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 151 - 165 of 1491
Oct 15
1:30pm - 1:45pm

Diamond Mining 101

Programs
Crater of Diamonds State Park, 209 State Park Rd, Murfreesboro, AR 71958 United States
Meet in the upper level of the Diamond Discovery Center to learn the tips and tricks of diamond searching techniques.
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Oct 15
2:00pm - 2:30pm

Ranger Beads: Make Them and Use Them

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Ranger beads are an effective tool to keep track of your distance traveled, especially while hiking. Meet a park interpreter to make your own set of ranger beads and learn how they are used. No prior knowledge is required, and all materials are...
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Oct 15
2:00pm - 2:30pm

Knot Here

Programs
Devil's Den State Park, 11333 West Arkansas Hwy. 74, West Fork, AR 72774 United States
Drop in for a short visit with a park interpreter and learn three basic knots useful in the outdoors. You’ll even learn what not to knot in this hands-on skills program.
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Oct 15
2:00pm - 3:30pm

Scenic Lake Tour

Lake Tours
Lake Ouachita State Park, 5451 Mountain Pine Rd, Mountain Pine, AR 71956 United States
Lake Ouachita's immense size, pristine shoreline, and numerous islands offer breathtaking scenery that is unparalleled in the state. Enjoy a cruise aboard our tour boat with a park interpreter as your guide. Explore the wildlife, history, and geology...
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Oct 15
2:30pm - 3:30pm

Crowley's Ridge Adventure School--Fall Colors Hike

Programs
Crowley's Ridge State Park, 2092 Hwy. 168 North, Paragould, AR 72450 United States
Fall into fall as we go for a short hike on the Spider Creek Trail. As we hike, we will talk about the reason we have fall colors and what it means to our environment and wildlife. These events are geared towards homeschoolers; however, we are not...
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Oct 15
3:00pm - 3:30pm

Hiking Skills: Map and Compass

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Join a park interpreter for a hands-on demonstration and exercise of using a map and compass. This program provides an opportunity to properly utilize a topographic map for better preparedness while hiking and camping. Increase your knowledge of...
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Oct 15
3:00pm - 4:15pm

What's On The Menu? Hike

Hikes
Mount Magazine State Park, 16878 AR-309, Paris, AR 72855 United States
Pollinators like bees and butterflies are picky eaters - and every flower on the trail is a dish waiting to be served. On this guided hike, we’ll explore what’s blooming, who’s buzzing, and how plants and pollinators work together to keep our...
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Oct 15
3:30pm - 4:00pm

Pedals and Preparation: The Essentials of Mountain Biking

Programs
Devil's Den State Park, 11333 West Arkansas Hwy. 74, West Fork, AR 72774 United States
Learn the basics of mountain biking safety and preparedness. Discover what gear to carry and how to handle common trail challenges. Whether you're new to the sport or need a refresher, this program will help you ride confidently and safely.
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Oct 15
3:30pm - 4:00pm

Earth Science Week: Density Detectives

Programs
Crater of Diamonds State Park, 209 State Park Rd, Murfreesboro, AR 71958 United States
Did you know that diamonds have buddies? There are certain minerals that like to “hang out” with diamonds. Finding these minerals could lead us to a diamond hot spot. Celebrate Earth Science Week and learn all about diamond “buddies” and how to find...
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Oct 16

Guided Cavern Tours

Programs
Blanchard Springs Caverns, 704 Blanchard Springs Road, Fifty-Six, AR 72533 United States
Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the most spectacular and carefully developed caves found anywhere in the world. It is located in the Ozark National Forest and is believed to have been formed, and continually changed, by an ongoing mountain spring...
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Oct 16 - 17

Heritage Herb Garden Fall Harvest Festival

Special Events
Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1032 Park Avenue, Mountain View, AR 72560 United States
Celebrate the harvest season with a two-day immersive workshop focused on the harvest and uses of Ozark culinary herbs, medicinal plants, and native plants. Each morning features a seminar from 9:00 a.m. to noon with two to three regionally known...
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Oct 16
9:00am - 9:45am

Woodland Birding Hike

Hikes
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
The forests of Lake Fort Smith State Park offer the perfect habitat for tree birds like nuthatches, woodpeckers, vireos and warblers. Join a park interpreter for a short hike to search for these interesting birds and listen to their songs. Bring your...
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Oct 16
9:00am - 10:00am

Beneficial Benefield Hike

Hikes
Mount Magazine State Park, 16878 AR-309, Paris, AR 72855 United States
Experience the benefits of hiking outdoors on historic Benefield Trail. Breathtaking views can be expected on this hike. Seasonally appropriate attire, drinking water, sturdy hiking shoes, insect repellent, and sunscreen are all highly recommended...
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Oct 16
9:00am - 11:00am

Monument Trails Nature Quest: Leaf ID Challenge Hike

Hikes
Devil's Den State Park, 11333 West Arkansas Hwy. 74, West Fork, AR 72774 United States
Join a park interpreter on a moderately strenuous 2-mile hike along Devil's Den State Park Monument Trails. Along the way, we'll identify native trees by examining their leaf shapes, bark textures, and other distinguishing traits. Please wear sturdy...
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Oct 16
9:00am - 11:00am

Morning Kayak Tour

Paddling and Floating
Lake Catherine State Park, 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 United States
Join a park interpreter at the marina to explore Lake Catherine and all it has to offer during this peaceful paddle across the water. Participants must be at least 13 years or older to paddle solo. Participants must also be comfortable around water...
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