The Happiness Function

If you have ever wanted to find a natural diamond in the rough, this guide is for you.

My husband and I kept hearing that there was a state park in Arkansas where you could mine for diamonds and that if you found a diamond, you could keep it. So, we road-tripped our curious selves to Crater of Diamonds State Park.

It’s the only public diamond mine in the world, and the diamond-rich soil of Pike County is why Arkansas is called the “Diamond State.”

How To Get Here

Crater of Diamonds State Park is just outside Murfreesboro, Arkansas, about an hour southwest of Hot Springs National Park.

Why Are Diamonds Here?

The area was once an active volcano with lava flows that brought diamonds to the surface.

The park is one of the 8th largest diamond mines in the world, and more than 33,000 diamonds have been found here since becoming a state park in 1972.

Things To Do

Mining for diamonds is the top attraction. There is a Diamond Discovery Center where you can learn more about geology and mineralogy. There are also a few short hiking trails and a campground.

Camping

The park has a great campground, with most spots in the shade. We stayed two nights here and loved it.

The campground has 47 class AAA campsites (with water/sewer/electric hookups) for RVs. There are also walk-in tent sites. It has a bathhouse with hot water, showers, and flushing toilets.

The campground is perfect because it is within walking distance of the excavation area.

There are camping fees. Visit the park’s website to book your campsite.

Also, we brought all of our food to cook at camp.

Best Time To Visit

The park staff and some locals who frequent regularly told us that the best time to visit Crater of Diamonds is after a rainstorm or when the fields are plowed. This is because the plow roughs up the dirt, which helps to expose diamonds beneath the surface. After it rains, a similar thing happens, and larger gems are more likely to come to the surface. 

You can find diamonds just by walking around and looking at the surface — no digging is required — how cool is that?!

Tips for Planning Your Trip

You want to dress to get dirty. The park can be dry, hot, and dusty, so wear comfortable clothes and close-toed shoes. You might also want sunscreen, a hat, gloves, snacks, and water. There is very little shade once you get on the fields.

Mining equipment is available to rent. After paying to enter, head along the sidewalk to the lower level of the visitor center. You can rent a shovel, bucket, wagon, and mining screen for the day.

Only hand tools are permitted if you bring your own gear.

How to Mine for Diamonds and Gemstones

There are three main ways to mine: walking the surface, dry surface sifting, and wet sifting. You can learn how to do each technique by watching a short video at the visitor center.

We’re so glad we took the time to watch the video — it was fun to learn more before we got out into the field mining for the first time.

Pablo and I spent hours in the fields searching for diamonds. We walked all over the park’s 37.5 acres, looking for sparkling things. I enjoyed surface mining and dry shifting, and Pablo was all about wet shifting.

When renting equipment from the park, they give you a small brown paper bag to put your potential gems in. After you’re done mining for the day, take your findings to the on-site gemologist to be inspected at the Diamond Discovery Center. Even if you don’t find a diamond, a gemologist will teach you about the rocks, gems, and minerals you found, which is a neat experience.

If a diamond isn’t found, it is possible to find amethyst, garnet, jasper, quartz, or other semi-precious stones.

Mining Hours and Admission

The diamond mine is open year-round from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Mining tickets can be purchased at the visitor center.

Costs are as follows:

• Adults $15 per person per day

• Children ages 6-12 $7

• Children under 6 are free

Dog Policy

Yes, leashed dogs are allowed at the park and within the mining field. But honestly, there isn’t much shade here, so you will probably have more fun leaving your dog at home or in the camper for a few with the AC on.

Good Luck

Anything miners find at the diamond mine is yours to keep. People constantly find diamonds, so don’t think it can’t happen to you!

The largest diamond ever discovered here weighed 40.23 carats and was named “Uncle Sam.” Uncle Sam is the largest diamond ever unearthed in the U.S. Someone had one lucky day.

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