Discover Diamonds: Arkansas Offers Unique Mining Experience

In southwest Arkansas, the Crater of Diamonds State Park presents a unique opportunity for the public to search for diamonds. Visitors can dig in this 37-acre area, situated atop an ancient volcanic pipe, for the price of a movie ticket and keep whatever they find. This unusual diamond mine, the only one of its kind globally, was established following the discovery of diamonds by John Wesley Huddleston in 1906, paving the way for commercial mining attempts before the park opened in 1972.

The park covers the site of a volcanic eruption that occurred around 100 million years ago, bringing diamonds formed deep within the Earth’s mantle to the surface. Despite multiple commercial endeavors to extract diamonds, the low concentration compared to other mines led to their failure. Rather than leasing the land to mining companies, the state transformed it into a public park, allowing visitors to engage in diamond prospecting.

Mining for Diamonds: A Unique Experience

Visitors to Crater of Diamonds State Park discover that the search for diamonds requires patience and perseverance. The park staff regularly tills the search area, exposing new soil and material. There are no special licenses required for visitors, who can come as often as they like. However, park regulations prohibit motorized equipment and require that any holes dug must be filled before leaving the site.

A travel blogger, Liz Mays, who visited the park earlier this year, noted the diverse crowd of families, hobbyists, and seasoned diggers. While some visitors casually scanned the ground, others brought more extensive equipment, such as wagons and wheelbarrows to carry supplies. The park offers basic tools for rent on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as facilities like covered pavilions with water troughs for wet sifting and open sluice boxes with hand-operated water pumps.

Finding diamonds at the park can be a challenge, as they typically appear as unassuming, glassy pebbles rather than the polished gems one might envision. In addition to diamonds, the volcanic soil contains other gemstones, including amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, and various types of quartz—each of which visitors can keep.

The largest diamond ever discovered in the United States, the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam diamond, was found at this site in 1924 before it became a state park. More recently, in September 2021, Noreen Wredberg, a visitor from California, discovered a 4.38-carat yellow diamond after just two hours of searching. Another visitor, Julien Navas, found a 7.46-carat diamond in 2024.

In 2017, the park attracted over 180,000 visitors, contributing to the discovery of 450 certified diamonds in various colors. Among these finds, 299 were white, 72 were brown, and 74 were yellow. Park staff reported that visitors typically unearth one or two diamonds each day, emphasizing the need to “keep your expectations in check.”

Affordability and Family Fun

The park is accessible to families and individuals alike. Admission is set at $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 6 to 12. Overnight camping is also available, allowing visitors to return to the fields at dawn. During the summer months, the park features a small water park, providing relief from the intense heat, which can exceed 110° Fahrenheit.

Weather conditions can impact the diamond hunting experience. Rain can make the field muddy, a scenario that seasoned searchers often prefer, as it helps in spotting diamonds more easily. Nonetheless, as Mays observed, “Most visitors leave with a handful of interesting rocks, some newfound knowledge, and an urgent need for a long shower.”

For those who do not find a diamond, the experience remains worthwhile. The park offers free identification services for visitors’ finds, helping them determine whether they have discovered quartz or a more valuable gemstone. For the adventurous, there are options to even purchase a diamond-making machine, available online for around $200,000.

Crater of Diamonds State Park continues to attract gem enthusiasts from all walks of life, combining the thrill of discovery with an affordable family outing. As the only publicly accessible diamond mine in the world, it stands as a testament to both natural history and the enduring allure of treasure hunting.