thSpring has sprung!
Get outdoors with the park interpreters for an educational program or guided hike.
Pack a lunch and make a day of it, allowing time to explore the interactive exhibits of the visitor center, take a short trail walk, or just be with nature along the river bank.
Friday, April 3
Bee Baths
1p.m. @ Visitor Center
Did you know our buzzy pollinators need baths too? Join a park interpreter to explore the life of a bee and create your very own bee bath to take home! All supplies provided.
Saturday, April 4
Mammals
of Cossatot River
9-11a.m. @ Sandbar Campground
Are you ready to discover the wild side of Cossatot River State Park? Stop by Sandbar Campground to investigate the diverse wildlife of the area with a park interpreter! This is a come and go station.
Saturday, April 4
Water Sleuths
2p.m. @ Cossatot Falls
Is the Cossatot River a healthy river? Learn how to examine the plants and animals in the river as indicators for water quality. Dive into basic chemistry and chemical water quality
sampling with a park interpreter.
Sunday, April 5
Amphibian Crawl
10a.m. @ Cossatot Falls
Frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts are all types of amphibians we have at Cossatot River State Park! Join a park interpreter to find and identify as many as possible on a section of the River Corridor Trail. This is a 3-mile round trip hike rated easy to moderate.
Every Sunday
Critter Feeding
3p.m. @ Visitor Center
Stop by the visitor center to join a park interpreter in feeding our resident critters–
snakes, frogs, turtles, and more!
Friday, April 10
A.M. Power Hike
8:30a.m. @ Harris Creek Trailhead
Work up a sweat with a park interpreter on the Harris Creek Trail! All hikers are welcome but this will be at a swift pace. Bring plenty of water and a snack. This trail is moderately difficult, so please wear sturdy, closed toe shoes and weather appropriate clothing. This is a 3.5-mile loop hike rated moderate to strenuous.
Saturday, April 11
Wildflower ID Hike
11a.m. @ Cossatot Falls
What’s blooming out on the trails? Join a park interpreter on a section of the River Corridor Trail to look for and identify wildflowers. We’ll be hiking a mile southbound from Cossatot Falls, rated moderate, about 2-miles round trip.
Saturday, April 11
Tree ID Hike
3p.m. @ Harris Creek Trailhead
Black oak, waterleaf oak, American sycamore, and sweetgum are all common trees in the Cossatot River Corridor. Tree leaves, bark, and buds are all useful hints to tell us what kind of tree we are looking at. Join a park interpreter at Harris Creek Trailhead and you learn how to identify different tree species, no matter the time of year. This is about a 2-mile hike
rated moderate.
Sunday, April 12
Taking Flight:
Why Birds Migrate
1p.m. @ Visitor Center Playground
Join a park interpreter as we explore the journey of migrating birds and the many hazards that they face, wrapping up with a fun game!
Friday, April 17
Owl Prowl
8p.m. @ Cossatot Falls
“WOO” is out in the woods? Join a park interpreter near the Cossatot Falls campground to discuss these hunters of the night and call to owls to see if they respond. This walk is 1-mile round trip.
Sunday, April 19
Track ID Station
10a.m. @ Harris Creek Trailhead
Cossatot is home to many species of birds and mammals, but how do we know who has passed through? Stop by to learn about the differences in animal footprints, and how to become a track detective.
Friday, April 24
Night Eyes
8p.m. @ Cossatot Falls
Have you ever shone a flashlight into the woods and seen a pair of eyes staring back at you? It might be creepy, but there is a reason for the reflection! Join a park interpreter on a late night stroll around the Cossatot Falls to discover how our furry friends get around in the dark.
Saturday, April 25
River Safari
10a.m. @ Sandbar Bridge
Explore the underwater world of the Cossatot River with a park interpreter! Snorkel in search of macroinvertebrates and learn how to assess water health based on our finds. All supplies provided. Dress water ready!
Saturday, April 25
Survival Skills
3p.m. @ Cossatot Falls
Do you know the rule of 3? Join a park interpreter and learn basic fire-starting skills, orienteering, and more!
Sunday, April 26
Micro Hike
10a.m. @ Waterleaf Trailhead
Have you ever imagined the world from the perspective of a bug? Join a park interpreter as we slow down and observe the smaller elements in the landscape– you never know what you might find! This is a 0.5-mile round trip hike rated easy to moderate.
For more information about these programs, call Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area: (870) 385-2201. Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area, 1980 Hwy 278 W, Wickes, AR 71973.
