No matter what part of Arkansas you want to see, there is a State Park located nearby. Arkansas is proud of its natural beauty, and it is on display at these parks.
You can find a State Park in the Ozark or Ouachita Mountains, or near a lake. Arkansas has over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,000 miles of streams, according to Arkansas State Parks.
There are many activities offered in the State Park System. There are many unique family activities, such as the guided kayak tour at Lake Ouachita State Park, located in Mountain Pine, Arkansas. This park is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, and is bordered by the largest lake within Arkansas orders. Fishing, swimming, and camping are the draw to this park. There are lakeside campsites available, and cabins that overlook the Lake. If you don’t have a boat, there are boats available for rental, including a pedal boat or canoe. For more information, contact the Park at [email protected] .
Another popular State Park is Mammoth Spring State Park, located on a 10 acre lake, off on United States Highway 63. The Spring River is well known for trout, and is an ideal stream to float. There is a 1886 Frisco train depot located here, and a caboose available to tour. They rent kayaks and pedal boats. Yoiu can email the park at www,[email protected]
Another popular State Park is the Washington State Park. It is located off Interstate 30, near Hope, Arkansas. This park offers a 19th century museum village. There are overnight accommodations available at the park for large groups., For more information, regarding tour information and admission costs, contact the park at 870-983-2684.
Devil’s Den State Park is located at West Fork, Arkansas. This park can be reached via State Highway 74. It is located in the Ozark Mountains. It has an eight acre lake, ideal for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and pedal boating. Hiking and bike trails are laid out so that they include caves and bluff overlooks. There are 143 campsites available at the park. There is a swimming pool and a cafe. There are guides for the hiking trails. For more information, regarding cabin and camp rentals, contact the park at 800-264-2417.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is another popular State Park. As the name indicates, this is a mining site. The 37 1/2 acre site is known for diamonds, and visitors are permitted to mine for the precious metals. There is an informative film shown to educate the visitor on the various gems that can be found in the mine. All gems found can be kept. There is a geologist on the site to identify your finds. You can rent the mining equipment, such as a shovel and a sifter. This park is located off Interstate 30, near Murfreesboro, Arkansas. There are picnic tables and grills located outside the diamond field. For more information, such as admission and operating hours, contact the park at 870-285-3113.
These parks are just a sampling of the numerous State parks in the system. A complete guide can be obtained from Arkansas State Parks, at ArkansasStateParks.com. This guide also includes GPS coordinates to guide you to the park.
References: Arkansas State Park Guide 2011, published by Arkansas State Parks