[Pooua]

I am putting together a weekend outing for my Dallas-era hiking group, which we hope to do in December. My main goal is Crater of Diamonds State Park, where we would like to dig for diamonds and maybe camp, but I would like to know what else is available in the area. I would also like to know what it is like to dig for diamonds in December (is it too cold?). How about camping in December? I've read several threads on City-Data, which indicate that crystal hunting is also a good idea and more productive than diamond hunting. I've located a half-dozen crystal mines that are available for public digging, mostly in Mount Ida. I would like to visit some hot springs, too. I know that Hot Springs has about 42 hot springs, but it is an hour's drive from either the Park or Mt. Ida (though it does have a crystal mine nearby). Are there any hot springs closer to either the Park or Mt. Ida? Are all the hot springs inside a bathhouse, or are some of them still wild? Are there any good crystal mining sites closer to the Park? Are there any particularly attractive scenic spots that are very nice for hiking?

Thank you.

[Luvvarkansas]

There is one hot spring in Hot Springs left in its natural state (pretty much) right at the base of the mountain, close to bath house row. They've built a little concrete pool at the bottom....people like to sit there and put their feet in the water. It gives off a lot of steam in cool weather. It's interesting.

It could be too cold to dig for diamonds in December....or not. It's wildly variable. It can possibly get up into the 60s or so in the daytime in the winter, or it could be in the 30s. No way to tell very far in advance.

I think there is a hiking trail at the COD state park. Not positive. The web site would tell, I guess.

I've only been there twice and don't have a lot of experience in that area, so that's all I can tell you.

[Pooua]

Thank you for that information. The one hot springs sounds interesting, but I don't think I would make a trip to Hot Springs just for that. I'm hoping to find something that is more in the countryside, something that looks natural.

How about waterfalls? Are there any good waterfalls near Crater of Diamonds State Park?

CoD website says they have 3 hiking trails.

[Luvvarkansas]

Originally Posted by Pooua

Thank you for that information. The one hot springs sounds interesting, but I don't think I would make a trip to Hot Springs just for that. I'm hoping to find something that is more in the countryside, something that looks natural.

How about waterfalls? Are there any good waterfalls near Crater of Diamonds State Park?

CoD website says they have 3 hiking trails.

There may be some natural hot springs that only locals know about. I don't know.

I don't know of any good waterfalls around COD. The terrain is not as steep around there as it is in some other parts of Arkansas. But again, there may be one that someone more knowledgeable than I am about the area would know about. If you want a great waterfall and hiking trails, your best bet would be to spend one night at COD, then head up to Petit Jean State Park for the rest of your stay, if you have time. Petit Jean is great.....I think Cedar Falls is around 95 feet. It's beautiful, and so is the hiking trail that leads to the base of the falls (which can also be viewed from the top without hiking).

I hope you all have a good time! Arkansas is great.

[Aporkalypse]

There is a waterfall at Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs, though it's not as dramatic as those up in the Ozarks. I love the one at Petit Jean. They have a lot of great trails there for a hiking group, it's my favorite place in Arkansas to hike.