Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

Winter Forecast for the Crater of Diamonds

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! Colder temperatures will have many of us wishing for warmer weather in the months to come, but winter can be a great season to search for diamonds! Winter this year will begin on Tuesday, December 21, and continue until Sunday, March 20, 2022. What kind of winter will we have this year? Looking back at historical records and...

The Right Tools for Wet Sifting

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! Wet sifting is one of the most effective ways of searching for diamonds. It helps you go through more dirt in less time, and you can wet sift just about any time of year! The more dirt you wet sift, the better your chances are of finding a diamond. But having the right type and amount of tools is important! If you plan to wet...

Colorful Minerals Found at the Crater of Diamonds

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! Each fall, changing leaves enhance the colors and natural beauty of our surroundings. For visitors to Crater of Diamonds State Park, colorful minerals can also add bursts of excitement for anyone exploring the park! Mineral colors are caused by certain elements, chemicals, defects, and processes. Though some come in a wide...

Visitor Finds 4.38-Carat Diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park

Noreen Wredberg of Granite Bay, Calif., found the 4.38-carat yellow diamond sitting on top of the ground within an hour of searching. It’s the largest diamond found so far this year at Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Find Mesmerizing Mimetoliths at Crater of Diamonds

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! Have you ever looked at clouds and imagined dogs, elephants, or dragons? Have you noticed faces or creatures in the knots and holes of a tree trunk? If so, you have experienced pareidolia, the ability to see meaningful shapes or patterns in everyday objects. Most of us experience pareidolia at some level. Certain rocks and...

More Than Shade Trees at Crater of Diamonds

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! Most people who have visited the park recognize the search area as an open field with plowed rows about every five feet. Trees scattered throughout the field provide shade from the summer heat, but many of these also enhance the experiences of park visitors in other ways.

A Visitor’s Viewpoint of Diamond Searching

Greetings from Crater of Diamonds State Park! While our staff helps people prepare for diamond searching every day, a visitor’s advice can provide a fresh perspective. I recently spoke with James Armstead and his sister Willie Trice, of Kansas City, Mo., about their visit to Crater of Diamonds, their experiences here, and the guidance they would give other first-time park...

Basic Rock and Mineral Cleaning at Home

Video: What’s SUP on Lake Ouachita

Lake Ouachita State Park exists, in part, to provide access to Lake Ouachita – a haven for watersport enthusiasts. The sport of stand up paddleboarding has been steadily growing in popularity over the years. Stand up paddleboarding is an enjoyable form of exercise and a great way to explore any body of water, especially Lake Ouachita. Check out the video for an immersive...

Water Activities in Arkansas State Parks

Summer is here, and that means it’s time to get out on the water. While Arkansas might be a landlocked state, that doesn’t mean you can’t feel the rush of flowing water surround you on a hot day. Grab a paddle or fishing rod and don’t forget your SPF 50!