In this article:
- Searching for gemstones at Arkansas mining areas
- Safety tips and what to pack
- Why I love this part of the state
- The best times of the year to visit
- And what to expect at these top four mines open to the public:
- Crater of Diamonds State Park
- Ron Coleman Mining
- Avant Mining at Fisher Mountain
- Avatar Crystal Mine
Thinking ahead about an out-of-the-ordinary road trip with the kids, and one that’ll encourage them to get outside? If you really want to get your hands dirty—and possibly find some treasure too—then pack up for a family vacation to Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains, where several mining destinations offer year-round adventure.
At these mining destinations, open to the public generally all year (unless on extreme weather days), you can dig for gemstones like diamonds, quartz or crystals. Arkansas is one of the only places in the United States where families can legally dig for real diamonds and keep what they find.
And people do find them. In 2017, a 14-year-old boy found a 7.44-carat diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park—and only after digging for 30 minutes, no less. And the Arkansas State Park has reported that, on average, park visitors uncover one to two diamonds each day.
RELATED: 5 State Parks to Visit Within 5 Hours of Dallas-Fort Worth
Find Your Own Crystals and Diamonds at Arkansas Mining Areas
These aren’t industrial mines either; they’re open fields, forested hillsides, and tailings piles where visitors can safely explore, dig and learn. Here we highlight five of the best kid-friendly dig spots worth traveling to in southern Arkansas, each with unique features that make them especially welcoming to families with young children.
Four of these are located in the Lake Ouachita area, making it a family-friendly home base for your crystal and diamond-hunting road trips. And several of these destinations are within a 3 to 5-hour drive from Dallas, making them ideal for a weekend getaway or school break adventure.
Safety Tips and What to Pack
But first, before heading out with your family to one of the top diamond and crystal digging destinations, you’ll want to check the following list of tips to make sure you’re prepared for comfort and safety.
- Bring a change of clothes, sunscreen, and plenty of water, regardless of the time of year.
- Most places allow you to bring your own tools (small shovels, buckets, sifters), but you’ll want to check each location before you go. Among the tools that come in handy are garden tools that are easy to carry and handle, such as spades and hand rake, long screw drivers, pry bars, rock hammers and shovels are also very useful.
- None of the locations included here allow any kind of power-driven or battery-operated tools, so leave those at home.
- Don’t forget buckets and bags for storing treasures and taking them home.
- Wet wipes and towels go a long way after a muddy dig, so pack plenty of these.
- Plan pitstops along the way to keep your toddlers and kids engaged and happy. State transportation department visitor centers at the borders are always wonderful resources with restrooms and in some cases, snack bars or vending machines.
Why I Love This Part of Arkansas
As a kid growing up in Northwest Arkansas, my family enjoyed getaways several times a year at Lake Ouachita, the largest and undoubtedly most beautiful and pristine lake in the state. There’s very little shoreline development, with no buildings allowed on its many islands and inlets around Lake Ouachita. My family would go out on the water during our lake visits, finding a different island with a natural lagoon on each outing.
RELATED: Traveling to Caddo Lake State Park With the Kids
Those were carefree days of my childhood that I remember fondly: summer days swimming and snorkeling in the clear, shallow water, and being pulled slowly on floaties behind the boat. And on autumn days, walks through the gently rolling hills of the forested islands, finding all sorts of natural “treasures” like pinecones, rocks and crystals. Lake Ouachita State Park is located in an area of the state near Hot Springs where crystals are plentiful.
And even if you don’t find any from your own digs, you can easily pick up a souvenir from many of the roadside mom-and-pop shops—their display tables sitting out front, covered with big clusters of crystals glistening in the sun. You’ll find many of these along Highway 270, starting around Y City all the way into Mount Ida, the town closest to Mountain Harbor, and along the 12-mile section of highway between this town and Hot Springs.
