Crater of Diamonds State Park: 7 Tips

Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is one of the few places in the world where the public can dig for diamonds. And, at this one-of-a-kind state park, you can keep what you find!

Crater of Diamonds State Park is located near the town of Murfreesboro, Arkansas. It is approximately a 2 hour drive southwest of Little Rock.

What to Expect

Guests enter Crater of Diamonds State Park through the Information Center. This is where visitors must pay the entrance fee: $10 for adults, $6 for children (6-12), and children under 6 are free.

The Information Center includes an exhibit area with information about the history and geology of the park. A gift shop and restrooms are also available.

A sidewalk leads from the Information Center to the Diamond Discovery Center. Guests can view a short video on how to search for diamonds. Tool rental and stone identification are also available at the Discovery Center.

The diamond search area at Crater of Diamonds is a 37 acre plowed field. There are two pavilions with wash stations for wet sifting. Visitors can search for diamonds anywhere in the field.

Crater of Diamonds: 7 Tips

As you plan for your treasure hunting adventure, consider these 7 tips:

1. Consider the Weather

The weather not only dictates what you wear but also influences how you search for diamonds. Two main methods are wet sifting and dry sifting. If the ground is wet, you won’t be able to use the easier dry sifting method. It is also important to keep in mind that he mine is a large open field with no natural shade, and it can get quite hot. So, plan accordingly! Visitors are allowed to bring a temporary canopy or shelter. Check out the parks FAQs for more information.

2. Bring Tools/Buckets

While you might get lucky and find a diamond on the surface, you’ll probably want dig in the dirt. Buckets, shovels, carts, sifting screens and a variety of other tools can be rented on site. Or, you can bring your own tools from home. We brought a few small hand tools and a bucket. If you have a garden/utility cart with sturdy wheels like this, I’d recommend bringing it.

3. Pack a Picnic

Crater of Diamonds State Park is about 2 miles south of Murfreesboro, AR. And, while you could drive to town for lunch, it would be a hassle. So, bring a picnic. There are picnic tables at the Diamond Discovery Center and on the field. Alternatively, in summer, the park’s restaurant is available.

4. Prepare to Get Wet and Dirty

Whether you are wet sifting or dry sifting, plan on getting really dirty and possibly wet. Wet sifting involves sloshing your screen in water over and over again. So, you’ll probably get splashed. In other words, don’t wear your favorite shoes or clothing that is hard to clean!

5. Attend an Interpretive Program

Park interpreters offer demonstrations on diamond hunting techniques. There is also a video demonstrating both wet and dry sifting at the Diamond Discovery Center, but it is really helpful to see both methods up close and in person.

6. Bring Backup Clothes.

Digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park involves getting dirty. So, it is a good idea to have a change of clothes for the trip home.

7. Have Fun

Each year an average of 500-600 diamonds are found at Crater of Diamonds. Considering that the park hosts an around 200,000 visitors annually, most guests go home without a diamond. So, go with the right attitude and plan to have fun just digging in the dirt and finding some cool rocks.

Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park is a great state park for kids of all ages! While we didn’t find a diamond during our visit, guests can take a limited amount of gravel to finish sifting through at home. But, even if we don’t have a record setting rock in that bucket in our garage, it doesn’t matter. We had a blast!

Check out more information about destinations in Arkansas.