You Can Dig for Diamonds at This Arkansas State Park

Situated round two hours southwest of Little Rock, Arkansas, is arguably probably the most distinctive state park within the U.S.—Crater of Diamonds State Park. This 911-acre park attracts guests from all throughout the Pure State, and past. Why, you could ask? Due to what lies beneath the soil. 

Crater of Diamonds is situated on a former volcanic crater, and in 1906, an area farmer named John Huddleston discovered diamonds right here. Since then, over 35,000 diamonds have been unearthed from the mineral-rich soil, the biggest diamond ever found in the US, the 40-carat “Uncle Sam.” In 1972, the property turned a state park, and now, guests can strive their luck and dig for diamonds within the park’s 37-acre subject. Any gems, rocks, or minerals that you just discover—diamonds, or in any other case—are yours to maintain.

The park primarily has three forms of diamonds: white, yellow, and brown. You possibly can view the diamond hunters’ “Corridor of Fame,” on the park’s Diamond Discovery Heart, which showcases probably the most spectacular gems unearthed on the park. As lately as Might 2025, a customer to the park from Minnesota discovered a 3.81-carat brown diamond, the biggest discovered up to now this yr. Nonetheless, there are different stones and gems that may be discovered on-site, together with quartz, agate, garnet, and jasper.

For those who’re seeking to discover a treasure for your self, one of the best time to go is after rain, says park superintendent Waymon Cox.

“Lots of the park’s largest diamonds are discovered on high of the bottom,” Cox says. “As rain falls within the search space, it washes away the dust and uncovers heavy rocks, minerals, and diamonds close to the floor.” 

Admission for diamond searching is $15 for adults and $7 for kids. Aspiring rock hunters can carry their very own instruments or hire gear from the park. Crater of Diamonds has issues like shovels, screens, wagons, sarucas (a bowl-shaped display lined with a effective mesh), and buckets available. Native shops on the town additionally promote gem-hunting gear comparable to Lovejoy Diamond Screens and Murfreesboro {Hardware}. For those who do discover one thing, you will get it licensed by the park rangers. Nonetheless, Cox recommends not getting too caught up within the quest to seek out diamonds—there’s a lot to understand on the park.

“Although most visitors don’t discover a diamond on their first go to, there are many different distinctive and exquisite rocks and minerals to gather,” says Cox. 

For those who’re not taken with diamond digging, Crater of Diamonds additionally has a seasonal water park, miles of mountain climbing trails, and, due to its location, prime stargazing unaffected by metropolis lights. You possibly can spend the evening (particularly for those who plan on spending a number of days mining) on the shaded campground. It has 47 websites with full hookups for RVs and tents, plus 5 extra fundamental tent websites, all with entry to the 2 bathhouses.

No matter type of journey you are hoping to have at Crater of Diamonds State Park, you are certain to have a gem of a time.