Crater of Diamonds State Park Campground

PROS

Senior discount for week nights
Excellent night sky viewingnot even big street lights at toilet/shower building
Campground WIFI weak and slow but at least it was a signal
Site 39 very shady
Site 39lLarge campsite with some privacy from other campsites
Moveable metal picnic table on a concrete slab. One end of table had corian slab on top of the metal table
Asphalt parking pad surrounded with gravel
Metal firepit with cooking grate
Pedestal BBQ grill
Trash and recycling bins throughout campground
21st century heated toilet/shower buildings (2) in the campground totaling 12 toilet/shower individual private
rooms. So if a person is showering, a toilet and sink is also occupied.

CONS

Campers dogs left alone barked continuously
Campsite firepit full of partial burnt wood and a lot of ash
Site 39 uneven
Lantern pole right next to firepit
You can see and hear traffic on AR301
No secured control to the campground unlike the visitor center and diamond mine
Never saw any rangers drive thru campground
Insufficient TP and hand soap in the toilet/shower building

I always feel spoiled when I can stay in a state park with full hook-ups. Crater of Diamonds did not disappoint. Our site was very long with a nice pad with picnic table, BBQ, and fire pit. There was also a tent pad and a lot of space between the shady sites. We enjoyed the 1.5 mile nature trail and spent several hours sifting for diamonds (with no luck, unfortunately). The staff in the visitor center and diamond center were all very friendly. There is a fun looking pool but it wasn't open yet. We would definitely stay here again.

We managed to check in right before they closed (4) received a map and directions although it was easy to follow the signs. Our site was #4 close to the bathhouse which is also where the Wi-Fi is located. There is a Host but we didn’t meet one? They have paved roads and site with side gravel with fire pit and standard grill a paved area with nice picnic table. A lot of trees for shade and no one is crowded together. Our Verizon service was horrible which was a surprise to us but once we got out of the campground and to higher ground it picked up. It’s easy to see this has been recently renovated and the bathhouse is new. They were busy building a second while we were there and it was needed.

We stayed Monday through Wednesday in 100 degree heat. The shaded spots made it very bearable. Sites are nice a level with many having a tent space as well as RV space. The 30 amp at our site had an issue but hooked up to 50 amp with an adapter and worked just fine. Full hookups at our site but there is also a dump station. Limited Wi Fi and NO over air tv stations. Town is very small with a Dollar General, Family Dollar/Dollar Tree beside each other on the same street. Adequate for supplies.

We came to search for diamonds, but the only gem we found was the campground. Paved roads, level paved sites with a separate level tent area. A nice table and fire pit. Good bathroom facilities. Well placed pedestals for the FHU’s. You need to check in at the visitor center and the people are friendly. Half of the campground was closed while they updated one showerhouse. It emptied out after the weekend and we were alone in our section. The river trail is a must, fully cement walkway and level. It doesn’t get much better than this.Verizon usable but not great.