Digging for Diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park

At Crater of Diamonds State Park, visitors can search a plowed, diamond-bearing field and keep whatever they find, a rare and genuinely only-in-Arkansas experience.

The park sits atop an eroded volcanic crater, and its 37-acre search field is one of the few places in the world where the public can hunt for real diamonds. Visitors have unearthed notable stones over the years, though most finds are small, and plenty of hunters leave empty-handed.

Park staff offer tips on techniques, from surface searching to digging and sifting, and can help identify finds at the visitor center. The park provides a fun, hands-on outing regardless of whether treasure turns up.

Beyond the search field, the park offers trails, a water-play area, and exhibits on the region's geology. Travelers said the thrill of the hunt, and the chance, however slim, of striking it rich, makes for a memorable family adventure.