COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDELINES ARE IN EFFECT FOR GUEST AND STAFF SAFETY. SPACE MAY BE LIMITED
Saturday, May 1st
9a.m. – Trail of Tears Across Arkansas – We will learn about the Trail of Tears and explore the role of Lake Dardanelle State Park and its surrounding area during removal. Native Americans, removed from their homes, made decisions here that changed their lives. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn some of the history that happened in this place. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
12:30p.m. – Hidden Creatures – Humans wear camouflage to blend in while hunting and sometimes just for style. Animals must use camouflage to survive in the wild. Meet a park interpreter at the amphitheater to see some pictures of these animals doing what they do best, blending in with nature, and see if you can spot all the hidden creatures in the pictures! Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
1p.m. – Snakes of Arkansas Look & Learn Table – Snakes are beneficial to environment of Lake Dardanelle State Park. Visit the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table near the fishing pier to discover what kinds of snakes live in the area, as well as how they help us.
2p.m. – Marsh Mystery – As the Arkansas River journeys through Lake Dardanelle, it continually shapes the land and creates opportunities for people like you. We must be careful when enjoying these opportunities that we don’t affect others. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater and help her solve a marsh mystery. Discover how you can help protect our natural areas. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
3:30p.m. – Travel Through Time – The construction of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System allows for much easier travel up and down the Arkansas River. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to discover how travel on the river has evolved over time. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
7:30p.m. – Transformers – Lake Dardanelle State Park’s healthy habitats are a haven for frogs and toads. Tadpoles and polliwogs transform into insect-eating machines throughout Lake Dardanelle State Park. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to discover more about their amazing transformation, and what to listen for to know they are around. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Sunday May 2nd
10a.m. – Beavers: Nature’s Engineers – Lake Dardanelle offers diverse habitat that allow many different and unique animals to live here, including the beaver. Everyone is familiar with the phrase, “busy as a beaver”, but how did they get the reputation of being such hard workers? Meet a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn more about these water-loving mammals. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
2p.m. – Eagle Measure Up – Bald Eagles are incredible not only for their beauty and speed but for their size as well. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater and discover how you measure up to an eagle. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Friday, May 7th
6:30p.m. – Evening Hike – Lake Dardanelle’s protected habitats give you the chance to explore nature along the 0.75 mile Meadowbrook Trail. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater for this easy hike as the sun goes down.
Saturday, May 8th
10a.m. – “The Lorax” – Dr. Seuss wrote the thought-provoking book, “The Lorax” filled with quotes like, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” This book has spurred many people into action. Meet a park interpreter at the amphitheater to listen to the reading of “The Lorax.” Bring your copy from home if you’d like to follow along! Seating will be blocked of as needed for social distancing.
12p.m. – Spider Hider – What has eight legs and eats bugs? Discover some of the fascinating things spiders do. How they make their homes, find food, and even which ones are dangerous to us. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater and learn about these amazing creatures. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
1:30p.m. – Hiking with Man’s Best Friend – Dogs are known as man’s best friend, and bringing them along with you to Lake Dardanelle State Park can make for a memorable outing. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn a few tips and tricks that you should keep in mind when bringing your dog to the park. Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join us as we head down the Meadowbrook Trail, an easy 0.75 mile walk. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
3p.m. – Wetland Safari – Lake Dardanelle’s diverse habitat is home to a wide variety of creatures, many of which can be found in our wetlands. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to explore some of the players in this vital ecosystem. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
4p.m. – Campground Wildlife Look & Learn Table – The diverse habitats in and around Lake Dardanelle State Park create many opportunities to see unique wildlife. The wildlife you encounter while camping may be the most memorable part of your trip. Stop by the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table in front of the visitor center to discover a few of the mammals that might visit your campsite.
7p.m. – Creatures of the Night – Lake Dardanelle is home to many creatures. Discover some of Lake Dardanelle State Park’s nocturnal residents. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater and learn what animals come out when we go to sleep. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Sunday, May 9th
1p.m. – Noticing Nature Scavenger Hunt – There is great diversity in habitat and animals at Lake Dardanelle, making it easy to explore and enjoy nature here. Let’s see how many of the nature items on our list you can find. Join a park ranger in front of the visitor center to get your list.
