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Mount Magazine State Park

At 2,753-feet, Mount Magazine is Arkansas's highest mountain, rising dramatically above the broad valleys of the Petit Jean River to the south and the Arkansas River to its north. Graced with timeless natural beauty, and rich in natural resources including rare and endangered species, Mount Magazine has long lured explorers, adventurers, scientists, naturalists, and vacationers. Visitors come for the spectacular views alone, but there is much more to see and do at this unique park. Mount Magazine State Park is an ideal oasis for relaxation and nature study. It is also perfect for exploration, and it is recognized for outdoor sports and extreme adventures with mountain biking, horseback riding, backpacking, and ATV riding. Mount Magazine is also the state park system’s most dramatic location for technical rock climbing, and it is also one of only two parks to offer hang gliding launch areas. Scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic area, pavilion, and a visitor center with gift shop add to the amenities of the mountain’s natural beauty and overall appeal. 16878 AR-309, Paris, AR 72855, 479-963-8502 Arkansasstateparks.com/parks/mount-magazine-state-park

Petit Jean State Park

Petit Jean State Park is named for the legend of Petit Jean, a French girl who disguised herself as a boy and secretly accompanied her sweetheart, an early explorer, to the New World and to this mountain. Scenic hiking trails wind their way through forests and meadows, overlooking canyons and streams amid the mountainside. The spectacular 95-foot Cedar Falls, Seven Hollows, and distinctive features like the Bear Cave, the Grotto, and the Natural Bridge, add to the beauty and unique qualities of the park. There are more than 20 hiking trails in Arkansas that will lead you through Petit Jean's natural and historic resources. The park reflects the image of the mountain’s rugged beauty, and it offers rustic-style, log and stone facilities. A focal point of the park, the historic 24-room Mather Lodge, has a restaurant, meeting rooms, and a gift shop. Other lodging options include 125 park campsites, a group camp area, and four RentA-Yurts. There are two swimming pools, picnic areas, playgrounds, pavilions, a boat launch ramp, tennis and basketball courts, an amphitheater on site, and the park also has an airport. 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton, AR 72110, 501-727-5441, Arkansasstateparks.com/parks/petit-jean-state-park

Crater of Diamonds State Park

Crater of Diamonds State Park is a 911-acre state park located in Pike County, Arkansas. The unique park features a 37.5-acre plowed field on which visitors can hunt for diamonds and other semi-precious gems. On average, two diamonds are found per day by park visitors. Since 1906, diamonds have continuously been discovered in the field, including the 8.66 Illusion Diamond (found in 2011), the 8.52 carat Esparanza Diamond (found in 2015), the 15.33 carat Star of Arkansas Diamond (found in 1956), and the 40.23 carat Uncle Sam Diamond (found in 1924). The park has a visitor center that contains detailed and fascinating information about the geology of the park. There is also a gift shop and a cafe. Interested visitors can continue to the Diamond Discovery Center which offers an interpretive look at prospecting for diamonds. The Diamond Springs aquatic playground, enclosed pavilion, trails, and picnic areas surround the diamond field. The park offers campers 47 Class AAA facilities near the Little Missouri River. 209 State Park Road, Murfreesboro, AR 71958, 870-285-3113, Arkansasstateparks.com/ parks/crater-diamonds-state-park