Best Times of the Year to Visit Arkansas’ Crystal & Diamond Mines
Trying to decide the best time for you to plan a rockhounding road trip to Arkansas with your children? See below under each of these four mining destination for more specifics on when to go for the best weather, fewer crowds, and the highest chances of striking treasure.
1) Crater of Diamonds State Park
The only public diamond mine in the U.S.—and by far the most kid-friendly
Location: 209 State Park Rd, Murfreesboro, Arkansas 71958, at about a 3.5-hour drive from Dallas, the closest of the mining/digging destinations to DFW
Cost: Entry fees to Crater of Diamonds State Park are affordable, and kids under 6 are free. Tool rentals available, if you need, but aren’t always necessary for finding diamonds but are certainly helpful. It’s always possible to find diamonds with the naked eye. Lodging nearby starts around $100 per night. Book early for weekends and holidays.
Why go? This is the ultimate destination for diamond digging with kids of all ages. The 37-acre plowed field (a volcanic crater’s eroded surface) and families can bring their own tools or rent them on-site. The Diamond Discovery Center offers hands-on exhibits and staff who help identify your finds.
Here’s what sets this park apart for families:
- Its shaded washing stations for cleaning your treasures
- A splash pad, perfect for toddlers and young children to cool off after a dig
- Stroller-friendly terrain and shaded picnic areas
- On-site campground and nearby hotels with baby gear available
Contact: 870/285-3113; craterofdiamonds@arkansas.gov
Website: arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park
Best Times to Visit Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds is open year-round but the best seasons for visits are during the:
- Spring months (March–May) feature frequent rains that help expose diamonds on the surface, and mild temps (50s–70s F) make for comfortable digging.
- Fall months (September–November) offer cooler, drier days and beautiful foliage, creating ideal conditions for long hours in the mining field.
RELATED: Texas State Parks Where You Can See Fall Colors
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
First-time guests to Crater of Diamonds State Park should prepare ahead as much as possible. The onsite visitor center offers informative resources to help you learn what uncut diamonds look. Many guests choose to surface-search for diamonds, much like looking on top of the ground for a dropped coin. Many of the largest diamonds ever found at the park have been found by surface searching.
You can also take sifted gravel home to search for diamonds later; each paid guest may take up to five gallons of sifted gravel home, per day. In fact, around half of all diamonds registered by park guests are discovered in gravel taken home! (Note: Leave the dirt at the park.)
On-site camping is available at 47 campsites (Class AAA) and five walk-in tent sites. Also enjoy walking trails, picnic sites, a gift shop, and Diamond Springs Water Park (open seasonally in hot weather).
Kid-Friendly Stop Nearby:
Less than two miles from Crater of Diamonds, you’ll find Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village (with a Dino Dig for preschoolers). A fun archeological experience for all ages, admission fees are reasonable with free admission for kids 0-5 years.
2) Ron Coleman Mining
Zipline over an active mine and dig for quartz crystals
Location: 211 Crystal Ridge Ln, Jessieville, Arkansas 71949, about a 5-hour drive from Dallas
Why go? This mine offers a full-day experience with crystal digging, guided mine tours, and the only zipline in the world that flies over an active quartz mine. The tailings area is stroller-accessible and shaded, and kids under 6 dig for free.
Other perks at Ron Coleman Mining are on-site RV parking and tiny cabins, a large gift shop offering kid-friendly souvenirs, and nearby attractions including Lake Ouachita State Park for swimming or picnics, and Hot Springs for shopping, sightseeing, and hotels.
Cost: Digging fees are per person; kids under 6 are free. Lodging fills quickly, so book as early as possible.
Contact: 501/984-5396
Website: roncolemanmining.com
Best Times to Visit Ron Coleman Mining
Open daily, year-round (8am–4:30pm) with the best seasons for visiting being spring and fall due to pleasant temperatures and less intense sun, making for ideal digging conditions. Other tips for visiting include:
- There are no seasonal closures, but weekdays are best for fresh tailings and fewer crowds.
