Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area, June 2025 Event Schedule:

Most programs/events are free and will meet at the Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. Call the park office at 479.789.5000 or visit the Arkansas State Parks web site under Hobbs State Park events or the Friends of Hobbs State Park Facebook page or web site to check on future programs. 

Sunday, June 1^st, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Lori Carter, voln.

Forest Bathing Walk at Van Winkle Hollow: Join presenter Lori Carter for a guided forest bathing walk. Through a series of mindful invitations, you’ll be encouraged to notice, feel, and be fully present with the world around you. There will be moments of quiet reflection, opportunities to share, and a closing tea gathering to celebrate our time with ourselves, the land, and each other. This practice is designed to support emotional, physical, and mental well-being. No previous experience is needed—just bring your curiosity, an open heart, and a willingness to slow down. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, seeking inspiration, or simply longing for stillness, or just wanting to be outside, this walk is a chance to remember that you are nature and receive whatever it is you need in the moment. Meet at the Van Winkle trailhead. A maximum of 15 participants is allowed. Minimum age is 12. NO charge for this event. Registration required. Call (479) 789-5000

Sunday, June 1^st, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Steve

Leave No Trace Tabletop: The choices you make when you are outside make a big difference. The Leave No Trace principles are important for all ages, but especially for girls and boys who are just beginning to experience camping, hiking, and the outdoors in general. Come and go as you please. A 15-minute program will start every half hour.

Friday, June 6^th, 9:00-11:00 a.m. Chris and Brian Breeding

Birding on Beaver Lake Kayak Tour: Join our park interpreters and spend the morning birding from inside a kayak. Learn the basics of kayaking and enjoy the spring scenery on the lake, weather permitting. Meet at the Visitor Center and then caravan to the launch site. All equipment is provided. Space is limited to 10 people. Bring a bottle of water, insect repellent, binoculars, and dress for the weather. We will have binoculars available for those without them. Minimum age 9. NO charge for this event. Registration required. Call (479) 789-5000

Saturday, June 7^th, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Trish and Steve Kick, voln.

Fishing 101 Workshop: It’s Arkansas Free Fishing Weekend and no permits are required. Both kids and adults are welcome to join our park interpreters and spend the morning fishing along the banks of Beaver Lake in this hands-on workshop. Learn the basics of fishing including how to rig a pole, select bait, and identify fish. Bring your own gear or use some of ours. Bring a chair if you like. This program may be cancelled if severe weather is forecast. Meet at Van Hollow Road public access. Call (479) 789-5000 for directions.

Saturday, June 7^th, 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Chris

Hobbs Hiking Club for Adults: Join a park interpreter for our monthly hike for adults on the first Saturday of each month. Each hike will include healthy outdoor recreation, sharing some of nature’s secrets, and the opportunity to socialize. Bring a friend and meet some new ones! Dogs are welcome if they are leashed and not aggressive and owners pick up their dog waste. The trail, distance, and time may vary month to month, but fun will always be had! For our June hike we’ll meet at the Pigeon Roost Trailhead and hike the 3-mile round-trip section to the lake and back which includes a moderately strenuous uphill section. Snacks will be provided for all to enjoy at the lake overlook, halfway through the hike. Parking is limited so please carpool if possible. Recommended age 18+

Sunday, June 8^th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Steve

Fishing on Beaver Lake Tabletop: Learn more about fishing in the Natural State during the Arkansas free fishing weekend. Find out where to access the lake from within the park for your next fishing adventure and learn more about the common fish species in Beaver Lake. All ages can see how well they can cast by playing a fun fishing game and take home a fishing guide. A 15-minute program will start every half hour. Come and go as you please.

Tuesday, June 10^th, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Chris and Brian Breeding, voln.

Full Moon Kayak Tour: Spend the evening paddling on Beaver Lake with a park interpreter under the full moon. Learn the basics of kayaking, see what’s visible in the night sky, and enjoy the sounds of the night on the lake, weather permitting. Meet at the Visitor Center and then caravan to the launch site. All equipment is provided. Bring a bottle of water, insect repellent, flashlight, and dress for the weather. Minimum age 9. NO charge for this event. Space is limited to 10 people. Registration required. Call (479) 789-5000 to register.

