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 46 - 60 of 84
Nov 11
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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Nov 11
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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Nov 12
10:00am - 10:45am

Hiking with Nature Sense

Hikes
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Join a park interpreter for a ¾-mile hike to put your sense of sight, touch, smell, and hearing to the test as you explore some of the natural wonders of Lake Fort Smith State Park. Comfortable walking shoes, water, and a hiking stick are recommended...
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Nov 12
3:00pm - 4:00pm

Legacy of the WPA

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Project created work groups during the 1930s Great Depression Era such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA built public infrastructure like highways, public buildings, dams and more. The...
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Nov 13
10:00am - 10:45am

What's Biting at Lake Fort Smith: Crappie Edition

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Meet a park interpreter and get the inside scoop of which fish are biting at Lake Fort Smith. Discover habitats and feeding behavior that will help you become a better angler. You will have the opportunity to construct your own lure. Supplies are...
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Nov 13
2:00pm - 2:30pm

Opossums are Awesome

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Have you seen an opossum during your park visit? They have a bad reputation, but opossums are quite beneficial. Join a park interpreter to discover the many misconceptions of these fascinating critters.
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Nov 13
3:00pm - 3:30pm

Lure Lore

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Fishing lures have a long and storied past, they invoke fond memories. Discover the origins of many lures and how that has influenced the ones we continue to use today. Follow the timeline of Lake Fort Smith and the Frog Bayou, and the tackle used...
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Nov 14
9:00am - 10:00am

Backyard Bass

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Fishing is fun, especially when you don’t even have to leave your backyard. Join a park interpreter in the visitor center for an opportunity to learn about fish identification. You will also have an opportunity to try different casting methods...
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Nov 14
10:00am - 10:30am

Arkansas Rocks: How Stone Sharpens Steel

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
The geological landscape of Arkansas provides many stones that are used in our daily life. Among these stones is novaculite, highly prized as a premier sharpening stone. Meet a park interpreter and try your hand at sharpening your own knife on this...
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Nov 14
1:00pm - 1:45pm

Life in a Covered Wagon

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Discover how the use of a covered wagon enabled pioneers to settle the area now known as Lake Fort Smith State Park. Daily life was full of hard choices of what to pack for the westward expansion. Meet a park interpreter and try your hand at...
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Nov 14
2:00pm - 2:30pm

Bird Bingo

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Join a park interpreter to play a fun game of bird bingo. As we play, we will discover more about the birds found at Lake Fort Smith State Park. Fun and prizes for all ages are available.
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Nov 14
3:00pm - 4:30pm

Lake Tour

Lake Tours
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Enjoy Lake Fort Smith State Park's history, scenery, geology, wildlife, and possible waterfalls on this boating adventure! Meet a park interpreter at the marina dock. Binoculars and life vests are provided. Space is limited and advanced registration...
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Nov 17
9:00am - 9:45am

Senior Hike to the Waterfall

Hikes
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Meet a park interpreter for a hike to the waterfall on the Ozark Highlands Trail. This trek is designed for hikers over 50 who appreciate a shorter hike at a more relaxed pace, but open to all ages. Total distance is approximately ¾-mile or 1500...
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Nov 17
2:00pm - 2:30pm

Mighty Eagles

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
The symbol of our nation comes in the form of a mighty bird, the eagle, but even the mighty can fall. Meet a park interpreter to learn the amazing story of resilience of the mighty eagle and how you can aid in their continued protection.
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Nov 18
10:00am - 10:30am

Hiking Tips

Programs
Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946-0004 United States
Are you prepared for your hike at Lake Fort Smith State Park? Do you have the equipment and skills necessary for a fun and safe hike? Meet a park interpreter to discover more about everything you need to successfully enjoy one of the park's beautiful...
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