unique. Join a park interpreter to learn about different beaks from these birds and then try your hand at testing them out yourself in a fun activity.
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