Crater of Diamonds State Park

Take a First Day Hike at the Crater of Diamonds State Park

By:  Waymon Cox
Updated: 

Greetings from the Crater of Diamonds! This New Year’s Day, make a resolution for a healthier 2019 with a morning guided hike around the park’s Little Missouri River Trail, as part of the nationwide First Day Hikes initiative.

 

Hikers of all ages and activity levels are invited to meet by 9 a.m. at the Little Missouri River Trailhead, located across from site 22 in the park campground. Limited parking is available at the trailhead and nearby bathhouse. Please note that all park facilities, including the diamond search area, will be closed on January 1 for New Year’s Day. Wear sturdy walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring drinking water. If you miss the guided hike, you can still enjoy a peaceful walk along the Little Missouri River Trail at any time during daylight hours!

 

The Little Missouri River Trail offers an easy, one-hour walk featuring a view of the Little Missouri River. Educational panels along the way highlight native plants and animals, and two exercise stations offer a variety of physical fitness challenges. Half of the 1.2-mile loop is paved and is the longest wheelchair-accessible trail in this part of the state. The unpaved portion of the trail is also easily walked.

 

First Day Hikes originated more than 25 years ago at a state park in Milton, Massachusetts. On New Year’s Day 2018, nearly 55,000 people participated in First Day Hikes, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles throughout the country. For more information or directions, call Crater of Diamonds State Park at 870-285-3113, or CraterofDiamondsStatePark.com. 

 

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