The Crater of Diamonds State Park is where I’m headed this month.  I’ve been dreaming of a road trip for awhile now and since winter is over, I’m heading east!  Arkansas, I’ve been told holds many wonderful natural resources.  I’ve always loved hunting rocks and now I’ll get to hunt the rock of a lifetime – a diamond.  Since its inception as a state park, Crater of Diamonds State Park has averaged two diamond discoveries per day or over 25,000 diamonds discovered to date.  I hope I get my quota each day I’m there.

Actually, the Crater of Diamonds State Park is a very nice place to either tent or RV camp.  In this particular camp there are 59 RV campsites all with water and electricity.  A dump station and bathhouse is located within the facilities.  I’m writing this article the middle of February and already the campsites for March are booked.  I’m not sure how many people go to Murfreesboro and the Crater of Diamonds State Park to get rich, but I would guess quite a few.  For me – I’m going with a friend and we are taking the kids on a spring break from school.  I want this to be a budget trip so

I’m calculating around $600 total for

everything for 5 people. 

Mining for diamonds isn’t all fun and games, so I’ll have to make it fun for the kids.  Hopefully they will enjoy hearing from one of the many guides in the area and really get stoked for digging after they tour through the interpretive center.  I’ll be sure to pack cameras for all of them so they can create their own interpretive version of our vacation. 

For our trip, we’ll need hand rakes, spades, and of course a sifting screen, a shovel and a bucket.  Packing for 5 people in a small class B RV is going to be interesting.  We’ll need 3 or 4 pairs of jeans each, enough shirts, undies, socks, 3 pairs of shoes – 1 pair for hiking,  1  pair for dry weather digging, the other pair for rain, rain clothes, as well as the usual stuff one packs in their motor home.  Do you know how much food 3 kids can consume?  With all that digging that’s going to take place – I should pack lots of fruits, veggie snacks, and carbs in the likes of pretzels, goldfish crackers, popcorn, and pudding snacks!

The park offers many other attractions.  One such attraction is the 14,000+  “mining-themed” water park.  The facility features a 4,166 sq. ft. wading pool with spray geysers, sprayers, water jets, animated waterspouts, cascades, two water slides and waterfall hideaways along with a spacious deck and pool furniture.

The Water Playground is open May 26 through August 19: Daily from noon to 6:00 p.m. and, August 25 through September 3 Saturday and Sunday only. The water park will only be open from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Labor Day. Admission to this facility will be $5.50 for persons 42 inches or more in height; $3.75 for persons less than 42 inches in height. Children under age 2 are admitted free, limited to 3 children per paying adult. A 20-admissions special pass costs $83.00. Children ages 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. 

Since our group will be in the park prior to the water park opening, we’ll have to find entertainment elsewhere.  There are many nature trails that are wheelchair accessible, so that means even the youngest of our kids will be able to walk and enjoy what the trails will have to offer.  There are fabulous opportunities for bird watching.  We’ll do that too.

Several day trips surrounding Murfreesboro and the Crater of Diamonds State Park are within one to two hours driving distance away.  In Arkansas, anywhere there is water – you’ll probably find a fish!  Our gang likes fishing.  I’m in hopes of finding a trout stream to fish while the others photograph birds and bugs.  I’ll be ok as long as no one finds a snake!

Since this is my “before the trip” article, I’ll have to write a follow up when I return home.  Isn’t it fantastic that in this wonderful nation of ours when we find something we really want to do – we have the freedom to do it.  All you need is imagination, determination, some time and a little money and don’t forget the map.  For those who love the outdoors, a tent, an RV, a sleeping bag, a hammock, and a little food can keep you quite satisfied!  Happy Traveling to Arkansas with me and the Crater of Diamonds Mine.

(Some photos are courtesy of Crater of Diamond Mines state park, others are of the author)