Dig for Real Diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State

One of the nicest things to do in Arkansas is to visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park. This is one of the few spots in the world where the general public can look for diamonds and take them home with them. The 37-acre park is the only place in the world where visitors can dig for diamonds in their natural volcanic environment. The finding is attributed to farmer John Wesley, who discovered a gleaming pebble on his property. The discovery encouraged numerous people and businesses to relocate to Arkansas in order to extract the valuable mineral. Murfreesboro, Arkansas, was one of the country's poorest areas at the time, but the discovery of diamonds propelled it into the spotlight.

Tourists continue to visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park in the hopes of changing their fortunes overnight. Since the Crater was designated a state park in 1972, visitors have discovered over 33,100 diamonds. The largest diamond ever discovered was a 40-carat diamond discovered in 1924, while the most recent was a 3.9-carat diamond discovered in 2007.

Before hiring equipment and digging for diamonds and other gemstones, visit the Diamond Discovery Center to learn about the science of the area. While over 33,000 diamonds have been discovered in the region since it was designated a state park, you are unlikely to strike it rich here. The majority of diamonds discovered are approximately the size of a matchstick head. When you've finished looking, take your treasures to be weighed and registered. Adults pay $10 to dig, while children ages 6 to 12 pay $8. You can bring your own digging tools or hire them from the park. There are also camping spots and a large water park for youngsters to swim in if you plan to stay overnight.

Address: 209 State Park Rd, Murfreesboro, AR 71958, United States
Phone: +1 870-285-3113
Opening hours: 8AM–5PM
Rating: 4.4/5.0, 5,046 Google reviews
Website: https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park