While most people associate Arkansas with Wal-Mart, President Bill Clinton, and Little Rock, there is so much more to The Natural State. Arkansas contains over 600,000 acres of lakes and 9,700 miles of streams and rivers. The state contains six national park sites, two-and-a half million acres of national forests, seven national scenic byways, three state scenic byways, and 50 state parks. Famous singer Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland. Additionally, the Ozark National Forest covers more than one million acres.
Arkansas has many hidden gems for travelers within its borders. This week, in Episode 4 of our Hidden Vacation Gems series, we would like to spotlight three of them for you.
Crater of Diamonds State Park – Murfreesboro
One of the only places in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source, Crater of Diamonds is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings people from all over the world to Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Visitors to the park search a 37-acre plowed field, the eroded surface of a volcanic crater, for variety of rocks, minerals, and gemstones – and any rock or mineral you find is yours to keep. You may bring your own mining equipment to search with (no battery-operated or motor driven mining tools allowed), or rent tools from the park. At the park’s visitor center, you can view real, uncut diamonds and interact with exhibits illustrating the area’s unique history and geology.
At the Diamond Discovery Center, you can learn more about rocks and minerals found at the park and how to search for diamonds using various techniques. Diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow: the three colors found here at the park are white, brown, and yellow. Amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, quartz, and other rocks and minerals naturally occur here. Park staff provide complimentary identification or rocks and minerals found at the park, as well as diamond mining demonstrations and other interpretive programs.
More than 33,100 diamonds have been found by park visitors since the Crater of Diamonds became an Arkansas state park in 1972. Notable diamonds found at the Crater include the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam, the largest diamond ever unearthed in the U.S.; the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight; the 15.33-carat Star of Arkansas; and the 8.52-carat Esperanza.
Other amenities include walking trails, picnic sites, 47 Class AAA campsites (50 Amp/30 Amp/Water/Sewer), 5 walk-in tent sites, a gift shop, Kimberlite Cafe (seasonal), and Diamond Springs Water Park (seasonal), which is a great place to cool off after a summer day of digging for diamonds.
Pivot Rock Park – Eureka Springs
Over a century ago someone very smart discovered the astounding rock formations that are now known as Pivot Rock Park, and turned it into a delightful roadside attraction.
This vintage throwback takes advantage of the area’s strangely stacked natural rock formations. The titular Pivot Rock looks like an upside-down pyramid, right down to the stepped ridges on its edges. Other geological oddities on the grounds include the Natural Bridge, which looks just like it sounds, a naturally occurring stone bridge. Natural Bridge was actually used as a bridge during pioneer days, but we wouldn’t recommend trying to drive a vehicle over it today. This bridge spans 120 feet, is millions of years in the making, and formed from sandstone. You’ll also find a ranger who can tell you about the history of the arch, and a cabin full of antiques.
According to local Ozark legend, the park was home to the Jesse James gang of outlaws for a time. However, it’s true that most every place in the area claims this, so the claim to fame may be drummed up to help attract visitors. Either way, there aren’t too many of these classic roadside tourist traps left along the American byways.
The park is located just off of Highway 62 West in Eureka Springs. To get to the rock formations you must pass through the gift shop and pay a small fee, sort of like a touristy toll booth. Entry is $5 for adults and $1 for children. Dogs are welcome. From there, the formations are easily accessible via paved paths through the wilderness.
Terra Studios – Fayetteville
Established by Leo and Rita Ward in 1975, an artistic couple, Terra Studios was initially intended to offer art lessons to enthusiastic learners. Leo, a master glass craftsman, and Rita, a spectacularly talented potter and sculptor, created their own artworks at the studio until one fine day, Leo created the “Bluebird of Happiness.”
Though Leo and Rita retired in 2007, the new owner continues to carry on the legacy of the “Bluebird of Happiness.” After producing over 8 million Bluebirds, no part of the property has been left untouched by art. Even the trash cans are trolls with gaping mouths to gobble up your refuse. There is a labyrinth of standing stones, a lovely cafe next to a pond, and more gnomes, trolls and fairies than you can count. There is also the the dim Garden of Otis Zark through which visitors can reach the centerpiece of the collection, the Wizard’s Chair, which is made of formed clay and magnificently lit colored glass.
Many artists still reside on the property, and art is in constant production. You can watch the glass craftsmen make Bluebirds in the gallery, pottery classes are available, and local musicians play in the cafe on weekends. Terra is a wonderful place to relax and take in the natural beauty, surrounded by the clay and glass flights of creative fancy Ozark folk artists are known for.
A little trail through the woods leads to a stone maze and little hobbit doors for kids to enter. It’s an ideal spot to set your imagination free as you wander through the gardens, by the pond, through the gallery, and in the studios. Check out the gift shop to select your favorite pieces to take home. This place has been around for decades, and it’s one of the best places to go in Arkansas. If you haven’t been there yet, you’re missing out.
Although Arkansas has a ton of hidden gems, we hope that the three featured gems this week inspire you to take a road trip to The Natural State. As always, leave us comments letting us know of additional “hidden gems” you may know of that we missed. Next week, we will take a look at Georgia. In the meantime, happy Red Frog travels… 🙂
