This New Year's Day, make a resolution for a healthier 2019 with a morning guided hike at the Crater of Diamonds State Park as part of the nationwide First Day Hikes initiative.
Hikers of all ages and activity levels are invited to meet by 9 a.m. at the Little Missouri River Trailhead, across from site 22 in the park campground. Limited parking is available at the trailhead and nearby bathhouse. All park facilities, including the diamond search area, will be closed Jan. 1.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, dress for the weather and bring drinking water.
The Little Missouri River Trail offers an easy, one-hour walk featuring a view of the Little Missouri River. Educational panels along the way highlight native plants and animals, and two exercise stations offer a variety of physical fitness challenges. Half of the 1.2-mile loop is paved and is the longest wheelchair-accessible trail in this part of the state. The unpaved portion of the trail is also easily walked. If you miss next year's First Day Hike, you can still enjoy a peaceful walk along the Little Missouri River Trail at any time during daylight hours!
First Day Hikes originated more than 25 years ago at a state park in Milton, Mass. On New Year's Day 2018, nearly 55,000 people participated in First Day Hikes, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles throughout the country. For more information or directions, call Crater of Diamonds State Park at 870-285-3113 or visitCraterofDiamondsStatePark.com.
Crater of Diamonds State Park is one of 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Additional information about Arkansas's diamond site can be found at www.ArkansasStateParks.com.