Press Releases

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism announced the findings of the 2025 Economic Impact Report, which shows that visitors generated $10.2 billion in spending across Arkansas’ visitor economy last year. This...

(LITTLE ROCK) – Monument Trails and Arkansas have won Outside’s 2023 Travel Award for best mountain biking in the United States. Outside announced the award today in its annual Travel Awards article appearing on Outside Online. The Outside print...

(MURFREESBORO, Ark.) – This month, guests at Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park are invited to celebrate the park's golden anniversary on April 22 and 23. At 4 p.m. on Friday, April 22, retired Executive Director of Parks and Tourism Richard Davies and retired Park Superintendent Jim Cannon will speak on the early days of the park. Immediately following, the park will unveil a new wayside exhibit on the 8.52-carat Esperanza Diamond, discovered at the park in June 2015. Attendees may bring chairs or blankets to sit on during these activities. On Saturday, April 23, the park will host its 26th Annual Prospector’s Treasure Hunt for painted bottles and rocks hidden throughout the diamond search area, redeemable for a variety of prizes from area businesses. Park staff will also host fun games during the day for visitors of all ages to play.

National Travel and Tourism Week shines a spotlight on the U.S. travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness. In Arkansas, tourism is a $9.9 billion industry, with 50.7...

David DeCook, a regular visitor to Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park from Stewartville, MN, recently spotted a glimmering 3.81-carat brown diamond while visiting the park with his family. It is the largest diamond registered so far this year.  

For the first time, the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism is bringing together the Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism presented by Oaklawn and the Arkansas Outdoor Economy Summit, creating an unprecedented opportunity for...

Arkansas State Parks provide an opportunity to commemorate the new year outdoors with First Day Hikes on Jan. 1, 2025.

“Minor Find” second-largest at park in 2024 There is nothing better than memories made while spending quality time with family. For Will and Marshall Barnett, of Buckeye, AZ, a recent father-and-son trip to Arkansas’ famous Crater of Diamonds State...

By Jill Rohrbach View photos here. Vacations are great, but expeditions can be truly transformative. For instance, consider mountain biking the trails Olympians train on, thru-hiking miles and miles of national forest land, or bikepacking an...