Park Pass & Fees
Most Arkansas state parks offer free admission — no entry fees or vehicle passes required. The exception is Crater of Diamonds State Park ($10 adults, $6 children 6–12) where you dig and keep any diamonds you find. Camping fees range from $12–$38/night depending on amenities and location. Six parks offer lodge accommodations: DeGray Lake Resort, Mount Magazine, Petit Jean, Devil’s Den, Maumelle (Pinnacle Mountain area), and Ozark Folk Center.
Parks by Region
Ozark Mountains
Devil’s Den State Park — Arkansas’s most beloved park — sits in a steep-sided Ozark valley with CCC-era stone cabins, cave trails, and stunning fall color. Mount Magazine State Park crowns the state’s highest point (2,753 feet) with a modern lodge perched on the rim of a dramatic mesa. Hobbs State Park–Conservation Area offers 12,000 acres of trails above Beaver Lake. Natural Dam is a short drive to the widest natural dam in North America.
Ouachita Mountains & Hot Springs
DeGray Lake Resort State Park is Arkansas’s only resort-lodge park on a lake, with an 18-hole championship golf course, marina, and island lodge. Lake Catherine State Park offers Ouachita Mountain lake recreation near Hot Springs. Crater of Diamonds State Park at Murfreesboro is the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public — visitors search a 37.5-acre field and keep whatever they find.
Central Arkansas
Pinnacle Mountain State Park near Little Rock is the capital city’s outdoor playground, with a distinctive cone-shaped summit offering panoramic views of the Arkansas River Valley. Petit Jean State Park — the first Arkansas state park — features Cedar Creek Trail, the legendary Seven Hollows trail, and a lodge with canyon views. Woolly Hollow State Park provides quiet family recreation on Lake Bennett.
Eastern Arkansas — Delta
Village Creek State Park protects rolling Crowley’s Ridge terrain in the flat Mississippi Delta — a fascinating geological anomaly. Lake Chicot State Park sits on the largest natural lake in Arkansas (an oxbow of the Mississippi River). Jacksonport State Park preserves a Civil War–era river port.
Best Parks by Activity
Best for Hiking
- Devil’s Den State Park — Butterfield Hiking Trail and cave loops
- Petit Jean State Park — Seven Hollows and Cedar Creek
- Mount Magazine State Park — Signal Hill and Rim trails
- Pinnacle Mountain State Park — Summit climb with river valley views
Best for Unique Experiences
- Crater of Diamonds State Park — Dig for real diamonds
- Ozark Folk Center State Park — Artisan crafts and folk music
- Hampson Archeological Museum — Ancient Native American artifacts
- Parkin Archeological State Park — Hernando de Soto expedition site
Best for Lodge Stays
- DeGray Lake Resort — Island lodge, golf, marina
- Mount Magazine State Park — Clifftop lodge with panoramic views
- Petit Jean State Park — Historic Mather Lodge on canyon rim
- Devil’s Den State Park — CCC-era stone cabins
Best for Families
- Crater of Diamonds State Park — Diamond digging adventure
- Pinnacle Mountain State Park — Nature center and easy trails
- Devil’s Den State Park — Cave exploring and pool
- Woolly Hollow State Park — Lake swimming and rentals
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Waterfall season, wildflowers, dogwood blooms |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Lake recreation, lodge pools, longer trail days |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | Ozark foliage is spectacular — peak late October |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Quiet trails, lodge stays, diamond digging without crowds |
FAQs
Are Arkansas state parks free?
Yes — most parks have free entry. Crater of Diamonds charges $10/adult. Camping and lodge stays carry separate fees.
Can I really find diamonds in Arkansas?
Yes! Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place in the world where the public can search for diamonds and keep what they find. Over 75,000 diamonds have been found since 1906, including several large gems.
What is the best state park in Arkansas?
Devil’s Den is consistently rated the top park for its CCC-era cabins, cave trails, and fall foliage. Mount Magazine and Petit Jean are equally exceptional.
Does Arkansas have state park lodges?
Yes! Six parks offer lodging — from the lakeside island lodge at DeGray to the clifftop lodge at Mount Magazine and the historic Mather Lodge at Petit Jean.
Start Your Arkansas Adventure
Arkansas’s 52 state parks deliver experiences you truly can’t find anywhere else — dig for real diamonds, sleep in Depression-era stone cabins atop Ozark bluffs, and hike through ancient forests that define the Natural State.
