by Britany Reese
Arkansas State Parks offer winding trails, stunning waterfalls, and quiet moments in nature. It’s time to accept an invitation to slow down, explore, and reconnect with the outdoors around the Natural State.
Petit Jean State Park Highlights
Legends of Petit Jean
- Friday, August 1, 2025
- Sunday, August 10, 2025
- Friday, August 22, 2025
- Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- Friday, September 5, 2025
- Saturday, September 20, 2025
Description: Shrouded in mystery and towering above the valley, Petit Jean is more than a mountain. Meet at the Petit Jean Gravesite Overlook to walk its paths with a park interpreter and uncover the tale behind its name.
More information: Legends of Petit Jean
Owl Prowl
- Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 9-9:45 p.m.
- Sunday, August 24, 2025, from 9-9:45 p.m.
- Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 9-9:45 p.m.
Description: Meet at Seven Hollows Parking Area to hang out with a park interpreter and dive into the mysterious world of owls, the night’s coolest hunters that call Petit Jean State Park home! Before the night ends, we might even get a special visit from some real owls. Don’t forget your flashlight and comfy close-toed shoes for this fun ¾ -mile hike under the stars!
More information: Owl Prowl
Campfire Trivia and Stories
- Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 8-8:45 p.m.
Description: Gather at the amphitheater for an evening of Petit Jean State Park trivia with a park interpreter. As the cool mountain air surrounds us, we’ll share captivating stories of the mountain’s past and dive into a fun, old-fashioned trivia game.
The program lasts about 45 minutes. Remember to bring a flashlight for the walk back to your car or campsite! Campfire availability depends on the current burn ban status.
More information: Campfire Trivia and Stories
Petit Jean Softball
- Saturday, August 2, 2025
- Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Saturday, August 23, 2025
- Saturday, August 30, 2025
Description: Meet the park interpreters at the CCC Ballfield for a lively family game of softball. The park will provide some equipment, but feel free to bring your own and join the fun out on the field.
More information: Petit Jean Softball
Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Take Nothing But Pictures
- Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 3-4 p.m.
Description: Ever stumbled upon a stunning rock or a vibrant flower while hiking and wished you could take it home? Join a park interpreter for a peaceful stroll along a short stretch of the base trail as we uncover the hidden gems of Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Learn why these natural treasures are so important and discover clever ways to carry their beauty with you, without taking them away, so future visitors can enjoy them too.
More information: Take Nothing But Pictures
What’s in a Cache?
- Sunday, August 17, 2025, from 1-1:45 p.m.
Description: Join a park interpreter at the West Summit Area Playground for a fun adventure all about geocaching! Discover the different types of caches you might find and learn cool ways to add your own special touch when you uncover one.
More information: What’s in a Cache?
Little Wild Ones
- Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 10-11 a.m.
Description: Meet at the visitor center for a fun and engaging nature program specially designed for children ages 3 to 5. Spend an hour exploring and learning with a park interpreter and members of the Central Arkansas Master Naturalists.
More information: Little Wild Ones
Lake Dardanelle State Park
Snakeskin Bookmarks
- Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 10-11 a.m.
Description: Have you ever found a snake’s shed skin? Join a park interpreter at the weigh-in pavilion to learn why snakes shed, what their skin can tell us, and how they grow. Afterward, make your own snakeskin bookmark to take home as a wild souvenir!
More information: Snakeskin Bookmarks
The Arkansas Traveler
- Friday, August 1, 2025, from 9-9:45 a.m.
Description: Lake Dardanelle State Park has been the setting for many important moments in history, including the story behind the “Arkansas Traveler,” a piece that has shaped Arkansas folklore for generations. This area is believed to have inspired the famous painting. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to explore the fascinating history and meaning behind this iconic artwork.
More information: The Arkansas Traveler
Mount Nebo State Park
Ozark Chinquapin: Saving an American Treasure
- Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 2-2:45 p.m.
Description: Once a star of the forest, the Ozark Chinquapin has all but vanished from its native home over the past century. Where did it go? And how is Mount Nebo State Park helping bring it back? Join a park interpreter at the visitor center back porch to dig into the story of this beautiful, disappearing tree, and discover what the park staff are doing to bring this beautiful tree back.
More information: Ozark Chinquapin: Saving an American Treasure
Mount Nebo’s Monumental Sand Lizards
Sunday, July 27, 2025, from 8:30-10 a.m.
Description: What exactly is a sand lizard, and why is there a Monument Trail named after it at Mount Nebo State Park? Meet a park interpreter at Sunrise Point for a moderate 1.5-mile guided hike to explore the different lizards that call the mountain home and discover their importance to the environment and community.
More information: Mount Nebo’s Monumental Sand Lizards
From the legendary bluffs of Petit Jean to the sky-high views of Mount Nebo, Arkansas State Parks are full of wonder. Lake Dardanelle shimmers with riverfront beauty and eagle sightings, while Pinnacle Mountain dares you to climb and see the world from above. Each park tells a different story, but together, they capture the heart of the Natural State.
