Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

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.

Arkansas State Parks Adjusts Operations to Respond to Statewide COVID-19 Increase

Dec 2020

Visitor information centers, museums, restaurants and two marinas at Arkansas State Parks will see a reduction of operating hours to efficiently manage available resources during the recent statewide increase in COVID-19 cases.

Photo Essay: Churn Your Own Butter

Nov 2020

Davidsonville Historic State Park in northeast Arkansas preserves Arkansas’s first platted (planned) town and the stories of the people who lived here. The people of Davidsonville churned butter as a necessary chore to keep their households running smoothly, but today is a fun activity to connect us to the past. In this photo essay, we will explore the very important task...

A loaf of bread on a table with a container of butter and a piece of bread off to the side with butter on it

Rivers as Transportation

Jul 2020

Davidsonville Historic State Park was established in 1957 to preserve the first platted (planned) town in Arkansas: Davidsonville. Established in 1815 along the Black River in northeast Arkansas Territory, the town was the site of many of Arkansas’s firsts. Davidsonville held the first county seat for Lawrence County, Arkansas’s first post office, first courthouse, and...

Relax, Recharge and Recreate During Spring Break

Feb 2020

Arkansas State Parks have many ways to relax, recharge and recreate fun and affordable. Take the time this spring break to visit a park and enjoy the physical and mental benefits.

Celebrate Your Valentine at an Arkansas State Park

Feb 2020

Whether you’re looking for love or celebrating years of romance, Arkansas State Parks has something for everyone this Valentine’s Day. Since it lands on a Friday this year, it will be a wonderful time to get out with the one you love (or at least like!) and join in on the fun happening at several parks across the state.

Heart outlining Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park

Opt Outside for Green Friday

Nov 2019

Green Friday is an antidote to Black Friday where programs will be offered at many Arkansas State Parks on the day after Thanksgiving each year.

Josh Jeffers Named Superintendent of Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Oct 2017

Josh Jeffers has Arkansas State Parks in the fiber of his being. The new Pinnacle Mountain State Park superintendent says having a passion for this kind of work comes naturally to him.

Josh Jeffers, Pinnacle Mountain State Park Superintendent

Birding in Arkansas State Parks

Sep 2017