Arkansas State Park Events

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 106 - 120 of 206
Aug 15
9:00am - 9:45am

Bear Cave Hike

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Join a park interpreter at the Bear Cave trailhead for an interesting walk among the giant sandstone boulders and slot canyons of the Bear Cave area. This is a relatively easy 1/4-mile hike that is great for the whole family. Please wear sturdy shoes...
Aug 15
11:00am - 11:45am

Rock House Cave Hike

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Meet a park interpreter at the Rock House Cave trailhead to hike to the park's archeology site, Rock House Cave. We will view American Indian rock art and discover more about the windows into the past that these images provide. This hike is 1/4-mile...
Aug 15
1:00pm - 1:30pm

"Meet a Tree" Hike

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
What would Petit Jean State Park be like without our trees? Meet a park interpreter at the amphitheater for a short hike to get to know the trees of the park and how they shape the land. This program lasts about 30 minutes.
Aug 15
3:00pm - 4:00pm

Rock Climbing Basics

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Are you interested in rock climbing or rappelling on the beautiful Hartshorne sandstone cliffs of Petit Jean Mountain but unsure of how to get started? Join a park interpreter in the CCC room at Mather Lodge to learn how to get started on your...
Aug 15
4:00pm - 5:00pm

CCC Softball

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
This friendly game connects participants to the past at Petit Jean: Members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) who built this park in the 1930s played softball as a form of recreation while living and working here. Meet the park interpreters...
Aug 15
6:00pm - 6:45pm

Summer Serenade: The Frogs of Lake Bailey

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Every summer evening the lake comes alive with a chorus of frogs. Meet a park interpreter at the amphitheater to hear their song and learn the froggy faces behind our summer serenade. This program lasts about 45 minutes.
Aug 15
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Rock Climbing Beta Blast

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Struggling to figure out that one move or get your foot to stick on that tiny foothold? You might need the “Beta,” or the specific body positioning, sequence of moves, and techniques needed to get to the top of your climb. Join a park interpreter...
Aug 16
9:00am - 10:00am

Pedal and Picnic Ride

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Join a park interpreter for a family-friendly bike ride along the CCC Hike and Bike Trail. We’ll start at the CCC Hike and Bike trailhead at the old visitor center, ride to Mather Lodge with a stop at the Lower Cedar Creek Canyon overlook, then...
Aug 16
11:00am - 11:30am

Legends of Petit Jean

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Petit Jean is a strange mountain with many natural wonders, but that isn’t all that is fascinating. Meet a park interpreter to discover some stories surrounding the naming of this mountain during the early days of exploration.
Aug 16
1:00pm - 1:45pm

"Becoming A Wildlife Watcher" Walk

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Meet a park interpreter at the pool parking area to begin your nature observation adventure. We will learn some helpful habits for observing wildlife and shortly embark on a seasonal nature walk to put our skills to the test. Please remember to wear...
Aug 16
3:00pm - 3:45pm

"Life in Lake Bailey" Hike

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Join a park interpreter at the demonstration area behind the visitor center for a chance to examine the unseen life that resides beneath the surface of Lake Bailey. We will learn about the unique ecosystem our lake supports, and the aquatic creatures...
Aug 16
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Birding 101 Walk

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Interested in birding but not sure where to start? Join a park interpreter for an introduction to birding basics at the visitor center breezeway. We will take an easy walk around the visitor center lawn and Lake Bailey, and you will learn to spot and...
Aug 16
8:00pm - 9:00pm

Night Hike at the Reservoir

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Meet a park interpreter at the pool parking lot for a special night-hiking experience around the Reservoir and the CCC Hike and Bike Trail. We will look for some of the nocturnal creatures that call Petit Jean Mountain home. Please bring along a...
Aug 17
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Five Essential Knots

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
The art of tying knots is an essential skill to enhance your camping, climbing and outdoor experiences. So often though, knots can feel overcomplicated and confusing. Join a park interpreter in the CCC room at Mather Lodge to learn five simple knots...
Aug 17
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Rock Climbing Beta Blast

Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110 United States
Struggling to figure out that one move or get your foot to stick on that tiny foothold? You might need the “Beta,” or the specific body positioning, sequence of moves, and techniques needed to get to the top of your climb. Join a park interpreter...