HAPPENINGS AT HOBBS STATE PARK
Saturday, March 9
Mother Nature Reads
10:30 a.m. — Visitor Center; 1 hour
A continuation of the “Mother Nature Reads” series. Circle around as one of our talented park docents or staff sits in the Mother Nature rocker telling stories about the nature that surrounds us. Story time will be followed by a “hands on” activity or craft. Children of all ages are welcome but most stories will target children 3-6 years of age.
Hobbs: The Hidden Diversity
11 a.m. — Visitor Center; 45 minutes
Many folks who live in northwest Arkansas don’t know all the wonderful things about Arkansas’ largest state park, Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area. Join a park interpreter as he explains the hidden diversity of the park.
Exploring the Hobbs Visitor Center
3 p.m. — Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter as you are guided through the unique wonders of the Hobbs Visitor Center. Discover the critters that have left marks on the floor, the atlatl used by the Native Americans, and so many more hidden treasures in the Visitor Center.
Sunday, March 10 Van Winkle Historic Trail Tour
11 a.m. — Trailhead on Hwy. 12; 1 hour
Join your guide for this stroll through history on our barrier-free Historic Van Winkle Trail. Learn about the late 1800’s history and Peter Van Winkle.
The Lorax
1 p.m. — Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter as he reads Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and tells of the importance of trees. A great story and message for youngsters and oldsters alike.
Live Box Turtle
3 p.m. — Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter in the lobby of the visitor center as he explains some fascinating things about one of Hobbs’ most common reptiles, the 3-toed box turtle.
Wednesday, March 13
Mother Nature Reads
10:30 a.m. — Visitor Center; 1 hour
Join us for our continuation of the “Mother Nature Reads” series. Circle around as one of our talented park docents or staff sits in the Mother Nature rocker telling stories about the nature that surrounds us. Story time will be followed by a “hands on” activity or craft. Children of all ages are welcome but most stories will target children 3-6 years of age.
March, 16-24
Spring Break Celebration
Spring has sprung! Join the Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area staff as we celebrate spring. All week there will be programs, hikes, boat cruises, and a day camp for 8-12 year olds! Get outside and enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature’s rebirth! For a detailed schedule, contact the park at 789-5000.
Saturday, March 16
Trail Run
11 a.m. — Piney Road Trailhead; 1 hour
Hobbs State Park has a great trail system for run- ning. Join a park interpreter to embark in a morning run on Bashore Trail. Pace will be moderate and a water break at the halfway point. Dress appropriately and bring plenty of water.
Fire for Housekeeping
1 p.m. — Picnic tables; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter to learn how we use fire as a cleaning service at Hobbs State Park. Have the chance to see the difference between a controlled burn and wildfire.
Furry Factoids
3 p.m. — Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter to learn some of the fun, often unknown, facts about our furry friends running around Hobbs State Park.
Spring Wonders Cruise
3 p.m. — Rocky Branch Marina; 1.5 hours
Join your interpretive guide for a peaceful afternoon on the water. Witness spring’s rebirth as you cruise the Van Winkle arm of Beaver Lake, one of the last undeveloped areas of the lake. Pre-registration and payment required. Buy your tickets at the visitor center front desk or call 789-5000.
Cost: $10 Adults, $5 children (6-12) under 6 free
Lifejackets are provided and must be worn at all times.
Registration and pre-payment required. Call 7895000 for information and to register.
Astronomy Night
6:30 p.m. — Visitor Center; 2 hours
Join the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society as you learn all about the heavens above! Start off in the classroom then venture outside to see the stars for yourself. Please bring a folding chair for each participant for the outside observing portion and fasten a red cloth or red balloon over your flashlight.
Sunday, March 17 Mountain Bike Ride
11 a.m. — Piney Road Trailhead; 1 hour
Join a park interpreter for a ride along the Bashore Trail. Bring your bike, helmet, water and a sense of adventure. Tour intended for intermediate riders.
Live Box Turtle
1 p.m. — Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter in the lobby of the visitor center as he explains some fascinating things about one of Hobbs’ most common reptiles, the 3-toed box turtle.
Spring Wonders Cruise
3 p.m. — Rocky Branch Marina; 1.5 hours
Join your interpretive guide for a peaceful afternoon on the water. Witness spring’s rebirth as you cruise the Van Winkle arm of Beaver Lake, one of the last undeveloped areas of the lake. Pre-registration and payment required. Buy your tickets at the visitor center front desk or call (479) 789-5000.
Cost: $10 Adults, $5 children (6-12) under 6 free
Lifejackets are provided and must be worn at all times.
Registration and pre-payment required. Call 7895000 for information and to register.
Monday, March 18 Exhibit Scavenger Hunt
all day — Visitor Center Families are invited to participate in a self guided scavenger hunt through the visitor center and its exhibit area. Discover the many wonders of this facility and the park as you complete this hunt together. Receive a prize at the front desk when you turn in your scavenger hunt sheet.
