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Arkansas   

Most people think of president Bill Clinton or the Wolfman Jack of Littlerock radio when they think of Arkansas but there is more, much more.  Just a note: you can obtain more information on the Clinton Presidential Center and Park -- America's 12th Presidential Library which is now open to the public, by clicking the hyperlink above . How about digging for diamonds.         You can find your own diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds in Murfreesboro. This is a state park where a 37 acre diamond rich volcanic pipe has rose to the surface. The exposed kimberlite (diamond bearing ore)  has yeilded over 19,000 diamonds and some as large as 34.25 carats, with perhaps the most publicly worn diamond , the 4.25-carat "Kahn Canary" diamond was found here in 1977 and was worn by Hillary Clinton during the presidential inaugural balls as well as for two gubernatorial inaugurations. There are still some beauties to be found. The largest diamond found in 2004, is a 4.36-carat brown diamond, which was discovered in August by Claudia Beatrice, a German tourist. You can do many activities in  the rest of the states that you can do in Arkansas but this is the only state we know of that has a "you find them, you keep them" diamond park.

Hiking in Arkansas        There are 250 hiking trails that stretch for more than 1500 miles. The six physiographic regions of Arkansas offer a variety of hiking experiences ranging from a view from the top of an Ozark or Ouachita mountain to the fragrance of pine forests (see the map link on the right). A variety of wildlife provide many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy experiencing Arkansas's beauty by exploring the state's plentiful natural resources. The State Park trails are broken down into categories to make it easier for you to select which trail would be right for you to enjoy.  One nice hiking destination is the Cedar Falls Trails that winds through the Cedar Creek Canyon to reveal the splendid 95 foot  Cedar Falls. The trip is a 2-1/4 miles round trip and is classified as moderate-to-strenuous. The park is located on Ark. 154 southwest of Morrilton. See maps of Arkansas Be sure to visit our Hiking page for many other great locations. When planning any hiking trip, and you must plan it, be sure to avail yourself of our highly recommended Tips,  checklist, and equipment pages. Print the checklist and use it. We are always open tot suggestions for modifying these.   If you have had a memorable experience when hiking or doing any type of activity the send us a short story to share with our readers. Those tha enjoy hiking will for the most part enjoy "Caving" or spelunking. See below for a section on this activity.

Hiking in Arkansas Backpacking Day Hikes  » Map Trails by Difficulty  » Easy  » Moderate  » Strenuous Wilderness Areas Hiking Info/Guides

Go Caving in Arkansas  Discover another wilderness just beneath the surface of this adventurous state, the limestone caves of the Ozarks. These caves contain  subterranean lakes and streams, mazes, crystals, fossils, cave creatures such as blind trout and salamanders, and an array of formations with names like flowstone, helictite, stalagmite, and stalactite. When hiking you may come across what is known as a "wild Cave". In other words one that has not been exploited commercially. Most of these require permit and yet others have a grate over the entrance to protect the bat population  For information and permits, contact: Buffalo National River Harrison, Arkansas (870) 741-5443. The caves in Arkansas are "living caves" meaning that they are constantly changing due to erosion and deposition. The larger caves generally maintain a year round temperature  between the upper 50s and 60s and normally, a light jacket is all that is needed for comfort. For the more adventurous souls, some of the cave operators will provide a guided wild cave exploration into the regions not normally seen by visitors. Click on the links below for additional information on the publicly viewable caves. Arkansas Tour Caves Blanchard Springs Caverns Operated by the U.S. Forest Service - offers two guided tours on trails that lead visitors through massive caverns filled with ever-changing formations. Also offering Wild Cave tour for the physically fit. Located in Mountain View. Bull Shoals Caverns Offers 45-50 minute tours through magnificent caverns formed 350 million years ago. Located in Bull Shoals. Cosmic Caverns   The site of the Ozarks' largest underground lake, offers a one-hour guided tour through subterranean rooms and across an underground bridge. Located on Arkansas Highway 21 N., Berryville. Hurricane River Cave Offers a 45-minute guided tour through water-eroded passageways that are the most unique of their kind among American show caves. Wild Caving Tour by reservation only. Located in Pindall about 50 miles south of Branson, Missouri. Mystic Caverns Features guided tours of two spectacular caverns, Mystic and Crystal Dome. 28 foot "pipe organ" Located 8 miles south of Harrison in Marble Falls. Onyx Cave Radio headphones guide you through the cave as you pass amazing formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Easy access ramps take you to the cave, and a non-strenuous trail leads you through it. Located six miles east of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and is open daily all year. Old Spanish Treasure Cave Guided tour includes fossils of ancient sea. Also provides Adventure Tour for beginning cavers. Located near Sulphur Springs. War Eagle Cavern Located on a secluded site used by the Indians hundreds of years before the first European settlers came to the area. Every effort has been made to leave the caverns and ground in their natural state. Offers 40-minute tour. Located in War Eagle near Rogers on Beaver Lake. This is your opportunity to Share you love of caves with other. Send us a story about your caving adventures to be published in this website.

Hot Springs After a day of all these activities you will probally want to soak and relax. Most men wouldn't be caught soaking in a tub and here they don't have to.  One of the most famous features about this state is it's "Hotsprings". The Hot Springs National Parks was first designated a reservation in 1832, 40 years before the first National park of Yellowstone was declared. For as long as man has been in the area the spring have been used for both therapy and pleasure. There is something to be said about the therapeutic value as the mineral Sulphur is present in the water and is known to be a bactericide and was perhaps the most effective medicine before the development of penicillin. When you combine this with the cleansing and soothing action of the water you can easily see the reason that this is Arkansas largest draw for tourism. The Hot Springs National Park  Provide more than just the bathhouses but is full of scenic drives, Hiking trails, and camp and picnic grounds. The park is located around the town of Hot Springs.  To replace earlier wooden structures susceptible to fire, a row of luxurious stone and masonry bathhouses was constructed in the early 1900s along Central Avenue. Now, the "Bathhouse Row" structures are part of a National Historic Landmark District and represent the grandest collection of such bathhouses in North America. While preserving an array of 47 hot springs and their watershed, the park provides hiking trails, scenic drives, camping and picnic areas. Its visitors center is located in the restored Fordyce Bathhouse, which is open to self-guided tours. Arkansas may the destination for may birder in the near future. Why? The once thought to be extinct Ivory-Billed Woodpecker was sighted in the White River Natural Wildlife Reserve of Arkansas. So far there have not been any clear photographs taken to verify it's rediscovery, with the exception of a blurry video that unfortunately is u severely out of focus. Many Bird enthusiasts have flocked to the region but have come back empty handed photographically speaking but a few have been lucky enough to have at least made a sighting, The clincher on it's rediscovery is an audio recording that clearly preserved the characteristic nasal "kent" call and double raps on a tree. This is encouraging because this is the breeding call so there is a good chance that there may be at least one active breeding pair. For more information on these sighting see the articles in Birding America See our page on bird watching

wut2do In the state of Arkansas   There are several parks and attractions in this state that are part of the National Parks Service. These can be accessed  through the interactive map You can just imagine the possible activities this fantastic state has to offer.  Choose the activity of you choice and follow the links to find a guide service or suppliers. For a great variety of  maps see the University of Texas Library.   See the museums that are located within this State.

Must See Arkansas Attractions Shopping History & Heritage Arts & Entertainment Spas Dining Arkansas Diamond Mine Quartz Crystals in Arkansas Caves and Caverns Waterfalls Scenic Drives Golf Nightlife Wineries & Micro Breweries Horse, Dog, Auto Racing Fall Foliage Trail of Holiday Lights Sample Itineraries Festivals & Events

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