In our attempt to visit all fifty-two state parks in three years, we booked a trip to Daisy State Park over spring break 2024 after our Mt Nebo visit in the fall of 2023. So let’s go through our adventures on this trip park by park. By park. We were busy…
Let’s go to DAISY STATE PARK
Daisy was the first state park we stayed at that doesn’t offer cabins. While they do have yurts, we weren’t in the mood for that. One phone call to the park I had the name of a company they work with often that rents out campers. For about the same cost as a hotel stay, we got to experience camper life for the first time!
It really couldn’t have gone any better; we showed up at check in and the camper had already been delivered and set up. We just had to bring our luggage in and buy groceries. Linens and kitchen supplies were all provided, which made it so much easier to unpack!
The kids had a lot of fun with the new experience and sleeping in the bunks. And we had a little bit of privacy with our own room with an exterior door.
The park itself is in Kirby, Arkansas.
CRATER OF DIAMONDS
I’ve been there before on a family vacation in my tweens. I remember it being hot, it was dirty, and that did not go over well between my sister and me. Luckily, this time around, the temperature was comfortable; it had recently rained, and instead of dusty, it was muddy.
Our eight-year-old still enjoys reminding me that my rain boot got stuck in the mud. Luckily, I did not get my foot muddy or fall over.
Digging for diamonds is not a cheap activity in my mind; you pay to rent equipment if you don’t own it. While you do get a deposit back later if you return the equipment, but it still set us back about $60.
HISTORIC WASHINGTON
This park actually encompasses the entire historic town of Washington, Arkansas.The park offers daily guided tours, or you can grab a map and walk around on your own. We chose the latter. Buildings in this historic site date anywhere from 1830 to 1880. The old courthouse serves as the gift shop/visitor center
While there, our kids got some hands-on experience in the blacksmith shop and came home with a pot hook they had helped mold. The legendary Bowie knife was also forged at this site.
By far the most impressive part of the experience was the Royston House Magnolia. The tree was planted in 1845 when the house was built, and still stands. Not only is this magnificent tree huge, but you can also walk right under it. Some of the older branches have rerooted.
COSSATOT RIVER
This is one park we would love to explore more. We only stopped by the visitor’s center and walked one trail. There are nearly twenty miles of trails to explore.
MILLWOOD
Millwood State Park is a great place for serious bass fishers. We were neither, so we just made a quick stop for the passport stamp. The lake is over 29,000 acres and home to bass, crappie, and catfish.
LAKE FORT SMITH
We had been to Lake Fort Smith State Park before, but made a point to stop on the way home from our trip to get the passport stamp. Utilities are left on year-round at this state park, which is great if you want a little winter getaway in the camper.
spring break 2024
We had a blast on this trip, but spent a lot of time in the car in between parks. As of this posting, we are just a few trips short of joining the ranks of Club 52 as visitors of ALL Arkansas State Parks. We already have a list of parks we want to revisit. What are you waiting for? Get out there and let’s go camping! Frugal-ish adventures await!
Stay tuned for more State Park adventures on a Life on a Dime.