Lots to do at Lake Catherine in March

Saturday, March 10

8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. BIRDING BASICS

Arkansas is home to many birds and a corridor for lots of migratory birds. Learn the basics in birding and help us look for some of our feathered friends today. Bring binoculars if you have them; if not we’ll have some for you to use. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or come by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. WE ALL NEED TREES

Examine various products and determine which ones are made from trees. You may be surprised what part of a tree may be used. Learn ways that trees are used to make products and ways that these products can be conserved. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. NIGHT SOUNDS

Join a park interpreter for this wonderfully illustrated program about the sounds you hear at night. Is it a frog or a cricket? What are the sounds of spring, are they different from what we hear in the fall? Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Sunday, March 11

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or come by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. CATCH THE SUN

Meet a park interpreter to create a lizard sun catcher. This activity provides a fun way for families to create special state park memories. Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

Wednesday, March 14

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. MAKE YOUR OWN BUG

Have you seen many bugs during your visit to Lake Catherine State Park? Meet Park Interpreter Megan and learn how to make your own “cute as a bug” bug to take home with you. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or come by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

Thursday, March 15

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. LITTER WE KNOW

Litter can be very harmful to wildlife that encounters it. Discarded fishing line can wrap the legs, wings, or beaks of waterfowl such as geese and herons. When the fishing line wraps around its beak, a bird cannot feed itself. Recycling can help solve this problem. Join a park interpreter today and use recycled items to create an artful masterpiece! Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or come by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

Friday, March 16

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. SKINS-N-SKULLS

What mammals would you expect to inhabit Lake Catherine State Park? Join a park interpreter today to discover their fascinating adaptations. Children and adults alike are invited to explore the world of mammals through hands-on exploration. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. SPIDERS OF ARKANSAS

Join the park interpreter for this beautifully illustrated program about spiders. Discover answers to questions such as do all spiders have venom, why do they weave a web and how do they do that? Is a spider’s blood really blue? See beautiful pictures of spiders and hear their stories. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Saturday, March 17

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the morning breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or stop by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. DUTCH OVEN OUTDOOR COOKING WORKSHOP: THE BASICS

Food always tastes better cooked outside, and cooking over coals in cast-iron Dutch ovens is a longstanding State Park tradition. Join us for this hands-on Dutch oven demonstration. You will receive a fully cooked meal, a recipe and cooking manual, and a Dutch oven for you to take home. Contact the park to register. Space is limited. Meeting place: Fire Ring Near Trailhead

Admission: $30

4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. ARKANSAS FURBEARERS

You are invited to explore the world of mammals through hands-on exploration. Meet a park interpreter to get your chance to feel the soft fur of several of Arkansas’s furbearers. Meeting place: Ampitheater

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. OWLS OF LAKE CATHERINE

Join the park interpreter to learn a little about these wise old birds! We'll show you which owl is big and brave enough to eat a skunk and how they glide through the air silently to capture prey. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Sunday, March 18

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the morning breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or stop by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. BEGINNING BIRD WATCHING HIKE

Few past times are as enjoyable as bird watching. Join us to learn how to identify birds, use binoculars and much more. Everyone receives a Field Guide to Arkansas Birds and an Arkansas bird check list booklet. We have a few binoculars available for use, but bring your own if you have them. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. EAT LIKE A BIRD

What do tongs, tweezers, pliers and a staple remover have in common? Meet a park interpreter to discover the answer. Learn how bird beaks are adapted to different types of food. After the activity, you can become part of the elite “I Ate A Bug Club." Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. PHANTOMS OF THE FOREST

Are there elk in Arkansas? You bet! Reintroduced to Arkansas in the 1980s, elk now make their home on several sites near the Buffalo River. Learn more about these fascinating creatures during a captivating slide show presentation. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Monday, March 19

10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. HOUND HIKE

Looking for something fun to do with your dog? Explore Lake Catherine State Park with your canine. You’ll gain exercise for yourself and socialization for your pup. Please bring a leash and a bag for cleaning up after your hound. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the morning breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or stop by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY

Water generates life at Lake Catherine State Park. Pretend to be a water molecule as you move through the water cycle for a fun table game. Join a park interpreter at the nature cabin for this interactive activity. Stick around after the program to make a craft you can take home. Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. SNAKES OF ARKANSAS

Snakes are among the least understood, yet most intriguing animals in the Arkansas. Meet a park interpreter to discover fascinating facts and learn how to identify the venomous and non-venomous snakes. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Tuesday, March 20

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. OWL'S LAST SUPPER

We’ll search for clues and piece together the bones of an owl’s prey as we dissect owl pellets. Don’t know what an owl pellet is? Meet a park interpreter to begin your investigation of this hands-on, sanitary activity. Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 7 p.m. ARKANSAS BLACK BEARS

Did you know that Arkansas used be called the "Bear State?" Join a park interpreter for a fascinating program on the history and present habitat of bears in Arkansas. The informative program is full of interesting pictures and insights into a bear’s life. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Wednesday, March 21

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. GUIDED WATERFALL HIKE

Join the park interpreter for a 1-mile hike on the Fall Branch Trail. Search for what’s blooming and what’s happening in the forest now that spring is almost here. Bring your water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine with a park interpreter as your nature and history guide. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. To register, call 501-844-4176 or come by the Lake Catherine State Park Visitor Center. Seats are limited! Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. TREE TALK

Have you asked a tree a question? Probably not, but they speak to us loud and clear if we listen closely. Learn a little about the trees of the Ouachita Mountains as they tell us about the history of the area. Meet the park interpreter to go on this incredible journey into the life of our trees. Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

Thursday, March 22

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. MAKE YOUR OWN BUG

Hav you seen many insects during your park visit? What colors or shapes do you like? How do their colors and shapes help them survive? Meet the park interpreter and learn how to make your own “cute as a bug” bug to take home with you as a fun reminder of your park visit. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the morning breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or stop by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. FOREST WORLD TOUR

Learn a little about the forests around the world and why they are important to you here in Arkansas. Join the park interpreter for an interactive program to learn how your daily routine is affected by forests! Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

Friday, March 23

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine with a park interpreter as your nature and history guide. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. To register, call 501-844-4176 or come by the Lake Catherine State Park Visitor Center. Seats are limited! Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. LAKE CATHERINE STATE PARK HISTORY HIKE: HOW DID LAKE CATHERINE GET ITS NAME?

Every stone and log has a story to tell if you listen. Join the park interpreter behind the visitor center to learn more about the Civilian Conservation Corps and how they helped create Lake Catherine State Park. Meeting place: Patio behind Visitor Center

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. MARSHMALLOW ROAST AND CAMPFIRE STORIES

Join the park interpreter to roast marshmallows around the campfire and share your favorite camping memories of Arkansas State Parks. This is always good fellowship. Meeting place: Fire Ring near Tailhead

Admission: Free

Saturday, March 24

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine with a park interpreter as your nature and history guide. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. To register, call 501-844-4176 or come by the Lake Catherine State Park Visitor Center. Seats are limited! Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. KAYAK COVE ADVENTURE

Want to see Lake Catherine in a whole new way? Join a park interpreter for a kayaking adventure. Our stable, flat-water kayaks are easy to navigate and incredibly relaxing! No experience is necessary, but you should be comfortable around water. Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets are provided. Spaces are limited. Pre-register and pre-pay at the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: $15

3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. WILDFLOWER BINGO

Lake Catherine State Park is home to many wildflowers. Meet the park interpreter to play this fun game and learn all the beautiful flowers that grow here. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. OWL PROWL/NIGHT HIKE

Join a park interpreter to search for the amazing night time raptor, the owl as we hike approximately ½-mile. If you’ve never been on a night hike, this is a ‘must do’ for you. Join us for a very exciting program. Bring a flashlight and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

Sunday, March 25

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the morning breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited; to register, call (501) 844-4176 or stop by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. BEAR HABITAT

Meet a park interpreter to play a delightful interactive game that gives children and adults an idea of what it’s like to live in a bear’s world. There is some slight running involved. Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. WILDFLOWER WALK

