Feeling Lucky? This Arkansas State Park Lets You Take Home Any Diamonds You Might Find
At Crater of Diamonds State Park, you may just be rewarded with its glittering geological namesake.
Waiting for the doors to open at Crater of Diamonds State Park’s visitor center feels like a version of a gold rush—well, a modern one. My husband and I purchase our tickets and head outside to rent equipment: a folding shovel, sifting screens, and buckets. Just beyond that, a 37-acre dirt plot awaits, pre-plowed and harboring a field of diamonds.
At first glance, the spacious field feels overwhelming as we walk out onto it, buckets and sifting screens in hand. As my husband scoops up some dirt into our bucket, I wonder aloud, “Are we digging in the right spot?” Peering at the dips and grooves in the ground, nothing’s obviously sparkling, but many of the diamonds found daily in the Crater of Diamonds State Park are a scant one to six points (a carat is one-hundred points).
Like everyone else, we’ve come to the park seeking our own glittering piece of Arkansas history—a diamond to take home. More than 35,000 diamonds have been discovered since the park opened in 1972, and park-goers get to keep whatever they find. Today, the mine resembles its origins as a farm more than a former commercial mining enterprise, as the search site consists of a plowed dirt field.
While the state park lives up to its shiny name, Murfreesboro, Arkansas provides plenty of recreational happenings: hikes, bike trails, a water park (because why not?), camping, shopping the town square, and much more. But let’s be real, you’re here for the diamonds.
How to Mine for Gems at Crater of Diamonds State Park
We’re both a little bit giddy and impatient, with the promise of buried treasure in our minds. Some of the best gemstone hunting can be found in loose gravel where the water drains off the field, so we head toward the edge of the field. Comfortable clothing and shoes that can get muddy are a must.
As soon as our bucket fills up, we’re off to the fun part: washing our gravel to see if we found anything sparkly. When a flash of vivid blue shows up in one of our first pans, my heart pounds a little faster, but it turns out to be a blue plastic bead, probably leftover from a long-forgotten broken bracelet. Craning my neck, I study the stones left in my sifting pan after I’ve washed away the dirt. At first, I only see shades of gray, the many pieces of tiny gravel left behind in the park by mining operations. But then I pull out a tiny green stone and bring it to the staff: have I found something? It’s the perennial question in the park.
The park staff, always ready to identify any finds, inform me that it’s leftover volcanic ash. I’m disappointed, but it makes sense. The gemstone discoveries are all thanks to a natural geological event that deposited diamonds in the city that eventually became Murfreesboro millions of years ago—between 254 and 120 million years ago to be a little more exact. The separation of the North American and South American Continental Plates triggered volcanic activity, causing diamonds that were formed deep in the Earth’s upper mantle to blast into the air along with volcanic ash. A 600-foot crater then filled with diamonds and ash.
After local farmers began discovering diamonds in their fields, Murfreesboro flooded with gem hunters hoping to strike it rich. Mining companies formed, quickly exhausting the resources and making the enterprise no longer commercially viable, so the land eventually became a state park.
Today, visitors can try their hand at unearthing hidden gems, which endures as this state park’s main draw. Occasionally, lucky park-goers find their own big sparkler, such as a French tourist who unearthed a 7.46 carat brown diamond earlier this year.
If you don’t want to dig, you can still look for diamonds. Some of the biggest finds have come from surface hunting: walking and picking up any stones that look unusual and out of place. Although my group didn’t luck out, we left with a bucket of washed gravel to sift through more carefully at home as it’s easier to spot diamonds once the gravel has dried. Each visitor can take home up to a five-gallon bucket of washed gravel from their visit, allowing the treasure hunt to continue for days to come.
Hiking and Water Activities at Crater of Diamonds State Park
All three trails in Crater of Diamonds are rated easy, and the first half of the 1.2 mile Little Missouri River Trail is paved for accessibility. Surrounded by a mature lowland pine-oak forest, the trail loops around the river, providing great views of the water. Another option is an easy 0.2 mile stroll down the gravel Wildlife Blind Observation Trail. At the end of the trail, a wooden blind looks out over a small valley with several viewing angles. It’s the perfect place for an amateur wildlife photographer to set up, and visitors report frequently seeing deer, armadillos, rabbits and birds. The 1.2 mile Prospector Trail requires a ticket to the mining area to access, but takes you along picturesque rock outcroppings.
If you visit during the summer months, you can cool off at the Diamond Springs Water Park, which features a splash pad that transitions into a mining-themed wading pool.
More Things to Do in Murfreesboro
Metal awnings shade timeworn brick facades in Murfreesboro’s city square, the kind of place where an old-fashioned soda fountain serves up Blue Bell ice cream. Don’t miss Hawkins Variety Store, a local staple since 1943, where picturesque midday milkshakes are a must. Just a few steps away, discover authentic Mexican pottery at Ceramics by Telingas, while at Caddo Antiques, Gifts and More and The Old Store, it’s possible to find everything from traditional souvenirs to candles crafted by Arkansas artisans to gourmet chocolate.
A few blocks away, The Dino Dig provides a temperature-controlled spot for kids to dig for polished rocks and take selfies with life-size dinosaurs and dinosaur bones (the plastic variety).
Where to Stay near Crater of Diamonds State Park
Tent and RV camping spots are available at the park, but it’s best to book ahead, as they fill up quickly on popular weekends. Outside the park, the best place to stay is the Queen of the Diamonds Inn, which has a Victorian feel to the main office, where a continental breakfast is served. The rooms are simple but clean, equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, and TV. Families will appreciate the on-site pool and mini golf, and on pleasant days, it's an easy stroll to the city square.
If you prefer a more kitschy cabin feel, Diamonds Old West brings the feel of an old West town to life. The cabin themes include the bank, jail, blacksmith and more. Each cabin has its own grill, fire pit and picnic area, and there’s a pirate ship-themed playground and a pedal car track for the kids.
Where to eat near Crater of Diamonds State Park
The best place to head for breakfast is Terri’s Place, which serves up traditional diner favorites such as omelets and biscuits and gravy. Lunch can be purchased from a food truck in the park, but it’s also only a five-minute drive back to town, where the Feed Bin Cafe specializes in Southern cooking, such as shrimp ‘n’ cheese grits or the crab cake po-boy. In the evening, head to Telinga’s Mexican Restaurant, which serves traditional Tex-Mex dishes complimented by refreshing flavored waters in a family atmosphere. Note: Pike County is a dry county, so no alcoholic beverages are available in any of the restaurants.