Wednesday, June 11^th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Chris (on vacation June 12-20)

“Got Water?” Monument Trail Tabletop: Water is essential to have available on your outdoor adventures, whether hiking or biking the trails. Learn how to figure out how much water you need to take on hikes or rides to avoid dehydration. Find out methods of purifying water for longer hikes or camping trips, and in case of an emergency. Test your knowledge of the water cycle and see if you can figure out how to create a water still from simple materials. This tabletop will be set up at the Monument Trail parking area near the Visitor Center. A 15-minute program will start every half hour. Come and go as you please.

Thursday, June 12^th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Steve

Leave No Trace Tabletop: The choices you make when you are outside make a big difference. The Leave No Trace principles are important for all ages, but especially for girls and boys who are just beginning to experience camping, hiking, and the outdoors in general. Come and go as you please. A 15-minute program will start every half hour.

Friday, June 13^th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Kerrigan

Trees of Hobbs Tabletop: Hobbs is dominated by forests made up of various tree species, including the now rare Ozark chinquapin. Discover more about these TREE-mendous providers of food, shelter, and oxygen, as well as other important products, for us and many forest creatures. A 15-minute program will start every half hour. Come and go as you please.

Saturday, June 14^th, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Alan Bland, voln.

Van Winkle History Hike: Join a Park Interpreter on an easy 0.5-mile hike on an ADA accessible trail through the Historic Van Winkle Hollow and learn about the Van Winkle family and their mill, the largest steam-powered mill in the state during the 1870’s. The area is on the National Register of Historic Places. Meet at the Van Winkle Trailhead.

Saturday, June 14^th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Steve

Monument Trail Tabletop: Wolf Den: Come spend some time biking or hiking the Monument Trails at Hobbs State Park! We’ll have a fun photo op and trail information waiting for you at the Monument Trail parking area near the Visitor Center. Get the inside scoop on how Wolf Den trail got its name during a brief 15-minute program that will be offered every half hour. Come and go as you please.

Sunday, June 15^th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lizabeth

Venomous Snakes of Hobbs Tabletop: Did you know that there are 4 species of venomous snakes at Hobbs? Come learn more about the lives and behavior of these secretive creatures and how to tell the difference between them and non-venomous snakes. Make a snake craft! A 15-minute program will start every half hour and visitors that choose to can interact with a live, non-venomous, snake ambassador. Come and go as you please.

Wednesday, June 18^th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Kerrigan, voln. intern

Pollination Station Tabletop: Come celebrate Natl. Pollinator Week and learn about our native pollinators – some might surprise you! Find out how pollinators help bring beauty to our landscapes and help our crops grow in a fun 15-minute program that will be offered every half hour. A pollinator-themed craft will be available to make. Come and go as you please.

Thursday, June 19^th, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Kerrigan, voln. intern

Pollination Station Tabletop: Come celebrate Natl. Pollinator Week and learn about our native pollinators – some might surprise you! Find out how pollinators help bring beauty to our landscapes and help our crops grow in a fun 15-minute program that will be offered every half hour. A pollinator-themed craft will be available to make. Come and go as you please.

Friday, June 20^th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Steve

“Got Water?” Monument Trail Tabletop: Water is essential to have available on your outdoor adventures, whether hiking or biking the trails. Learn how to figure out how much water you need to take on hikes or rides to avoid dehydration. Find out methods of purifying water for longer hikes or camping trips, and in case of an emergency. Test your knowledge of the water cycle and see if you can figure out how to create a water still from simple materials. This tabletop will be set up at the Monument Trail parking area near the Visitor Center. A 15-minute program will start every half hour. Come and go as you please.

Saturday, June 21^st, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Chris

Goin’ on a Bug Hike: Insects and other invertebrates are very important but are often misunderstood. Join a Park Interpreter on a bug hunt around the Visitor Center as we discover their diversity and learn how we can help them. Nets and bug jars are provided.

Saturday, June 21^st, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Steve

Mysterious Forest Objects Tabletop: Look at some mysterious objects found in the forest around Hobbs, see if you can identify them, then learn more about them. A 15-minute program will start every half hour. Come and go as you please.  

