One of the only places in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source, Crater of Diamonds is a one-of-a-kind experience that brings people from all over the world to Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Visitors to the park search a 37-acre plowed field, the eroded surface of a volcanic crater, for variety of rocks, minerals, and gemstones – and any rock or mineral you find is yours to keep. You may bring your own mining equipment to search with (no battery-operated or motor driven mining tools allowed), or rent tools from the park.
Your diamond search begins here , where you can prepare for your visit by learning about diamonds and how to search for them. At the park's visitor center, you can view real, uncut diamonds and interact with exhibits illustrating the area's unique history and geology. At the Diamond Discovery Center, you can learn more about rocks and minerals found at the park and how to search for diamonds using various techniques. Diamonds come in all colors of the rainbow: the three colors found here at the park are white, brown, and yellow. Amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate, quartz, and other rocks and minerals naturally occur here. Park staff provide complimentary identification or rocks and minerals found at the park, as well as diamond mining demonstrations and other interpretive programs.
More than 33,100 diamonds have been found by park visitors since the Crater of Diamonds became an Arkansas state park in 1972. Notable diamonds found at the Crater include the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam, the largest diamond ever unearthed in the U.S.; the 16.37-carat Amarillo Starlight; the 15.33-carat Star of Arkansas; and the 8.52-carat Esperanza.
Other amenities include walking trails, picnic sites, 47 Class AAA campsites (50 Amp/30 Amp/Water/Sewer), 5 walk-in tent sites, a gift shop, Kimberlite Cafe (seasonal), and Diamond Springs Water Park (seasonal), which is a great place to cool off after a summer day of digging for diamonds.
Fishing
Bank fishing for largemouth bass, catfish and bream on the Little Missouri River is available. Best fishing times are late summer, as the water is unusually cool because it comes out from under Lake Greeson Dam. Access to the river is also available at Terrell Access. This is a public boat launching ramp across from the park. Directions are available at the visitor center. Trout fishing can be outstanding on the Little Missouri River below Lake Greeson Dam. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regularly stocks the river with trout from November through March, although you may fish for trout throughout the year. A fishing license is required.
Camping
The Crater of Diamonds State Park includes a tree-shaded campground featuring 47 Class AAA campsites (with water/electric/sewer hookups) [most of these sites have tent pads] and five Walk-in Tent Sites. The campground includes two modern bathhouse with hot showers; one bathhouse includes a laundry. A dump station (with no water to clean tank) is on site. There is also free Wi-Fi in the campground. Note: Tents are not included. When tent is listed, this means it has a tent pad.