Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

Zoie Clift

The unique landform of Crowley’s Ridge is one of six natural divisions in the state. A way to experience this interesting landscape is via a trip to an Arkansas State Park.

The terrain at Village Creek State Park.

A Plant for Pollinators: Discovering the Rio Grande Clammyweed

Chris Adams

Historic Washington State Park recently received a generous donation of various native flowering plants, which have been planted throughout the park's gardens. Among these is the Rio Grande Clammyweed (Polanisia dodecandra (L.) DC. ssp. riograndensis Iltis). This perennial plant is native to the southern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. It...

A Plant for Pollinators: Discovering the Rio Grande Clammyweed

Determining Diamond Color

Emma O'Neal

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! Visitors often ask us, “What happens if I find a diamond?” The answer is, we identify and register it for you, and you get to keep it! When a visitor finds a diamond, they usually bring it to the park’s Diamond Discovery Center to have it identified. After it is confirmed as a Crater diamond, park staff record basic information...

Guest from New York Discovers 2.3 Carat Diamond at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park

Waymon Cox

Weeks of dedication and hard work recently paid off for 31-year-old Micherre Fox, of Manhattan, NY, when she found a 2.30-carat white diamond at Arkansas’ world-famous Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Guest from New York Discovers 2.3 Carat Diamond at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park

Fall Getaways

Arkansas State Parks Staff

Hop on a scenic road, kick up some golden leaves and make your way to a fresh-out-of-your-favorite-fall-movie getaway. Arkansas State Parks has something for everyone — are you more of a cabin or lodge person? — so book your stay now because fall is in season.

Hidden Wonders Scavenger Hunt

All around us are many “hidden wonders”—small animals, plants, and fungi—that may not be as engaging as deer or turkeys, but they are just as important to the ecosystem. You can download and print the Scavenger Hunt below. By carefully looking for the items on this list while you explore Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, you can discover these hidden wonders and learn...

Photo Essay: Alligator Antics

Ivory Detter

Alligators can be observed during the warm months of the year at Millwood State Park in the southwestern region of Arkansas, and they are an important part of the aquatic habitat here. Follow along as we go on a virtual alligator spotting adventure! All of the alligators in the following pictures have made Millwood State Park their home.

The Delta as the 1815 Surveyors Experienced: Louisiana Purchase State Park

Ryan Smith

Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park, a small lesser-known park in the eastern part of Arkansas near Brinkley, protects the initial survey point for all lands acquired in the United States’ Louisiana Purchase. The park also provides you access to see a granite monument marking the location on an elevated boardwalk in a headwater swamp. This special site is not only a...

Granite monument in swamp with water at its base. Trees growing in background as far as viewer can see.

Two Visitors Find Large Diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park

Waymon Cox

Confirmation of two large diamonds found at Crater of Diamonds State Park made for a busy week last week at the park, one of the only places in the world where the public can search for diamonds in their original volcanic source.

Serendipity diamond next to quarter for scale

Photo Essay: Branches in Time