Diamond and gem lovers will see a gleam in their eyes at Crater of Diamonds State Park. You can search for diamonds in an old volcanic crater on an approximately 37-hectare field.
Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is open to the public. You can dig for diamonds for a small fee. Visitors may keep any stones they find, regardless of their type, weight or value. On average, two diamonds are found a day in Crater of Diamonds State Park.
It’s the only place in North America where anyone can dig for diamonds. The large areas in the crater are regularly plowed up to bring the gemstones from deeper layers to the surface. Diamonds found at Diamonds State Park in Arkansas can be white, brown, and yellow.
In addition to diamonds, you can also find gemstones such as amethyst, jasper, agate, quartz, calcite and barite. There are tips for finding diamonds here.
According to Ehuacom, Crater of Diamonds State Park is the eighth largest diamond mine in the world. It is located in Pike County, Arkansas, near the city of Murfreesboro. Crater of Diamonds State Park is a popular visitor destination in Arkansas for its large area along the shores of the Little Missouri and its interesting geology, history, flora and fauna.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park area is protected as a natural landmark by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
History of Crater of Diamonds State Park
The first diamond was found by John Huddleston in 1906. Huddleston attempted commercial diamond mining but failed.
Shortly thereafter, a “diamond rush” began, through which the city of Murfreesboro became very well known. Shelters in Murfreesboro were not sufficient, so tents were set up next to the mine. The small tent city was nicknamed the Kimberley after the famous Kimberley diamond mine in South Africa, The Big Hole.
In 1924, the diamond Uncle Sam was found in Crater of Diamonds State Park (then Prairie Creek Mine). Uncle Sam is the largest diamond ever found in the United States. When the diamond Uncle Sam was found, in the rough, it weighed 40.23 carats (8.046 g). After the diamond Uncle Sam was finished, it was 12.42 carats (2.484 g).
For a time, the Uncle Sam Diamond was loaned to the American Museum of Natural History in New York, before going to an anonymous private collector in 1971.
From 1952 to 1972 the crater was used as a privately run tourist attraction. It was marketed as the Arkansas Diamond Mine.
In 1972, the state of Arkansas acquired Diamond Crater and made it a state park. Since then, over 25,000 diamonds have been found at Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Because diamonds were so easily found in Arkansas, the diamond shape of a cut diamond was incorporated into the design of the Arkansas flag in 1912. A diamond is also featured on the Arkansas State Quarter coin, released in 2003.
Notable diamond discoveries at Crater of Diamonds State Park:
1924 Uncle Sam at 40.23 carats
1956 Star of Arkansas at 15.33 carats
1975 Amarillo Starlight at 16.37 carats
1981 Star of Shreveport at 8.82 carats
1997 Cooper Diamonds at 6.72 carats & 6.0
1998 Dickinson-Stevens Diamond 7.28 carat
1998 Strawn-Wagner Diamond 1.09 carat the “one-in-a-billion diamond”
Visitor Center & Discovery Center at Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park has a visitor center where you can learn about the area and the geology of the park. If you would like to dig for gems yourself, you can borrow the necessary digging equipment from the Discovery Center. You will also find information about diamonds and precious stones here. You can also take part in one of the programs offered on topics such as geology, diamond prospecting methods, nature and history.
If you have found precious stones or even diamonds, then have them analyzed at the Discovery Center.
Activities at Crater of Diamonds State Park
There are many hiking opportunities in Crater of Diamonds Park, including the River Trail (1.2 miles) through the woods and along the Little Missouri River. A portion of the route, approximately 0.6 miles, is paved making it wheelchair accessible.
The Prospector Trail (1.2 miles) offers a beautiful view of Crater State Park. You can also see animals such as deer, squirrels, birds and other wildlife.
Many visitors also fish for trout, catfish and bream in the Little Missouri River.
The Diamant Springs Water Park provides a cool down.
Diamond Springs Water Park in Crater of Diamonds State Park
Located in Crater of Diamonds State Park, Diamond Springs Water Park is a 14,700-square-foot aquatic playground featuring a large splash pool with spray equipment, water slides and waterfalls.
Campgrounds in Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park has approximately 47 shaded campgrounds with water, electricity, and sewerage. The campsites are allocated at the Visitor Center and can also be reserved there in advance.
Opening times & admission to Crater of Diamonds State Park
The park is open year-round, with the exception of days such as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas, and New Years that Diamond Park is closed. Depending on the season, the opening hours change.
Diamond Springs Water Park is also open daily and costs $6 for adults. Children under 2 years old are admitted free.
Directions & Getting to Diamonds State Park
Two miles southeast of Murfreesboro on Highway 301 is Crater of Diamonds State Park. From Murfreesboro (North Washington Avenue) go two miles southeast on the Ark. 301 and get to Crater Park.
Address to the Crater of Diamonds State Park attraction
Crater of Diamonds State Park
209 State Park Road
Murfreesboro, AR 71958
www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com
