How to find diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds
It’s not just diamonds that are found here; you may also dig up gems like amethyst, agate, garnet, peridot, jasper, and quartz as well as other lesser-known rock or mineral types. The area to check for diamonds is a 37-acre field that was once a volcanic crater. It costs $13 for an adult and $6 for a child to enter the diamond fields, or for avid diamond miners, a pass that covers 20 visits is $220. It is possible to bring your own hand tools which are also available to rent from the park, such as shovels and sifting trays. The park plows the field regularly to bring new soil to the top for prospectors to search.
Visitors to the park have different strategies for finding diamonds, but it certainly requires patience and a good eye. There are some prospectors who look for diamonds after it has rained to find the glint of a freshly cleaned stone, while others are more meticulous and scan inch by inch. Park staff and people you see with personal equipment may be able to give you some tips for discovering your own haul!
Other things to do at the Crater of Diamonds State Park
If you’re really serious about diamond hunting, you can camp overnight in the park and start your search early in the morning. There are campsites with water and electricity hookups for RVs as well as spaces to pitch tents. For those who want to know even more about finding gems, there are mining demonstrations and educational tours that will tell you everything you need to know about these precious stones.
There are three trails in the park where you can see more of the geology, history, and wildlife in the area, as well as excavations from the diamond mining industry. They are the Little Missouri Trail, the Prospector Trail (which includes the fields), and the wildlife observation blind trail. There are also opportunities to go fishing in the park as well as photographing wildlife like squirrels, birds, and deer. If you’re spending time in Arkansas, there is much to do in this underrated region, like the scenic Ozark road trip or the state’s most-visited attraction – the Hot Springs National Park. There’s always the possibility that if you find a big enough diamond you could extend your vacation!
