Been There Publications © 2015 / Christina Isaacs

Arkansas Post National Memorial preserves the history of Arkansas Post from it’s beginnings as a European trading post, then a military post, to a 19th-century town.

Junior Ranger Programs offered at this park:

  • The Arkansas Post National Memorial Junior Ranger Program
  • The Junior Scientist booklet and wooden badge with the words, “Junior Scientist Heartland Network Inventory & Monitoring National Park Service”
  • The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail passes through this park. Printed copies of the Trail of Tears Junior Ranger booklet are available at this park as well as online at: https://www.nps.gov/trte/learn/kidsyouth/junior-ranger.htm. Once completed, refer to this link for instructions on how to submit your completed Trail of Tears junior ranger booklet and obtain a wooden junior ranger badge with the words, “Junior Ranger Trail of Tears National Historic Trail”.

3 ways to access this park’s junior ranger booklet:

  1. The 3 booklets are available in person at the Visitor Center located at: 1741 Old Post Road, Gillett, AR 72055
  2. The Arkansas Post booklet is available to download and print from the park’s website or by clicking this link: https://www.nps.gov/arpo/learn/kidsyouth/upload/ARPO_Junior_Ranger_Book_508.pdf
  3. Or, you may request by phone or email (both listed below) to have the booklets mailed to you. Be sure to include a mailing address and specify how many you need.

How to complete this program:

There is one booklet geared toward children between the ages of 6-12, but all ages are welcome to participate. The requirements are the same for all ages.

To complete the book follow these 3 steps:

  1. Watch the park film and tour the visitor center.
  2. Take a self-guided tour of the historic town site or Nature Trail.
  3. Complete five activities in this Junior Ranger book.

The park acknowledges that not all of the activities contained in this booklet can be completed online; however, many can be completed by using the information contained on the pages of the park website.

Information to help you complete the activities can be found in a few ways:

  • Watch the 20-minute park feature film.
  • Take a self guided walking tour of the historic town site and nature trail.
  • Interpretive signs around the park.
  • Exhibits in the visitor center/museum.
  • Information on the park website and in the park brochure/Unigrid.
  • Talking to Park Rangers.

3 ways to turn in your completed junior ranger booklet:

  1. Completed booklets may be turned in, in person at the Visitor Center located at: 1741 Old Post Road, Gillett, AR 72055
  2. If you completed the Arkansas Post junior ranger booklet or the junior scientist junior ranger booklet remotely, or you didn’t complete the book while at the park, or you weren’t able to turn it in while the Visitor Center was open, you may submit them by email. Send an email to arpo_information@nps.gov with pictures of your completed book and a mailing address. The park will then send you a badge for each booklet completed.
  3. Or, If you are unable to complete the Junior Ranger program while visiting the park or you completed it remotely, you may mail it to the park at: 1741 Old Post Road, Gillett, AR 72055. The Park Ranger will look it over and mail it back to you along with a signed and dated certificate and badge. Don’t forget to include a mailing address.

Estimated time to complete:

While the booklet can be completed in about 30 – 60 minutes on average, Park Rangers recommend planning a couple of hours to explore everything the park has to offer.

junior scientist heartland network wooden junior ranger badge
Arkansas Post National Memorial wooden junior ranger badge

What you earn:

  • A wood Junior Ranger Badge with the words, “Junior Ranger, Arkansas Post National Memorial”.
  • A wood Junior Ranger Badge with the words, “Junior Scientist, Heartland Network Inventory & Monitoring National Park Service”
  • An official Junior Ranger Certificate on it’s own separate sheet, signed and dated by a Park Ranger.

Monetary costs:

It does not cost anything to participate in this junior ranger program. The booklets and badges are free of charge.

The park store sells a metal B.A.R.K. Ranger badge shaped dog tag with a paw print on it and the words, “Arkansas Post National Memorial Bark Ranger”.

important to know about this park:

  • A great way to start your park visit and learn about the site is by watching the 20 minute park film, “Arkansas Post: Echoes of the Past”. The movie is available upon request daily from 8:30 a.m. with the last movie to begin at 4:30 p.m.
  • There’s tons of great exhibits to explore in the museum reflecting over three hundred years of human history at Arkansas Post.
  • This site is fee-free year-round. No entrance fee or pass is required and parking is free. Bus and RV parking is available at the visitor center.
  • Guided tours may be available for groups, however, reservations are required.
  • Take a self-guided tour on three miles of trails through the town site and nature trails.
  • Fishing is allowed in all the waters in and around the park. An Arkansas fishing license is required for individuals 16 years of age and older. In June, there’s an annual fishing derby for kids.
  • Don’t have your own fishing pole? The visitor center offers a Tackle Loaner Program where you can borrow a rod and reel combo.
  • Check out the park’s special events calendar for historic weapons demonstration programs.
  • The park provides excellent opportunities for observing wildlife. Watch for deer, bald eagles, alligators, armadillos and more!

Park Details

REGIONSouthwest States
CITY, STATEGillett, Arkansas
GENERAL LOCATIONLocated in southeastern Arkansas on the Arkansas River. The entrance to the park is on Arkansas Hwy 169, seven miles south of Gillett.
PARK HOURSThe park grounds are open daily 7:00am to sunset.
VISITOR CENTER HOURSOpen Thursday through Monday 8:30am to 5pm. Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays, Juneteenth, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day.
PARK WEBSITEwww.nps.gov/arpo
PARK EMAILarpo_information@nps.gov
PARK PHONE #870-548-2207 Park Offices located in Visitor Center
PARK ADDRESS1741 Old Post Road
Gillett, AR 72055
PARK MAILING ADDRESS1741 Old Post Road
Gillett, AR 72055
PARK THEMEWestward Expansion

Other nearby Parks, Junior ranger Programs and attractions:

  • Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is 100 miles to the North West of the park and is the closest National Park Service site.
  • A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site, McClellan-Kerr Project, is 50 miles to the Northeast in Pine Bluff and has a junior ranger program and wood badge. To participate visit the USACE office at 4305 Charles Wooden Rd, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.
  • Visit the Arkansas Post Museum State Park also located in Gillett.
Arkansas Post National Memorial junior ranger sticker

Disclaimer

While we have made every effort to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information, Ranger Trek assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained herein is provided without guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. If you come across any errors or omissions, we welcome your feedback so that we can promptly update our information. Parks occasionally modify their junior ranger programs. For example, a park might revise its junior ranger booklet, introduce or discontinue an additional junior ranger program, or alter the badges or patches they award. Some parks may offer extra junior ranger programs and badges only during specific events rather than on a regular basis. Before relying solely on the information provided here, we encourage you to conduct your own due diligence. The primary source for the information in this article is the park itself. We recommend verifying any details with the park via their website, email, or phone.

Please note: All outdoor recreation activities carry inherent risks, and readers should assume personal responsibility for their safety.

Last updated: April 20, 2024

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  1. Pingback: Junior Ranger Programs in the Southwest – Ranger Trek

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