Crater of Diamonds to host a New Year’s Day hike
MURFREESBORO — Crater of Diamonds State Park will celebrate 50 years as an Arkansas State Park in 2022, and on Saturday, Jan. 1, visitors can be among the first to visit the Crater on its golden anniversary year, and learn about the park’s fascinating history and geology along a guided hike through the diamond search area.
The hike will begin at 10:30 a.m. and end around noon. Gates will open 15 minutes early for participants to arrive and gather with the park superintendent in the main parking area near the Visitor Center. Late entries will not be permitted. Hikers should dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and be prepared to walk about 1 mile. All park facilities will be closed on New Year’s Day, and diamond searching will not be allowed during the hike. The park will resume normal operations at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 2.
The 37.5-acre search area at Crater of Diamonds State Park is the eroded surface of an ancient, diamond-bearing volcanic pipe. The ground is plowed periodically, as weather allows, to loosen the soil and promote diamond finds. Parts of the search area may be steep and uneven; care should be taken in these areas to help prevent falls, a news release said.
This guided hike is part of the nationwide First Day Hikes initiative, led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. On New Year’s Day, hundreds of free, guided hikes will be organized in all 50 states. Kids and adults all across America will be participating in First Day Hikes, getting their hearts pumping and enjoying the beauty of a state park.
“Last year nearly 55,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles throughout the country,” the release said.
Crater of Diamonds State Park is located on Highway 301 in Murfreesboro. Visit http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com, call 870-285-3113, or email Craterofdiamonds@arkansas.com for more information.