Friday, May 14th
7:30p.m. – Reptilian Riddles – Many creatures find a home in a Lake Dardanelle State Park, including a variety of reptiles. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to discover what makes our reptiles unique. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Saturday, May 15th
9:30a.m. – Color Walk – The great outdoors is filled with many colorful things. Thanks to Lake Dardanelle’s diverse habitats, you can discover just how bright and colorful the world around you is. Join a park interpreter at the visitor center for this easy color walk.
11:30a.m. – The Stories of Lake Dardanelle – Exploration, opportunity, and progress forged the culture you find here today. Meet a park interpreter at the amphitheater to hear some stories of the past that create the wonderful and unique culture in the River Valley. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
1p.m. – Turtles Lost & Found – Did you know that just by looking at the body of a turtle, it can tell you where it lives? Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn about some of the turtles found here in Lake Dardanelle. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
3p.m. – Seeds Look & Learn Table – The plants found in Lake Dardanelle State Park depend on spreading their seeds far and wide in order to survive, but they don’t move around like animals. Stop by the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table near the fishing pier to discover how plants get their seeds from one place to another.
4p.m. – Don’t let them Bug you – Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn about some of our tiny friends in nature. Discover how they help us and why we shouldn’t let them bug us. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
7p.m. – Masters of the Night – Bat populations are in decline due to misinformation and fear. Meet a park interpreter at the amphitheater to discover the bat myths that have given them a bad reputation and learn about which bats you can find here at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Sunday, May 16th
9a.m. – Morning Bird Walk – Join a park interpreter in front of the visitor center to take a walk through the area in search of our visiting birds. Even if you’ve never birded before, you can enjoy these creatures in a whole new way!
2p.m. – Focus on Fish – Why does Lake Dardanelle have such a healthy bass population? The health of this fishery is partially due to the good conservation practices of the staff at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to discover how we can better care for fish by learning about and understanding their habits. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Friday, May 21st
8p.m. – Nature’s Night Lights – Fireflies are a one-of-a-kind animal that can make your evening at Lake Dardanelle State Park truly magical. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to discover the magic behind these incredible little bugs as they light up the night. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Saturday, May 22nd
9:30a.m. – Animals Play Too – Animal children like to play. Their games teach them how to take care of themselves in the tough world they live in. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to discover some of these playful animals and how you can get a better glimpse of animal playtime. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
11a.m. – Meadowbrook Bingo – Lake Dardanelle State Park’s Meadowbrook Trail is a thriving natural area. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center for a leisurely stroll down the trail to discover some of the many things that call this area home, while playing a friendly game of Bingo.
12p.m. – Little Brother – Have you ever thought about how people survived before there were stores to buy what they needed? Come to the amphitheater to learn traditional Cherokee uses for parts of a deer. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
2p.m. – Bird Beak Look & Learn Table – Lake Dardanelle State Park provides a home for birds of all shapes and sizes. Each species’ beak is specially adapted to help it eat. Visit the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table near the fishing pier to discover how widely the birds in the park vary.
4p.m. – Know your Pollinators – Pollinators are small but mighty. We have many native pollinators who do their part to ensure the survival of all the ecosystems they are part of. Join a park interpreter in front of the visitor center to learn who some of the mighty wonders are and how we can help them.
7p.m. – Who Goes There? – There are many creatures that call Lake Dardanelle home. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to discover who they are and what clues they leave behind as they move about. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Sunday, May 23rd
11a.m. – Nature Journals – Many of the early explorers, including those that traveled through the area around what is now Lake Dardanelle State Park, kept journals of the things they saw and experienced as they traversed the wilderness. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn why it was so important. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
2p.m. – Reptiles of the River – Lake Dardanelle is home to variety of wildlife, but do you ever wonder just what there is out there in the river? Are there snakes?
Is that a snapping turtle? Join a park interpreter at the fishing pier to learn the reptiles of the river. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Friday, May 28th
8p.m. – Night Flight – Owls are known for the silent flight and recognizable calls. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn about the owls you might find in and around Lake Dardanelle State Park. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Saturday, May 29th
9:30a.m. – Morning Kayaking – Enjoy a quiet morning on Lake Dardanelle on this 1.5 hour guided paddle with a park interpreter. You will be able to explore the coves of the lake and watch the wildlife as we go. Interpreters will provide instruction and guidance, so no experience is necessary, but you should be comfortable around water. Kayaks, life jackets, and paddles are provided. The fee is $12 for adults, $6 for children 6-12, under 6 not permitted. Sign up at the visitor center or call 479-967-5516 at least one day in advance. If you prefer a tandem kayak (2 people), please specify when you register. We will meet at the visitor center. This will be conditions permitting.
