Crater of Diamonds Newsletter

The Crater of Diamonds State Park is, of course, famous for the ability of our visitor’s to look for real diamonds and keep them. However, since it was built in 2004, our Diamond Springs Water Park has also become a popular way to beat the heat. The triple digit temperatures we have recently been experiencing in the end of June have made coming to the water park an even more inviting prospect.

The water park has a mining theme, with two long slides, 2 waterfalls, and a mining “shack” in the middle of the pool with lots of squirting things to play with, and a shorter slide for younger visitors. At one edge the pool shallows with fountain features that our youngest visitors adore. The pool is only 3’ 7” at the deepest spot. The deck around the pool has covered or shaded areas with plenty of lounging chairs, where I see lots of parents relaxing and enjoying a good book. The water park is open from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM daily until August 19^th. Then, it is open only on the weekends until it closes for the season after Labor Day.

If a child is over 10 years old, he/she can come to the water park without an adult being present. For children who are 5-10 years old an adult (18 years and older) has to be within the boundaries of the water park. So, many people choose this option and buy a non-swimming $2.00 chaperone ticket. If the child is under 5 years old, then the adult needs to be within arm’s reach while the child is in the pool.

The entry fee is based on height. Children and adults over 42” buy a $5.50 ticket, which means that they are allowed to go down the two long slides. Children less than 42” tall pay only $3.75 each and babies under 2 years old are free. The park offers a 20 visit pass for $83.00 and a family season pass is $215.00 for two adults and two children.

When planning your trip to the water park you will want to keep in mind that we do not allow water toys in the pool, only life jackets and swimmee arm floats for small non-swimmers. Any diapers must be the special ones for swimming and covered with a swimming suit. No food and only bottled water are allowed.

Many people rent our water park for private parties from 6:30-8:30 PM in the evening. It costs $150.00 to rent the entire water park, which includes 20 tickets. More than 20 people costs an additional $4.50 per person. The nights fill up pretty quickly, so you will need to call the park at 870/285-3113 to find out if your night is available. Visitors are allowed to bring water toys and refreshments to the pool parties.

So, when those hot afternoons seem to drag on forever, come to the diamond mine for a refreshing way to beat the heat. Many of our visitors include the water park in their diamond searching plans. With the diamond search area open from 8 AM to 8 PM all summer, they make plans to search in the morning and the evening and relax in our cool water park during the hot afternoon!

Search area last plowed: June 7, 2012; Most recent slight rain: June 16, 2012

June 27 -David Anderson, Murfreesboro, AR, 3 pt. white, 4 pt. white, 6 pt. white, 8 pt. white, 18 pt. white

June 29 - Sarah Laros, Murfreesboro, AR, 5 pt. brown, 10 pt. white, 20 pt. brown, 32 pt. white

June 30 - Darlene Halton, Cape Girardeau, MO, 10 pt. brown; John & Kellie Hagopian, West Bloomfield, MO, 16 pt. white, 79 pt. brown