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.

When boring is not boring

Billy Nations

All the shotguns you see here evolved from the less reliable and less effective guns of an earlier period to the reliably accurate and artistic designs of modern firearms. All it took was a little-known gunsmith with some knowledge and patience to change the shotgun forever. You can see several shotguns at the B.W. Weapons Museum at Historic Washington State Park in...

North Wall of the B.W. Weapons Museum at Historic Washington State Park with shotguns

Visiting the Crater during the Spring

Tayler Markham

It’s hard to believe that spring break is just around the corner, after the icy weather the park has received in recent weeks. Looking forward to warmer weather, families from all over the country are planning spring break trips in the coming days, and several will choose to spend time at the world-famous Crater of Diamonds State Park. For those who plan to visit the park...

The Ozark Diamond Mine at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

You Couldn’t Make This Story Up!

Billy Nations

Black History Month is upon us, we think it appropriate to remind our would-be visitors to Historic Washington State Park of the program opportunities that lay in store for them as related to the African-American component of the Washington story.

Distant view of courthouse at Historic Washington State Park

Waterfalls of Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas State Parks Staff

Hiking to waterfalls is a great way to get out into nature and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. It can be a calming and peaceful experience, or an adrenaline-filled adventure depending on how you approach it. You can get some great exercise and fresh air, and you may even spot some wildlife along the way. The sound of a rushing waterfall is also incredibly soothing, and...

Children playing at the Lake Catherine waterfall on the Falls Branch Trail

A year of celebration and diamond discoveries