Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground Opens After Major Renovation
Margi Jenks, Park Interpreter
Crater of Diamonds State Park
(Murfreesboro, Ark.) The
Crater of Diamonds State Park is pleased to announce the opening of their campground on Monday, August 30, 2010. After a year-long renovation process the park begins taking registrations and renting campsites on the September, 1
st. So, unlike other state parks that are usually booked months ahead, all 52 of the Crater of Diamonds sites are presently available for the up-coming Labor Day weekend.
Part of the renovation results was to add more privacy to the sites. Thus, the number of sites is now 47, rather than the previous 59, allowing more width and length for bigger recreational vehicles and more space between the sites. Sewer was added to every site, so the campsites are now Class AAA with water, sewer, and 50 amp electric. Two of the sites are ADA accessible. Most of the sites also have tent pads. These sites will cost $28.00 per night, with discounts for 62 years of age and older, 100% or permanent disability, and, at this time, the Golden or America the Beautiful Access Card. We also have 5 primitive tent sites which cost $11.00 per night with the same discounts.
You can
reserve the campsites either by calling the park between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week, at 870/285-3113, or by reserving the sites on our state park website
http://www.ArkansasStateParks.com/. When you reach the park, before occupying a site, you need to come to the park office to complete your registration. Even if you don’t come to camp, come by and view our newly renovated, beautiful campground. While you are there, you may want to walk our River Trail, which can be accessed from the campground and so also re-opens on the 30
th.
Search area last
plowed: August 4, 2010, Last major rain: August 7 and 8, 2010
Total diamonds so far in 2010 - 394
Diamonds registered August 16nd to August 29th (100 pts. = 1 carat):
August 16 - Myra Boykin & Beth Gilbertson, Pensacola, FL, 24 pt. white
August 17 - No diamonds were registered
August 18 - Myra Boykin & Beth Gilbertson, Pensacola, FL, 13 pt. white; James Boykin & Beth Gilbertson, Pensacola, FL, 28 pt. white
August 19 - Robert Floyd, Searcy, AR, 21 pt. yellow
August 20 - Myra Boykin & Beth Gilbertson, Pensacola, FL, 3 pt. white
August 21 - No diamonds were registered
August 22 - Kenny and Melissa Oliver, Rosston, AR, 32 pt. white, 6 pt. white; Mike Mason, McKinney, TX, 4 pt. yellow
August 23 - Al Bell, Murfreesboro, AR, 2 pt. yellow
August 24 - Al Bell, Murfreesboro, AR, 10 pt. white; Ken Shoemaker, Murfreesboro, AR, 1 pt. brown, 2 pt. yellow; Joey and Jimmy Allen, Scarsdale, NY, 16 pt. white
August 25 - Joey and Jimmy Allen, Scarsdale, NY, 9 pt. yellow
August 26 - Ken Shoemaker, Murfreesboro, AR, 1 pt. white
August 27 - Myra Boykin & Beth Gilbertson, Pensacola, FL, 6 pt. white
August 28 - Matthew Bourns, Denton, TX, 30 pt. brown
August 29 - Kenny and Melissa Oliver, 8 pt. white; Vicki Washburn, Plymouth, IN, 1 pt. white; Konnie Sampson, Mishawaka, IN, 2 pt. brown, 10 pt. white