Saturday, June 21^st, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Chris

Reader’s Theater Hike: A Brief History of Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area: Join a Park Interpreter for this reader’s theater-style program where you – the audience members – help tell the interesting story of this place right where it happened! We’ll hike the ADA accessible Van Winkle Hollow Trail, an easy half-mile round trip. This program will be both educational and fun, but you must be willing to participate! Meet at the Van Winkle Trailhead.

Sunday, June 22^nd, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. Steve

Trees of Hobbs Tabletop: Hobbs is dominated by forests made up of various tree species, including the now rare Ozark chinquapin. Discover more about these TREE-mendous providers of food, shelter, and oxygen, as well as other important products, for us and many forest creatures. A 15-minute program will start every half hour. Come and go as you please.

Wednesday, June 25^th, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Chris and Ari Eatmon, voln.

Sunset Kayak Tour: Spend the evening paddling on Beaver Lake while guided by a park interpreter. We will learn the basics of paddling and enjoy the sunset on the lake. Meet at the Visitor Center and then caravan to the launch site. All equipment is provided. Space is limited to 10 people. Bring a bottle of water, insect repellent, flashlight, and dress for the weather. Minimum age 9. NO charge for this event. Registration required. Call (479) 789-5000

Friday, June 27^th, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Chris

Black Bear Hike at Sinking Stream Trail: Black Bears were once so plentiful in Arkansas that our state was known as the Bear State. Join a park interpreter on this family-friendly 0.5-mile hike along Sinking Stream Trail to discover more about the black bear, how to live safely in bear country, and other “bear” necessities. Meet at the Sinking Stream Trailhead.

Friday, June 27^th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  Chris

Monument Trail Tabletop: Wolf Den: Come spend some time biking or hiking the Monument Trails at Hobbs State Park! We’ll have a fun photo op and trail information waiting for you at the Monument Trail parking area near the Visitor Center. Get the inside scoop on how Wolf Den trail got its name during a brief 15-minute program that will be offered every half hour. Come and go as you please.

Friday, June 27^th, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Steve and guest speaker

Friends of Hobbs Speaker Series: Trail Trees with Don Wells: Trail trees, also known as trail marker trees, crooked trees, prayer trees, thong trees, or culturally modified trees are hardwood trees throughout North America that Native Americans intentionally shaped with distinctive characteristics that convey that the tree was shaped by human activity. Join Don Wells, the author of the book, "Mystery of the Trees", which is based on his research on the use of trees by Native Americans for the purpose of marking trails.

Saturday, June 28^th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Chris help set up, Austin Jones, guest presenter

ENTO-ROADSHOW!: Come visit Hobbs for the ENTO-ROADSHOW, a travelling STEAM (science, technology, art, and math) classroom trailer that has interactive displays from the University of Arkansas Arthropod Museum, as well as insect and arthropod related art generated by U of A students. Visitors will get a chance to see specimen collections, play insect themed games, make arthropod art and even try and find some bugs themselves. Come and go as you please.

Saturday, June 28^th, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Chris

Monument Trail Etiquette and Safety Tabletop: Before or after your bike ride or hike, stop by a tabletop at the Monument Trail parking lot by the Visitor Center and visit with a Park Interpreter about trail etiquette, outdoor safety, and Leave No Trace. A 15-minute program will start every half hour. Come and go as you please.

Saturday, June 28^th, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. Chris

Creek Critter Hike: A Park Interpreter will lead an exploration of Little Clifty Creek along the Van Winkle trail. We’ll catch crawdads, aquatic insects, and other creatures! Learn how they can tell us if the water is clean or polluted. Meet at the Van Winkle Trailhead, and wear water shoes or old tennis shoes for wading. Total hike length will be 0.5-mile. Recommended age 5+

Sunday, June 29^th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Steve

Venomous Snakes of Hobbs Tabletop: Did you know that there are 4 species of venomous snakes at Hobbs? Come learn more about the lives and behavior of these secretive creatures and how to tell the difference between them and non-venomous snakes. Make a snake craft! A 15-minute program will start every half hour and visitors that choose to can interact with a live, non-venomous, snake ambassador. Come and go as you