12p.m. – Wildlife Bingo – You can explore nature at this park because Lake Dardanelle’s diverse habitats sustain many living creatures. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater and discover some of the creatures that call this area home. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
1p.m. – Catch of the Day – Thanks to the healthy fishery of Lake Dardanelle, you can experience the thrill of nature and the success of the catch. Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center to discover the diversity of the fishery and Lake Dardanelle State Park’s role in maintaining that. You will then have the chance to practice your casting! Bring a blanket or chair to sit on.
3p.m. – What You Find Stays Behind Look & Learn Table – By following the fourth Leave No Trace principle, “Leave what you find,” while visiting Lake Dardanelle State Park, you and the next person to visit can both enjoy your trip! Stop by the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table at the visitor center to take a look at some of the cool things you can find in the park and learn why it’s best when what you find stays behind!
4p.m. – Crumpled Watershed – The watershed surrounding Lake Dardanelle is the backbone for the Arkansas River as the river journeys through the lake creating opportunities for people like you. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn about Lake Dardanelle’s vast and wide watershed. Then make your own watershed and see how the water rolls through your land! Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
7p.m. – Know Your State – How well do you know the history and folklore of Arkansas? Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater for this fun quiz game. All ages welcome! Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Sunday, May 30th
10a.m. – Wildlife Hike – You can explore nature at this park because Lake Dardanelle’s diverse habitats sustain many living creatures. Meadowbrook Trail is home to many of these creatures. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater and discover what animals call this area home. Then head down the trail to see how many creatures you can see or what traces of them we can find.
1p.m. – In-seine Adventure – Lake Dardanelle has a healthy and diverse aquatic environment, but what lives in the lake other than fish and turtles? Join a park interpreter at the kayak beach to seine for macro-invertebrates and find out. Wear water shoes and clothing that can get wet.
2p.m. – Talking Turkey – Cherokees who historically inhabited this area were heavily dependent on nature for their livelihood. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater as she explains the importance the wild turkey. Learn how Cherokee historical uses for the turkey differ from the uses of today. Discover why turkey, is not just for dinner. Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
3p.m. – Camouflage Look & Learn Table – What is camouflage and what is it for? Animals use it to survive in the wild by blending into their surroundings. Visit the park interpreter’s Look & Learn near the fishing pier to learn about the benefits of camouflage in the wild.
8p.m. – Insect Orchestra – Have you heard the music that the insects here at Lake Dardanelle make in the evenings? Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn more about how insects make their music and help us create our own “insect orchestra.” Seating will be blocked off as needed for social distancing.
Monday, May 31st Memorial Day
9a.m. – Nature’s Bounty Hike – The area surrounding Lake Dardanelle has a diverse history. The area had many pioneers and trappers who came and lived off the land, as well as Cherokees who settled here when they were pressured to leave their homeland in the east in the early 1800’s. Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater, we will travel down the Meadowbrook Trail and discover some of the tree species vital for all who settled this area.
10:30a.m. – The Ozark Chinquapin: A Fight for Survival – Lake Dardanelle State Park protects healthy and diverse habitats in part thank to the conservation efforts of park staff. Join a park interpreter near the swim beach parking area to learn about the Ozark chinquapin and the efforts to keep this historic species alive. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on.
1p.m. – Tree Maze – Lake Dardanelle State Park has a diverse ecosystem that supports a wide variety of life. Race through this life-sized tree maze to discover some of the trees found here and what makes them stand out from the others. We will meet at the amphitheater with seating blocked off as needed for social distancing.
2p.m. – Ship Shape – All things in nature are made of certain basic shapes. Join a park interpreter in front of the visitor center and hike around the park and discover just how many shapes are out there.
3p.m. – Macroinvertebrates Look & Learn Table – Lake Dardanelle has an abundance of macroinvertebrates living in the water. Stop by the park interpreter’s Look & Learn Table near the visitor center to find out what some of our macroinvertebrates are, and why they are so good to have around!
Remember that all our programs count toward earning your State Park Explorer Certificate. If you would like more information on this program, ask one of our Park Interpreters.
Lake Dardanelle State Park, 100 State Park Drive Russellville, AR 72802, 479-967-5516, www.arkansasstateparks.com