Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! Since the discovery of diamonds in Arkansas in 1906, prospectors have sought efficient new ways to search for this precious stone. Many of the early mine engineers who worked in the Arkansas mines had experience working in the African mines and would implement practices and equipment used in the African mines.

Search Area Project Completed at Crater of Diamonds

Sep 2023

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! Whether it’s the park bulldozer plowing fresh dirt or an excavator overturning several feet of soil, it is always exciting to see heavy machinery at work in the park’s diamond search area.

Search Area Project Completed at Crater of Diamonds

Have S'more Fun at Arkansas State Parks

Aug 2023

Mark your calendars and get ready for a mouthwatering celebration! National S'mores Day is just around the corner, and there's no better place to revel in this delightful occasion than Arkansas State Parks. With a mission to enhance the quality of life through exceptional outdoor experiences, Arkansas State Parks invites you to indulge in the classic combination of gooey...

A group of people sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows at dusk with a cabin in the background.

Geocaching at Crater of Diamonds State Park

Mar 2023

Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt that people around the world participate in. It is a great way to get out on a trail and explore a new area you wouldn’t normally explore. Crater of Diamonds has several caches hidden within the park boundaries for you to find!

The Natural State’s Archeological State Parks

Mar 2023

Arkansas state parks are home to American Indian mounds, steamboat welcoming towns, and Civilian Conservation Corps campgrounds. All of them offer a unique perspective into the history of The Natural State and make for thought-provoking road trips. Crank up your tunes, put on your sunglasses, and wind your way through roads lined with oak trees growing alongside Arkansas’s...

Clay face pot at Parkin Archeological State Park exhibit

Waterfalls of Arkansas State Parks

Feb 2023

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

Feb 2023

Last year was a special one for the Crater. Not only did the park celebrate its 50th anniversary, but more diamonds were registered in 2022 than the previous two years combined! Following is a recap of diamond finds and other significant events during 2022.

A Good Time for a Diamond Find

Dec 2022

22,813 people entered the diamond search area in October 2021, superseding the 15,443 people we saw in October of this year. But how does that compare with diamond finds? Does higher visitation mean that more diamonds were found? Read this article to find out!

Searching for a diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Exploring Central & North Central Arkansas

Oct 2022

If you’re reading this, we bet you’re an outdoors lover. Someone who’s craving a little adventure. We’re right, aren’t we? Come play with us in Central and North Central Arkansas. Here, we’ve got water sports, mountain biking, hiking trails and historic sites to boot. Follow this guide to find your next big adventure.

40-acre Lake Bennett surrounded by trees and greenery with a covered dock at Woolly Hollow State Park

The Natural Beauty of the Upper Delta

Jul 2022