- Summer months are popular but hot. Arrive early, wear sun protection, and bring water. Ziplining and shaded areas help beat the heat.
- If visiting during winter months, you’ll want to dress the in layers and check weather forecasts before making the drive.
3) Avant Mining at Fisher Mountain
Arkansas’ only gem-quality turquoise mine in the eastern half of the United States
Location: 11 Logan Gap Rd, Mount Ida, Arkansas 71957, about a 4.5-hour drive from Dallas
Why go? Avant’s public quartz crystal dig is located on the oldest public dig in state, dating back to 1946. Open six days a week, Avant Mining lets families drive directly to the dig site, a great perk for those with babies or toddlers who need breaks from the sun as you will have access to your vehicle the entire time you’re on-site.
Your digging party is also free to come and go; just make sure to retain your permit received at check-in. Enjoy the sprawling scenic views of the Ouachita Mountains and make sure to check out the educational displays in the museum and gift shop.
Cost: Kids under 7 dig free, with prices running from $10 for ages 7–17, $25 for adults, and $20 for seniors (60-plus). Private guided pocket digs are also available for booking with a local miner. Tool kits are available in the gift shop for $25. Nearby lodging includes cabins and motels with family-friendly amenities.
Contact: 870/985-9988; avantfishermountain@gmail.com
Website: avantfishermtn.com
Best Times to Visit Avant Mining
Open year-round, weather permitting, but the mine is closed Mondays for public digs. Spring and fall provide comfortable temperatures, and occasional rain helps expose quartz veins, making these months ideal for both public and private digs. Private digs require advance booking. Public digs are first-come, first-served.
Other tips to keep in mind:
- The mines are open in the winter unless roads are impassable due to snow or ice.
- Summer months are hot but manageable when taking breaks to spend time in the shade, stops to hydrate, and scheduling early starts.
4) Avatar Crystal Mine
A mine offering two sections for digging
Location: Forestry Road W37 off Owley Road, Mount Ida, Arkansas, a little over five hours from Dallas
Why go? Avatar Crystal Mine, formerly known as Arrowhead Crystal Mine, is a unique place to dig because you get to dig in the mine itself. They do not mine commercially so Avatar doesn’t produce tailings. The mine is split into two sections, Phantom Cove, the west dig pit, and Tabby Circle, the east dig area. Phantom Cove is terraced making easy access to quartz in the side walls. Tabby Circle is more primitive digging.
This “mom and pop” type operation is sometimes a bit late to open the gate, but they usually stay later than 4pm to allow plenty of time for digging. They provide clean Porta-Potties and pavilion with three picnic tables, all within walking distance of the mining and parking areas. Also, there is a Gift and Inspiration Shop in the shortie school bus, if anyone is interested in ideas about what to do with all the crystals you find.
Cost: Kids 12 and under are free with an adult; teens, $15; adults, $30; senior citizens (60+), $20; and active military/veterans, $20.
Hours: 9am–4pm Friday through Monday for most of the year, but 8am–2pm during the July and August to take advantage of cooler mornings. Check their Facebook page for updates about any weather-related changes to their schedule.
Contact: 850/227-4814; avatarcrystalmine@gmail.com
Website: facebook.com/avatarcrystalmine
Best Times to Visit Avatar Crystal Mine
Open Friday through Monday, 9am–4pm. Best seasons to visit are spring and fall, which offer the best weather and visibility. Crystals glisten after rain and are easier to spot on the surface. Tips for visiting other times of the year include:
- Avatar is open during the summer months with forested settings offering some shade. Bring water and wear rugged shoes.
- If going in the winter months, check weather reports to make sure roads unsafe.
- The mine road can be rough, so consider driving a four-wheel drive vehicle in wet conditions.
RELATED: Top 5 Places to Go in Oklahoma with Toddlers in Tow
Have another destination you’re curious about? Send us an email at editorial@dfwchild.com and let us know where you would like to visit with the kids.
