Activities | Collier Creek Cabin

The Mount Ida/Norman area is loaded with all types of family oriented activities. The Cabin is close to Lake Quachita (Wash-i-taw), which is about 49,000 acres. Lake Quachita is the state's largest manmade lake and according to the EPA, one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. Lake Quachita is one of the top 10 Bass Fishing Lake and there are numerous fishing tournaments through out the year. Other lake activities include water skiing, scuba diving, tubing, swimming and sailing. The lake is just a short drive from the cabin.

Mount Ida is the "Quartz Crystal Capital of the World" and there are numerous crystal mines where you and your family can dig for quartz crystals. Up to date information about the various mines, hours of operation and costs and information about the local rock shops can be found on the Mount Ida Chamber of Commerce Web Site. Some of my favorite shops and mines can be found on the local links page.

It's finder's keepers at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. The only public diamond mine in the world, Crater of Diamonds offers you a one-of-a-kind adventure - the opportunity to hunt for real diamonds and to keep any you find.

You'll search over a 37-acre plowed field - the eroded surface of an ancient, gem-bearing volcanic pipe. Begin your diamond hunting adventure at the visitor center featuring exhibits and an audio/visual program that explains the area's geology and offers tips on recognizing diamonds in the rough.

Since diamonds were first discovered on the site in 1906, over 75,000 diamonds have been unearthed. The Park offers 59 Class A campsites, picnic sites, a summertime café, laundry, gift shop, hiking trails, interpretive programs and a water play area.

When John Huddleston plucked two diamonds from the greenish-colored dirt of his farm, a hysteria known as "diamond fever" ensued. Although the excitement has since waned, interest in Arkansas's diamond mine remains high. About 60,000 people come to Huddleston's old farm site, now the Crater of Diamonds State Park, each year to search for these precious gems. The crater is the only diamond mine in the world where the public can pay a fee to dig and keep any gems they find.

Mount Ida is also the home of the Front Porch Stage and the home of the "Possum Queen". The Front Porch Stage provides musical entertainment "On the Square" in Mount Ida during the summer months every Saturday evening. The concerts are free and open to the public. Be sure to bring a lawn chair, sit awhile and enjoy the music. Additional information about the Front Porch Stage and scheduling information can be found on their web site, Front Porch Stage.Org.

Need more? Mount Ida is also home to the "Good Ole Days Celebration" and the "Memorial Day Car Show."