Ozark Plateau Hike
11 a.m. — Trailhead next to Visitor Center; 45 minutes
Join a guide as you explore the forest around the visitor center along our paved trail. Learn what creatures and plants hide along the edges of the trail.
Sky Cotton Balls
1 p.m. — Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter as you delve into the mysteries of those cotton balls up in the sky. Discover the different types of clouds and much more!
Tuesday, March 19 Exhibit Scavenger Hunt
all day — Visitor Center Families are invited to participate in a self guided scavenger hunt through the visitor center and its exhibit area. Discover the many wonders of this facility and the park as you complete this hunt together. Receive a prize at the front desk when you turn in your scavenger hunt sheet
Trail Run
11 a.m. — Piney Road Trailhead; 1 hour
Hobbs State Park has a great trail system for running. Join a park interpreter to embark on a morning run on Bashore Trail. Pace will be moderate and a water break at the halfway point. Dress appropriately and bring plenty of water.
Get Outside: Camping Skills Demonstration
3 p.m. — Visitor Center Trailhead; 30 minutes
Basic camping skills give you the tools you need to enjoy the great outdoors. Join a park interpreter to gather some basic camping skills that include: Tent setup, site selection and fire building techniques and safety.
Wednesday, March 20 Searching for Diversity
11 a.m. — Trailhead next to Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter as you are shown the way to search the woods for unique treasures that lay just off the trail. Be prepared to leave the “beaten” path!
Leave No Trace Explored
1 p.m. — Visitor Center Trailhead; 30 minutes
Leave No Trace principles provide us with valuable tools to help conserve the places we enjoy. Join a park interpreter for a hike down the Ozark Plateau Trail to explore some of the principles of Leave No Trace.
Live Box Turtle
3 p.m. — Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter in the lobby of the visitor center as he explains some fascinating things about one of Hobbs’ most common reptiles, the 3-toed box turtle.
Thursday, March 21 Mountain Bike Ride
11 a.m. — Piney Road Trailhead; 1 hour
Join a park interpreter for a ride along the Bashore Trail. Bring your bike, helmet, water and a sense of adventure. Tour intended for intermediate riders.
Hobbs: The Hidden Diversity
1 p.m. — Visitor Center; 45 minutes
Many folks who live in northwest Arkansas don’t know all the wonderful things about Arkansas’s largest state park, Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area. Join a park interpreter as he explains the Hidden Diversity of the park.
The Lorax
3 p.m. — Visitor Center; 30 minutes
Join a park interpreter as he reads Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax and tells of the importance of trees. A great story and message for youngsters and oldsters alike.
Friday, March 22 Home Sweet Home
11 a.m. — Trailhead next to Visitor Center; 45 minutes
Meet a park interpreter for a hike through our neighbors’ homes. Learn of all the different animals and their habitats as we hike along our newest trail at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area.
Legends of the Scaly
1 p.m. — Visitor Center; 45 minutes
Meet a park interpreter as we share some of the legends passed down about our reptile residents! Have a chance to meet the stars of these stories up close!
Afternoon Stroll
3 p.m. — Trailhead next to Visitor Center; 1 hour
The forest is a flurry of activity in the afternoon. Join a park interpreter as we stroll through the forest looking for signs of life as the sun goes down.
Saturday, March 23 Dutch Oven Workshop
9 a.m. — Visitor Center After this four hour workshop people will be asking you how to cook in a Dutch Oven. We will learn the basics of food prep and cooking in our state cooking vessel. After we cook and enjoy our three-course meal all the secrets of this great pastime will be revealed to you.
Cost: $40 includes workshop, lunch and The Dutch Oven 101 Cookbook; or $105 includes workshop, lunch, a Lodge 6 qt. Dutch Oven and The Dutch Oven 101 Cookbook. Workshop limited to first 15. Registration and pre-payment required.
Call 789-5000 for information and to register.
Birds and Breakfast
9 a.m. — Visitor Center; 3 hours
Come enjoy a cup of coffee or juice and have breakfast with the birds. Join the University of Arkansas as they catch, band, measure and record data on these birds, and then release them back into the wild. Learn about how this research has taught us many things we now know about birds and see it in action. Breakfast sponsored by Wild Birds Unlimited.
Shaddox Hollow Guided Hike
11 a.m. — Trailhead on Hwy. 303; 1.5 hours
Meet your guide to experience one of Hobbs State Park’s most diverse trails. See the wonders of nature as we hike the round trip. Dress for the weather and bring drinking water.
Slithering Snakes
1 p.m. — Visitor Center; 45 minutes
Meet some of the snake residents in the visitor center. Also have the opportunity to learn the proper first aid for a venomous snakebite.