Crater of Diamonds State Park: A Visitor’s Guide
Crater of Diamonds State Park is in southwestern Arkansas near the small town of Murfreesboro. The park is a one-of-a-kind destination where you can dig for real diamonds and keep whatever you find.
It is the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public. Whether you’re a seasoned rockhound or just looking for a unique day trip, Craters of Diamonds State Park will not disappoint.
History of Crater of Diamonds
Crater of Diamonds has a rich geological and historical background. Diamonds were first discovered in the area in 1906 by John Huddleston, a local farmer. Over the years, the land changed hands multiple times before becoming a state park in 1972. Since then, visitors from around the world have searched for diamonds in the park’s 37.5-acre plowed field, which sits atop an ancient volcanic crater.
What to Expect When You Visit
My wife and I pulled into the park midweek on an early spring morning. The park had only been open for about an hour. To my complete surprise, the large parking lot was already more than halfway full, with dozens of people marching towards the visitor center.
Digging for Treasure at Crater of Diamonds State Park
To get to the field you have to pay an entrance fee, regardless of whether you intend to look for diamonds or not. The park’s diamond field is located a short walk behind the visitor center. After paying the fee, we walked towards the field. The field looked very much like a freshly plowed farmers field ready to plant crops. It had poured rain the night prior, so it was very wet and muddy. There were hundreds of people digging across the large field. There were a couple of large makeshift tents set up that had water so people could rinse away dirt as they looked for treasure.
You can bring their own tools, such as shovels, buckets, and screens, or rent equipment from the park’s Diamond Discovery Center. You can search by surface collecting, sifting dirt through screens, or digging deeper into the soil. I did not rent or bring any equipment, we mainly wanted to just check it out. That said we certainly scoured the surface, hoping to get lucky. Needless to say we did not.
The field is an open search area where you can sift through soil for gemstones. Diamonds found at the park come in a variety of colors, including white, brown, and yellow. Other minerals like amethyst, jasper, garnet, and quartz can also be discovered.
Notable Diamond Discoveries
Over the years, tens of thousands of diamonds have been found at the park. Some of the most famous finds include, the Uncle Sam Diamond which was discovered in 1924. It’s the largest diamond ever found in the U.S., weighing just over 40 carats.
The Amarillo Starlight diamond was found by a visitor in 1975. It weight more than 15 carats.
The Strawn-Wagner Diamond was found by a local woman from Murfreesboro in 1990. The about 3 carat gem was not the biggest ever found, but it was arguably the nicest. The Strawn-Wagner Diamond would be cut into a flawless 1 carat diamond. It is the most perfect diamond the American Gem Society (AGS) ever certified in its laboratory.
It received a perfect grade of O/O/O (Ideal cut/color/flawless), or “Triple Zero,” it is the highest grade a diamond can achieve. The diamond is so perfect it’s considered a one in a billion and is so rare that most jewelers and gemologists never see one during their career.
The Strawn-Wagner Diamond is on display in the Crater of Diamonds State Park visitor center.
How to Identify a Diamond
Are you feeling lucky yet? Finding a diamond takes patience and a bit of luck. Unlike other stones, diamonds found at Crater of Diamonds often have a smooth, rounded shape and a metallic or glassy shine. To put it simply, it’s tough and hard work. However, park staff are available to help identify any finds at the Diamond Discovery Center.
The Best Times to Visit Crater of Diamonds State Park
The park is open year-round, but spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for digging. Rainy days can also be ideal because rain washes away dirt, making diamonds easier to spot on the surface.
The park is an easy drive from Little Rock and makes a great weekend trip from Dallas or Oklahoma City.
Other Activities at the Park
Beyond diamond hunting, the park offers several other attractions:
Visitor Center: Learn about the park’s geology and history through interactive exhibits.
Walking Trails: Enjoy nature on scenic trails around the park.
Camping & Picnic Areas: The park has a campground with tent and RV sites, as well as picnic spots for day visitors. The camping sites can be reserved in advance, and should be. We drove through the campground, and every site was full.
Why visit Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park is a unique destination that combines outdoor adventure with the excitement of treasure hunting. Whether you find a diamond or not, the experience of searching for one is rewarding and fun for all ages. So grab your gear, head to the Natural State, and see if you can strike it lucky!
