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Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro, AR

Photo: Doug Wertman from Rogers, AR, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sport & OutdoorQuirky FunFamily FavoriteOutdoor Adventure

Crater of Diamonds State Park

209 State Park Rd · Murfreesboro, AR

Why you should go…

Crater of Diamonds lets you search a 37.5-acre plowed field, the eroded surface of a volcanic crater, for diamonds and other gemstones, and you keep what you find. More than 37,000 diamonds have turned up since the site became a state park in 1972. The 40.23-carat Uncle Sam, the largest diamond ever unearthed in the U.S., was found here in 1924. In summer the park also runs Diamond Springs Water Park.

  • #diamond mining
  • #state park
  • #gem hunting
  • #family activity

Good to know

General sport & outdoor guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Weather calls the shots

    Check the forecast the morning of and keep an indoor backup in your pocket for the day it turns.

  • Shoes, water, sun cover

    The three things that decide whether you last the whole outing or cut it short after an hour.

  • Parking and launches fill early

    On a nice weekend, lots and trailheads are often full by mid-morning.

  • Daylight shrinks in shoulder season

    Spring and fall visits need an earlier start than the same trip in July.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Crater of Diamonds State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Murfreesboro

    Free

    Small Pike County town and gateway to Crater of Diamonds State Park, promoted by its local tourism commission.

    2.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    History Buff

    Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village

    Under $25

    Self-guided tour of an excavated Caddo Indian mound site with a museum and arrowhead hunting field.

    3.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Mountain Harbor Riding Stables

    $25–$50

    Guided horseback trail rides through the Ouachita Mountains along the shore of Lake Ouachita.

    36 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines

    $25–$50

    Working quartz mine near Mount Ida offering guided digs, including the world-famous Phantom Mine for phantom quartz.

    36 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Avant Mining Fisher Mountain

    $25–$50

    Public quartz crystal dig site on historic Fisher Mountain, one of Arkansas's oldest rockhounding spots.

    36 mi awayMore like this

  • Stay
    Family Favorite

    Sunbay Resort

    $50+

    Lakefront hotel and condo resort on Lake Hamilton with two pools, a sports bar and dockside boat-tour departures.

    44 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay