Participants are encouraged to wear masks unless fully vaccinated and maintain social distance between households, respecting the safety and concerns of those around you. The programs are free and will meet at the Visitor Center unless otherwise noted. Call the park office at 479.789.5000 or visit the Friends of Hobbs Facebook page or web site to check on the latest status of programs.
Sunday, January 1st, Visitor Center is CLOSED for the holiday, but First Day Hikes will be held.
Sunday, January 1st, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
First Day Hike: Bashore Trail: Start the New Year off right with a hike at Hobbs! Join Park Interpreter Trish on this easy 4-mile hike as we discover the secrets of winter survival along the Bashore Trail. Meet at the Piney Road Trailhead, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Participants will receive a First Day Hike sticker! #FirstDayHikes #ArStateParks
Sunday, January 1st, 11:00 a.m.-11:45 p.m.
First Day Hike: Ozark Plateau Trail: Start the New Year off right with a hike at Hobbs! Join Park Interpreter Steve to learn more about the Ozarks and the history of this park during this easy .25-mile hike on the ADA accessible Ozark Plateau Trail. Meet at the Education Pavilion. Participants will receive a First Day Hike sticker! #FirstDayHikes #ArStateParks
Sunday, January 1st, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
First Day Hike: Shaddox Hollow Trail: Start the New Year off right with a hike at Hobbs! Join Park Interpreter Chris on this 1.5-mile, moderately difficult loop through the hills of Shaddox Hollow as we learn about the geology of the park and the history of the Shaddox family that settled here. Meet at Shaddox Hollow Trailhead, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Participants will receive a First Day Hike sticker! #FirstDayHikes #ArStateParks
Sunday, January 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, or 29th, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Eagle Watch Tour: Join an interpreter on our pontoon boat as we cruise beautiful Beaver Lake to view and learn about our national symbol, the bald eagle, and other wildlife. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3:00 p.m. and are limited to 18 participants. Multiple dates are available during eagle watch season, November - February. Cost: $15 adults, $7.50 children (age 6-12). Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Monday, January 2nd or 16th, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Eagle Watch Tour: Join an interpreter on our pontoon boat as we cruise beautiful Beaver Lake to view and learn about our national symbol, the bald eagle, and other wildlife. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3:00 p.m. and are limited to 18 participants. Multiple dates are available during eagle watch season, November - February. Cost: $15 adults, $7.50 children (age 6-12). Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Tuesday, January 3rd, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Eagle Watch Tour: Join an interpreter on our pontoon boat as we cruise beautiful Beaver Lake to view and learn about our national symbol, the bald eagle, and other wildlife. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3:00 p.m. and are limited to 18 participants. Multiple dates are available during eagle watch season, November - February. Cost: $15 adults, $7.50 children (age 6-12). Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Thursday, January 5th, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Living Healthy in Nature: This collaboration between the Schmieding Center for Senior Health and Education and Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area occurs on the first Thursday of every month at 10:00am. Meet at the Hobbs Visitor Center to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature. Come prepared to participate in easy outdoor activities, such as hiking, birding, meditation, and other guided classes. Optional: Bring your own lunch and we'll have time for socialization after the program. For more information, call 479-789-5000 or 479-751-3043.
Saturday, January 7th, 21st, or 28th, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Eagle Watch Tour: Join an interpreter on our pontoon boat as we cruise beautiful Beaver Lake to view and learn about our national symbol, the bald eagle, and other wildlife. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3:00 p.m. and are limited to 18 participants. Multiple dates are available during eagle watch season, November - February. Cost: $15 adults, $7.50 children (age 6-12). Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Saturday, January 7th, 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Leave No Trace: The 7 Principles: The choices you make when you are outside make a big difference. This is a great program for all ages, but especially for young girls and boys who are just beginning to experience camping, hiking, and the outdoors in general.
Saturday, January 7th, 1:00-1:45 p.m.
Winter Bird ID & Bird Feeding: It’s National Bird Day! Winter brings us some special feathered guests from up North. Learn to identify these visitors, as well as some of our year-round residents, with Park Interpreter Chris. We’ll also discuss how to set up a feeding station and keep them happy and healthy!
Saturday, January 7th, 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Puffballs in the Sky: Is a cloud just a cloud? No sir! Clouds can tell us things. Clouds can do things. Do you know what thunder really is? Why do tornadoes form in clouds? Join Park Interpreter Steve to learn about our amazing clouds…puffballs in the sky.
Saturday, January 7th, 2:00-2:30 p.m.
The 8 “Ates”: Winter Survival Strategies for Wildlife: How does wildlife survive the winter months? Hibernate is just one of the “ates”! Park Interpreter Chris will share with you all 8 “ates” or strategies used for survival.
Saturday, January 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Eagle Watch Tour: Join an interpreter on our pontoon boat as we cruise beautiful Beaver Lake to view and learn about our national symbol, the bald eagle, and other wildlife. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3:00 p.m. and are limited to 18 participants. Multiple dates are available during eagle watch season, November - February. Cost: $15 adults, $7.50 children (age 6-12). Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Sunday, January 8th, 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Ozark Plateau Trail Hike: Do you know the destination of a trail? What about the purpose of “anting”? Join Park Interpreter Steve to learn more about YOUR park during this easy .25-mile hike on the ADA accessible Ozark Plateau Trail. Meet at the Education Pavilion.
Sunday, January 8th, 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Venomous Snakes of Arkansas: Everyone who lives in or visits Arkansas should be aware of what venomous snakes we have and what they look like. This short program led by Park Interpreter Steve identifies the six venomous snakes that we have in Arkansas, four of which are found in northwest Arkansas.
Saturday, January 14th, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Eagle Watch Tour with a Photography Emphasis: Join wildlife photographer Tim Johnson on our pontoon boat as we cruise beautiful Beaver Lake to photograph bald eagles and other wildlife. We will learn about the photography equipment needed, the settings on your camera to get sharp photos of birds in flight, and other locations to photograph eagles in NW Arkansas. Participants should bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera with auto focusing capabilities and at least a 70-200 mm lens. A 150-600 mm lens works the best from the boat given the distances. Photography lecture begins at 7:30 a.m. on the boat. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 8:00 a.m. and are limited to 12 participants. Cost: adults $15, children (min. age 10) $7.50. Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Saturday, January 14th, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Reading Rocker: Eagles: January is national eagle month. Gather around the “reading rocker” to learn about the Bald Eagle including those that live on Beaver Lake. The story will be followed by a scavenger hunt inside the Visitor Center, a fun activity to see how big an eagle’s nest really is and make an eagle mask to take home. Recommended for ages 4-6.
Saturday, January 14th, 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Survival Food: Join Park Interpreter Steve in a basic discussion on wild edible plants including what you need to know to survive if lost in the woods. Would you eat a bug to survive? During this program you’ll have a chance to sample some “larvets”! Discussion includes foraging for food and your need for clean water and how to get some.
Saturday, January 14th, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Geocaching: The World’s Largest Treasure Hunt: Ever heard of geocaching? This fun activity for ALL ages combines getting outside, GPS technology and clues to create a world-wide treasure hunt for prizes or “swag”. Learn how to geocache while avoiding “muggles”. Park Interpreter Trish, an experienced geocacher, will share tips, tricks and a few funny stories. A geocache has been hidden near the visitor center here at Hobbs State Park—will you find it? Charge your smart-phones and come join the fun! Recommended for ages 6+.
Saturday, January 14th, 2:00-2:15 p.m.
Tale of the Turtle: Join Park Interpreter Steve while you learn some interesting facts about these reptile friends. Why are there five toes on a three-toed box turtle? There is an easy way to tell the difference between a boy and a girl turtle. Do you know the secret?
Sunday, January 15th, 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Ozark Plateau Trail Hike: Do you know the destination of a trail? What about the purpose of “anting”? Join Park Interpreter Steve to learn more about YOUR park during this easy .25-mile hike on the ADA accessible Ozark Plateau Trail. Meet at the Education Pavilion.
Sunday, January 15th, 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Arkansas Symbols: Do you know the symbols of Arkansas? Some are easy, and others you probably have never heard of. Did you know we have a state soil and a state beverage? Join Park Interpreter Steve to learn some of the symbols of Arkansas.
Friday, January 20th, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Eagle Watch Tour: Join an interpreter on our pontoon boat as we cruise beautiful Beaver Lake to view and learn about our national symbol, the bald eagle, and other wildlife. Tours depart Rocky Branch Marina promptly at 3:00 p.m. and are limited to 18 participants. Multiple dates are available during eagle watch season, November - February. Cost: $15 adults, $7.50 children (age 6-12). Registration and pre-payment required. Call 479-789-5000 for more information and to register.
Saturday, January 21st, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Special Event: W.O.W.W.! (Wonders of Winter Wildlife): Cure your cabin fever with this special event. Event sponsors: Bluebird Shed, 3-D Pet Products, and Friends of Hobbs
9:00-11:00 a.m.: Birds and Breakfast: See live songbirds captured in the park by ornithologists and then help them release the birds after learning more about them. Breakfast snacks and hot beverages will be provided.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Bald Eagle Presentation by Mike Martin: January is Eagle Awareness Month and Mike Martin, a noted Arkansas wildlife photographer, will present a program on bald eagles using his photographs. He will share some interesting facts about our nation's symbol, an overview of their life cycle, their behavior, viewing locations in Arkansas, along with interesting stories of his encounters while photographing them.
12:00-3:00 p.m.: Tabletop Learning Stations and Crafts: Learn about winter wildlife and make a craft or two at these informal stations: eagle mask, pinecone bird feeder, and squirrel crafts, bald eagles, mammal skins and skulls, winter birds and bird-feeding, and The 8 “Ates”: Winter Survival Strategies information stations. Come and go as you please.
1:00-1:45pm: Squirrels: Nutty Forest Friends & Bushy-Tailed Benefits: It’s National Squirrel Appreciation Day! Did you know a group of squirrels is called a scurry? Can you spot a drey? Join Park Interpreter Trish, for an easy hike around the .25-mile, ADA accessible Ozark Plateau Trail and learn more about 3 of Arkansas’ squirrel species and how they are the unsung heroes of the forest.
Saturday, January 21st, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Astronomy Night with Sugar Creek Astronomical Society: We will begin with an indoor program in the Discovery Classroom discussing telescope basics and a tour of the winter sky. Weather permitting, the outdoor viewing will begin at 6:30 p.m. and we will view Jupiter and its moons, Mars, some winter constellations, the Orion Nebula, and Andromeda Galaxy. Items you may wish to bring include a flashlight covered with a red cloth or red balloon, binoculars and/or telescope, folding chair, and a star chart if you have one. Recommended for ages 8 and above.
Sunday, January 22nd, 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Ozark Plateau Trail Hike: Do you know the destination of a trail? What about the purpose of “anting”? Join Park Interpreter Steve to learn more about YOUR park during this easy .25-mile hike on the ADA accessible Ozark Plateau Trail. Meet at the Education Pavilion.
Sunday, January 22nd, 1:30-2:00 p.m.
The Lorax: Listen as Park Interpreter Steve reads The Lorax. Do you know what the Lorax was? He wasn’t just that “orange colored dude”. Who is the most important character? It’s not the Lorax.
Saturday, January 28th, 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Groundhog Fact and Fiction: What exactly is a groundhog, and can they predict the length of winter by seeing their shadow or not? Park Interpreter Steve will share the truth about the groundhog, woodchuck, or whistle pig, before their special day of fame, Groundhog Day!
Saturday, January 28th, 1:30-2:15 p.m.
The Ozark Chinquapin Tree: Learn from Park Interpreter Steve why this rare tree, once common in the Ozarks, is so important and what we are doing at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area to try and save it.
Sunday, January 29th, 11:00-11:30 a.m.
Galls: Is it a gall or isn’t it? What exactly is a gall? How are they formed? Join Park Interpreter Steve to learn the basics of galls.
Sunday, January 29th, 1:30-2:00 p.m.
Hobbs History: Sit back and relax with our park history guru, Park Interpreter Steve, to learn more about how and when this area became a state park, why we are designated as a Conservation Area, and other interesting history related to Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area.
