Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

There is nothing better than memories made while spending quality time with family. For Will and Marshall Barnett, of Buckeye, AZ, a recent father-and-son trip to Arkansas’ famous Crater of Diamonds State Park resulted in the story of a lifetime and the second-largest diamond registered so far this year.

Arizona man finds two-carat diamond at Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park

Visitor finds 4.87-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park

Dec 2023

Jerry Evans, of Lepanto, visited Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro this spring, but only recently learned that he had discovered a 4.87-carat diamond.

Visitor finds 4.87-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park

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.

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

How do you measure up to the bald eagle?

Dec 2022

Sasha Bowles

Bald eagles, the majestic symbol of our nation, were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Since then, they have been seen more frequently throughout their range, which includes Lake Dardanelle 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

Visitor finds 35,000th diamond at Crater of Diamonds since 1972

Sep 2022

White gem marks latest significant milestone in state park’s 50-year history

Visitors sift for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Crater of Diamonds to celebrate 35,000th diamond found at park since 1972

Aug 2022

Crater of Diamonds State Park will celebrate an important moment in its history in the coming weeks, as staff prepare to recognize the 35,000th diamond found and registered there since the state park opened in 1972. “It’s amazing to work at a place with so much history,” Park Superintendent Caleb Howell said. “Every diamond found here has a story to go along with it, but...

Man and boy wet sift for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park

The Natural Beauty of the Upper Delta

Jul 2022