Arkansas

Tim D · 03-02-2014, 04:37 PM

Anyone been to Crater Diamond State Park? Sounds like fun.

concreteman · 03-02-2014, 04:53 PM

We talked about that. I was hoping to hear from someone who has been there.

slouman · 03-03-2014, 07:47 AM

We have been there. What would you like to know?

concreteman · 03-03-2014, 08:40 AM

I was wondering about the camp ground as there aren't many pictures of it on the web site.

Also what time of the tear did you go? Is it over crowded in the summer months?

Tim D · 03-03-2014, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slouman

We have been there. What would you like to know?

Was it fun? Would you go again? Could not find a map of the campground, could you recommend a site? Should we stay at another campground? etc.

Did you find any diamonds?

slouman · 03-03-2014, 09:09 AM

It has been several years ago and when we went we did not have our trailer. We stayed in a motel. However, we did walk through the campground and it was very nice. As I recall, the sites are large with a "woodsy" atmosphere. If we would take our trailer there we would definitely try to stay at the campground in the park.
The diamond hunting was fun but after a few hours of tromping through the mud it became boring. We were there in the spring (March or April I think) and immediately after a rain. Most available information says the search for diamonds is better after a rain but we quickly learned the soil is a heavy clay type material which sticks to your shoes like crazy. If you go when it's wet I'd advise wearing shoes or boots that you don't mind just throwing away when finished. The mud added several pounds to our feet and tired us out as time moved on. They publish the findings of larger stones but most of those found are very small ... about the size of a pin head.

Would we go again? Yes, probably, but it would not be right after a rain. We are retirees who do things like this just for fun and don't anticipate making a living finding precious stones. We don't need the added burden of the mud.

Tim D · 03-03-2014, 04:25 PM

Well...I was hoping I could retire after going there.

We are thinking of going around the end of may. Sounds like fun. Will have to stop in Hot Springs too.

MEHoffman · 03-05-2014, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim D

Was it fun? Would you go again? Could not find a map of the campground, could you recommend a site? Should we stay at another campground? etc.

Did you find any diamonds?

Click on the "Park Brochures" button, lower right, then select "Park Information Brochure". A .pdf file will open. Page two of the .pdf is a map.

Tim D · 03-05-2014, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEHoffman

Click on the "Park Brochures" button, lower right, then select "Park Information Brochure". A .pdf file will open. Page two of the .pdf is a map.

I must have missed that. Thanks.

johnboytoo · 03-06-2014, 02:59 PM

Went there a LONG time ago and would not go back imho

We liked Maumel Recreation area and Hot Springs a LOT better than there....

Tim D · 03-06-2014, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

Went there a LONG time ago and would not go back imho

We liked Maumel Recreation area and Hot Springs a LOT better than there....

Can you elaborate on why you would not go back?

johnboytoo · 03-07-2014, 12:42 PM

Sorry - you are correct to ask me to elaborate...

Just wasn't our cup of tea and we had kids with us then we thought would like the treasure hunt.... 10 minutes and they were DONE --- besides how many STONES do you think are there that are more than a fleck ?!?

Really think they'd leave anything there ?!?

Tim D · 03-07-2014, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboytoo

Sorry - you are correct to ask me to elaborate...

Just wasn't our cup of tea and we had kids with us then we thought would like the treasure hunt.... 10 minutes and they were DONE --- besides how many STONES do you think are there that are more than a fleck ?!?

Really think they'd leave anything there ?!?

So...You mean I won't be able to retire after going there? lol. How was the campground itself? Supposed to have full hookups. Any sites on the river? I do plan on doing Hot Springs as well. Still researching other things to do while in the area. Thanks.

slouman · 03-08-2014, 07:23 AM

Tim, in addition to the campground at Crater of Diamonds there is also a nice COE campground not too far away. If I remember correctly they have full hookup sites there.

Tim D · 03-08-2014, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slouman

Tim, in addition to the campground at Crater of Diamonds there is also a nice COE campground not too far away. If I remember correctly they have full hookup sites there.

Thanks Robert. The COE's tend to be pretty nice.

tator447 · 03-20-2014, 03:53 PM

Tim,
I lived in Springdale, AR for 18 months a few years back. The COE campgrounds there are gorgeous, well thought out and many are in fact FHU. I am looking at heading there perhaps in October and will use them. Be advised to that there are several in the Rogers area as well as elsewhere as Beaver Lake has 500 miles of shoreline. As info what I do when I find a campground is go to Google Maps and type the address in and then I look at the satellite view to assure myself that they have spots that can handle my unit. You get a good picture of the CG that way. Just an idea.

Travel well,
Jim

Tim D · 03-20-2014, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tator447

Tim,
I lived in Springdale, AR for 18 months a few years back. The COE campgrounds there are gorgeous, well thought out and many are in fact FHU. I am looking at heading there perhaps in October and will use them. Be advised to that there are several in the Rogers area as well as elsewhere as Beaver Lake has 500 miles of shoreline. As info what I do when I find a campground is go to Google Maps and type the address in and then I look at the satellite view to assure myself that they have spots that can handle my unit. You get a good picture of the CG that way. Just an idea.

Travel well,
Jim

Thanks Jim, I think we are going to go the 3rd week of May. I am looking forward to it.

Ken · 03-21-2014, 01:43 PM

I have not been to that park but I have stayed at De Gray Lake state park that is pretty close to Crater of Diamonds State Park and Hot Springs. I highly recommend De Gray state park, there is a lot to do there and the camp sites are great. We took our boat but there is many other things to do like a golf course on site and horse back riding a full marina where boats can be rented. Another state park in the area that we really like is Lake Catherine state park, this one is closer to Hot Springs and has a great sand beach. Here most of the campsites are right on the water or near with views.

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