Arkansas State Parks Trip Ideas

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...

Spend Green Friday Outside

Green Friday is a day to choose to be outside. Let us know how you spent Green Friday on social media — tag us and use the hashtags #ARStateParks, #GreenFriday, and #OptOutside.

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...

Get Back to Nature This Fall

As bright mornings give way to chillier weather and the leaves start to turn to auburn, garnet and gold, you’ll feel the pull to get outside. Whether you want to spend an entire weekend living around nature’s beauty or want to feel the thrill of speed as you race down a Monument Trail, Arkansas State Parks has something for everyone this autumn.

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...