Welcome to Crater of Diamonds! Sift through volcanic soil in search of glittering treasure, feel the thrill of discovery with every scoop of gravel, and wash dirt from your hands as park rangers weigh your findings — Crater of Diamonds is the only public diamond mine in the world where you can keep what you find.
☑️ Crater Checklist
- Book your Flight: Fly into Little Rock (LIT), about 90 minutes from Murfreesboro
- Reserve your Hotel: Stay in Murfreesboro or nearby cabin lodges for early-morning mine access
- Join your Tour: Book a diamond hunting orientation or gem identification session with park staff
💎 Day 1: Diamond Discovery
- Visitor Center: Get the lay of the land with sparkling real-life diamond displays and tools of the trade
- Diamond Search Area: Step into a 37-acre plowed field of volcanic soil, grab a screen and shovel, and start hunting for your very own gemstone
- Wet Sifting Station: Slosh your gravel through running water as glints of quartz and jasper swirl in the pan — patience rewarded with sparkle
- Field Lunch Break: Snack under the shade trees with muddy boots and dirt-caked hands — a prospector’s rite of passage
- Diamond Finders Wall: Read the chalkboard list of today’s real finds — weights, colors, and proud digger names included
- Gem Identification Lab: Show your haul to a park expert and hear tales of past million-dollar finds found just steps away
- Evening Walk at Lake Greeson: Watch the sky shift peach and lavender while boats glide by and cicadas warm up for the night
🛶 Day 2: Arkansas Adventures
- Little Missouri River Float: Paddle past tree-lined banks and smooth boulders on gentle currents that sparkle in the sun
- Narrows Dam Overlook: Stand above the churning dam and feel mist on your face as white water roars below
- Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village: Wander reconstructed mounds and try your hand at arrowhead hunting in soil rich with ancient stories
- Historic Downtown Murfreesboro: Walk shaded sidewalks past 1950s storefronts, old-time diners, and porch-front general stores
- Local History Museum: Step inside a pocket-sized museum filled with Civil War relics, mining maps, and antique washing machines
- Crater Rock Trail: Take a slow walk through pine-scented forest with scattered quartz glittering along the path
- Sunset at Parker Creek Recreation Area: Wade ankle-deep where the lake meets sand, and watch the light burn low over the Ouachita foothills
⛏️ Day 3: Hidden Gems
- Morning Back in the Field: Give it one more go — many diamonds are found early, after rainfall reveals hidden sparkle
- Wash Station Rinse: Sort your finds at a shaded station and spot the telltale glassy gleam under the sieve
- Picnic at Prospector Pavilion: Swap stories with fellow treasure hunters over BBQ sandwiches and cold lemonade
- Diamond Springs Water Park: Cool off with waterslides and splash pads right beside the mine — muddy toes welcome
- Souvenir Shopping: Pick up glinting crystal clusters, miner’s hats, polished agates, or “I Found Mine at Crater” t-shirts
- Evening at Hawkins General Store: Order scoops of old-school ice cream and browse jars of rock candy, gemstone keychains, and hand-carved soapstone trinkets
- Farewell Dinner at a Local Grill: Bite into crispy catfish, fried okra, and fresh cornbread — the kind of meal that sticks with you longer than the red dust on your boots
📅 Crater Calendar
- Spring Dig Days (March): Freshly plowed fields ready for post-rain discoveries
- Crater Easter Egg Hunt (March/April): Thousands of prize-filled eggs scattered across the park, with gemstone giveaways
- Annual Prospector’s Day (April): Celebrate Arkansas’s mining legacy with demos, talks, and stories from seasoned diggers
- Spring River Cleanup Paddle (May): Help preserve the Little Missouri while paddling a scenic float route
- Arkansas Heritage Month (May): Cultural displays, crafts, and old-time music at the park
- Fourth of July Fireworks at Lake Greeson (July 4): Watch bursts of red, white, and blue reflected across the lake
- Arkansas Diamond Hunt Challenge (August): Timed field dig with prizes for largest and most unusual finds
- Fall Gem & Mineral Show (October): Browse tables stacked with opals, fossils, and local finds from seasoned rockhounds
- Crater Christmas Light Trail (December): Walk a lit-up path through the park with cocoa in hand and glittering displays all around
💡 Crater Tips
- Bring the Right Tools: Rent or bring buckets, screens, and shovels — pros use flat-nose garden trowels and knee pads
- Start Early: The field opens at 8 a.m., and seasoned diggers are out with headlamps by dawn
- Dress for Mud: Expect to get dirty — water shoes, old clothes, and gloves will serve you well
- Stay Hydrated: Summer heat hits hard — pack a cooler and drink water all day
- Mark Your Spot: Some visitors return for hours — use flags or stones to remember where you were digging
- Ask Park Rangers: They’ll give you pointers on where diamonds have been found recently and how to spot a real one
- Wash Later if You Want: Many keep their gravel and wet-sift at home — it’s legal and sometimes luck strikes twice
🥘 Crater Menu
- Fried Catfish Platter: Golden, cornmeal-crusted fillets served hot with hushpuppies and coleslaw
- Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich: Tender meat piled high on soft buns with pickles and a tangy sauce drizzle
- Frito Pie: A paper boat of corn chips smothered in chili, cheese, onions, and hot sauce
- Chicken Fried Steak: Crispy beef cutlet under creamy white gravy, with mashed potatoes on the side
- Diamond-Shaped Sugar Cookies: Sold in town shops, glazed and sparkling with sugar
- Fried Green Tomatoes: Slices battered and crisped until golden, served with creamy dipping sauce
- Sweet Tea: Iced, sugary, and strong — locals carry it in coolers and cups all day long