Crater of Diamonds State Park (Little Rock, Hot Springs: budget, hotel, trip)

[hln917]

Hi, I'm planning to take a trip down to the Diamond Park this fall. What is the nearest airport to fly into and any recommendations on where to stay? Preferably a hotel and not a campground. Thanks!

[Poltracker]

Nearest major airports would be Shreveport and Little Rock which make the drives a little long, about 1/2 way between but slightly closer to Little Rock. Place to stay..I would recommend the Queen of Diamonds Hotel...it is definitely the nicest. I sure hope you plan to do other things as well, there is not a whole lot of stuff going on around the diamond mine. I would recommend also visiting Mt. Ida and going crystal hunting or hitting Hot Springs, visiting the various lakes and admiring the Ouchita Mountain range. If you go in through Shreveport...hit the casinos on the waterfront and maybe visit Caddo Lake. The trip to the Diamond crater from Shreveport is about 2 - 2.5 hours. I've never driven there from Little Rock but I believe it is pretty close to the same. It might be quicker along I-30, I just never go that way.

[TN-rox]

Lake Greeson in Murfreesboro/Daisy is awesome. There is also the American Heritage Inn near the mine in Murfreesboro- cheaper than the queen of Diamonds, but if your on a tight budget then yea try there...

[Aporkalypse]

There are some smaller jets that service Hot Springs from DFW (?Mesa). That's not quite as far. I think they also will get you to Texarkana, which is also a little closer.