Join the park interpreter for a hike on the Falls Branch Trail. Search for what’s blooming and what’s happening in the forest now that spring is here. The hike is approximately 1-mile in length. Bring your water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. GHOSTS OF THE FOREST: DO MOUNTAIN LIONS EXIST IN ARKANSAS

Join a park interpreter to learn about the mysterious mountain lion. Explore whether or not this magnificent animal inhabits the state of Arkansas. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Monday, March 26

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. CCC HISTORY WALK

The men of the Civilian Conservation Corps helped build the park you enjoy today. Join a park interpreter and learn the fascinating history of Lake Catherine State Park! Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. ARKANSAS BINGO

Would you like to learn more about the "Natural State?" Join the park interpreter in a round of BINGO that is all about Arkansas! Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. TRACKS-N-PRINTS

What animal track is that? Meet the park interpreter to learn what kind of tracks you may see in the park and even have the chance to take a track home with you! Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

Tuesday, March 27

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. HOUND HIKE

Looking for something fun to do with your dog? Join Park Interpreter Megan and explore Lake Catherine State Park with your canine. You’ll gain exercise for yourself and socialization for your pup. Please bring a leash and a bag for cleaning up after your hound. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. FASHION A FISH

Join Park Interpreter Megan to create your own fish. Learn how special adaptations determine where the fish live and what they can eat! Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. BIRDS AND WORMS

Camouflage is an important survival strategy in the animal kingdom. Blending in with the environment is a great way to avoid being eaten, but it's not an adaptation limited to prey animals. Many predators are also camouflaged to avoid being spotted by a potential meal. In this interactive activity, you have the chance to become a bird in search of colored worms and bugs! Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Wednesday, March 28

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. SCAVENGER HUNT

The park interpreter has a list and asks you to find the various “natural and unnatural” items on it. Meet at the nature cabin to get your list. The person with the most items at the end of 15 minutes receives a prize. Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. INCREDIBLE CASTER

See how an aluminum can or plastic bottle can be recycled into a tool that can catch fish. Bring a used plastic bottle or aluminum can with you for this fun activity. Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. MEET ELVIS!

Join the park interpreter to and meet our celebrity snake. Learn about king snakes (and others) and how they are beneficial to our ecosystem. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Thursday, March 29

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. SPRINGTIME BIRD HIKE

Learn how to identify birds, use binoculars, and much more. Everyone receives a "Field Guide to Arkansas Birds." We have a few binoculars available for use, but bring your own if you have them. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seats are limited! To register, call (501) 844-4176 or stop by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. PREDATOR VS. PREY

This fun game allows children to explore the wonderful diversity of nature and gain a better understanding of the food chain. Some running is involved. Meeting place: Trailhead

Admission: Free

Friday, March 30

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. MEET A TREE

Trees are everywhere! What trees have you seen during your visit to Lake Catherine State Park? How many different items do you think are made from parts of a tree? Discover how we use trees in our everyday lives today with a park interpreter. Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine. Sit back and enjoy the morning breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. Seating is limited. To register, call (501) 844-4176 or stop by the visitor center. Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. ARKANSAS BINGO

Do you want to learn more about the "Natural State?" Join the park interpreter in a round of BINGO that is all about Arkansas! Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free

Saturday, March 31

10 a.m. - 11 a.m. LAKE TOUR

Sign up in advance for a relaxing cruise on Lake Catherine with a park interpreter as your nature and history guide. Sit back and enjoy the afternoon breezes as we explore this fascinating area of the Ouachita Mountains. To register, call 501-844-4176 or come by the Lake Catherine State Park Visitor Center. Seats are limited! Meeting place: Marina

Admission: Free

3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. SNAKE SKIN BOOKMARKS

Have you ever wondered what a snake skin feels like? Join Park Interpreter Megan to make a unique bookmark that you can use in your favorite book! Meeting place: Nature Cabin

Admission: Free

6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. BATS ARE BEAUTIFUL TOO!

This program illustrates the critical environmental roles these gentle creatures play. Learn their worldwide significance, importance in Arkansas, echolocation, hibernation, flight, feeding, myths, and species identification. Meeting place: Amphitheater

Admission: Free