The Official Website of the State of Arkansas

What can we help you find?

Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

  • Arkansas.gov
  • Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

How Many Hawks?

Join a park interpreter at the Cameron Bluff Overlook learn how to help Mount Magazine State Park identify and count broad-winged hawks! Participants could potentially view broad-winged hawks in action, as they visit Mount Magazine on their long trip to Central and South America. Feel free to bring with you any level of bird-watching experience, and your favorite binoculars!

Read More »

The 2023 Great Arkansas Cleanup at Village Creek State Park

Join us at Village Creek State Park for the 2023 Great Arkansas Cleanup on Saturday, September 30th. Participants will meet from 8-9 a.m. in the Meeting Room next to the Visitor Center to sign-in and receive cleaning supplies, cleaning assignments, and their free t-shirt. We will spend the morning cleaning different areas of the park. Afterwards, participants are welcome to stay for a free hot dog lunch at 12:00 pm in the Meeting Room. Hours of volunteer service can go towards the Arkansas State Parks’ Centennial Service Program. For early registration and more information, call us at (870) 238-9406.

Read More »

Frontier Days

Learn about the early settlement of the area in the 1820s and 1830s and the beginning of the town of Washington. Take a tour of town and learn about some of the early settlers of town and what brought them to southwest Arkansas. For more information contact the park at (870) 983-2684.

Read More »

CZDC Special Meeting

Conference call with the Consultants Microsoft Teams meeting Join on your computer, mobile app or room device Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 295 029 255 767 Passcode: tFv2nq  Download Teams | Join on the web Or call in (audio only) +1 501-244-3310,,338398356#   United States, Little Rock  Phone Conference ID: 338 398 356#  Find a local number | Reset PIN The post CZDC Special Meeting appeared first on adpht.arkansas.gov.

Read More »

Sunset Lake Cruise

Enjoy Lake Fort Smith’s history, scenery, geology, wildlife, and possible waterfalls and sunset on this boating adventure! Meet Park Interpreter Mystina at the marina dock. Binoculars and life vests are provided. Preregistration is required and space is limited. Register and pay at the marina before 3pm. This activity is dependent on weather and lake conditions.

Read More »

Stories and Strolling on Stout’s Point

Meet Park Interpreter BT to explore a couple of the lesser-known sites in the area – the YMCA “College Lodge” and the area where the “Hotel Petit Jean” was located around 100 years ago. Warning: beautiful scenery involved.

Read More »

Hiking with Nature Sense

Join Park Interpreter Mystina for a hike to put your sense of sight, touch, smell, and hearing to the test as you explore some of the natural things found in Lake Fort Smith State Park. Meet at the Warren Hollow trailhead near the group lodges. 

Read More »

Legacy of the WPA

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 legacy of the WPA lives here at Lake Fort Smith State Park with their creation of the original 1930s-built dam, lake, and recreation facility that later became the original Lake Fort Smith State Park. Join Park Interpreter Mystina in the visitor center Theater Room to explore the park’s WPA legacy and then enjoy a video documentary about FDR and his WPA.

Read More »

Birding from Shepherd Springs Road

Sometimes the best birding comes from pulling over on the side of the road in an area of prime habitat. Join Park Interpreter Mystina for a carpool road trip down Shepherd Springs Road to bird from the road. This area is wooded and a great place to look for birds, especially during fall migration. Bring your binoculars and field guides if you have them. Binoculars are provided if needed. For the program meeting location, turn right from the park entrance sign and follow Shepherd Springs Road until you see the white park van parked on the side of the road.

Read More »