Best Rockhounding Spots in Arkansas
Free rockhounding locations, pay-to-dig mines, permit rules, and community field notes for Arkansas
Top Minerals Found in Arkansas
- 💎Quartz crystals
- 💎Diamonds
- 💎Barite
- 💎Novaculite
- 💎Wavellite
- 💎Epidote
- 💎Galena
Best Regions to Explore
Best Season to Visit
Spring and fall are ideal. The Crater of Diamonds is open year-round.
Expert Collecting Tips
Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro is the only place in the world where the public can dig for diamonds and keep them. Mount Ida is the "Quartz Crystal Capital of the World."
⭐ Arkansas Rockhounding Highlight
Arkansas produces some of the world's finest quartz crystals and is home to the only public diamond mine in North America.
Pay-To-Dig Mines in Arkansas
Fee-based mining experiences where you keep what you find.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Murfreesboro, Arkansas
💰 $12 adults / $6 children
The only diamond mine in the world open to the public where you keep what you find. Over 35,000 diamonds have been found by visitors since 1972. The surface-search field is plowed regularly after rains to expose new material. Diamonds, amethyst, jasper, quartz, and other minerals are found here regularly.
Ron Coleman Mining
Jessieville, Arkansas
💰 $25–$50 per person
One of the largest quartz crystal mining operations open to the public. Dig in active mining pits in the Ouachita Mountains — the world capital of quartz crystal production. Phantom quartz, chlorite inclusions, and massive single-point crystals are regularly found. Equipment rentals and guided tours available.
Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines – Phantom Mine
Mount Ida, Arkansas
💰 $20-$45 per day
Dig phantom quartz and chlorite-included crystals at the famous Phantom Mine section of the Wegner operation near Mount Ida. These unique crystals show a pyramid ghost inside and are among the most prized quartz specimens in the world.
Willie Rickard Rock Farm
Mt. Ida, Arkansas
💰 $10-25 per person
Popular rock and gem digging site featuring quartz crystals and other minerals commonly found in the Ouachita Mountains region.
Pine Ridge Crystals
Mount Ida, Arkansas
💰 $20-$45
Dig for quartz crystals in native Ouachita Mountain ground. Known for excellent clear and smoky quartz crystal specimens with good terminations.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Murfreesboro, Arkansas
💰 $10-$15
The only public diamond mine in the world! Search a 37-acre field that is the eroded surface of a 95-million-year-old volcanic crater. Keep any diamond you find. Over 33,000 diamonds found since 1906.
Sweet Surrender Crystals
Mount Ida, Arkansas
💰 $20-$40
Family-run quartz crystal mine near Mount Ida. Dig native ground for beautiful quartz crystal clusters and points from the Ouachita Mountains.
Wegner Crystal Mines
Mount Ida, Arkansas
💰 $20-$45
Group digs and tailings collecting at this family-run mine in the quartz capital of the world. Multiple mine areas including the Crystal Forest Mine and Phantom Mine.
Ron Coleman Mining
Jessieville, Arkansas
💰 $25-$60
One of the most famous quartz crystal mining operations in the world. Dig native quartz crystal pockets in the Ouachita Mountains with expert staff help.
Board Camp Crystal Mine
Mena, Arkansas
💰 $25-$50
A unique crystal mining experience in the Ouachita Mountains. Known for unusual crystal habits including self-healed and phantoms. Digging in native ground.
Crystals by Shirley — Ouachita Crystal Mine
Hot Springs, Arkansas
💰 $30-$75
Dig for large, museum-quality quartz crystal clusters near Hot Springs, Arkansas. Guided digs available with equipment provided.
Dake's Crystal Mine
Mt. Ida, Arkansas
💰 $20-$40
A classic Arkansas quartz crystal dig site. Excellent specimens of clear and smoky quartz crystals from native ground pockets.
Hankins Diamonds
Murfreesboro, Arkansas
💰 $15-$25
A private diamond and quartz collecting site near the famous Crater of Diamonds. Less crowded than the state park with good finds.
Arkansas Crystal Works
Mount Ida, Arkansas
💰 $20-$50
Dig your own quartz crystals in the Ouachita Mountains, the quartz capital of the world. Excellent crystals including smoky and phantom varieties.
Free Rockhounding Locations in Arkansas
Public and permitted sites where you can hunt for gems and minerals.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Murfreesboro, Arkansas
World's only publicly mined diamond field. Visitors can keep what they find!
Crater of Diamonds - Pay to Dig
Murfreesboro, Arkansas
Famous diamond-bearing volcanic crater open to the public. Many real diamonds found yearly.
Wegner Quartz Crystal Mine
Mount Ida, Arkansas
Dig your own quartz crystals from Arkansas's famous crystal belt.
Arkansas Quartz Crystal Mines
Hot Springs, Arkansas
World-famous for large, clear quartz crystals. Hot Springs area has numerous public digging sites.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Murfreesboro, Arkansas
The only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public. Finders keepers!
Dig Permits & Regulations in Arkansas
What you need to know before you dig — rules vary by land type.
Bureau of Land Management - Eastern States
Casual collecting of rocks, quartz crystals, and minerals is allowed on BLM lands in Arkansas for personal use without a permit.
Arkansas State Parks - Crater of Diamonds
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place in the world where the public can dig for real diamonds and keep what they find. A daily fee applies.
Rockhounding Clubs in Arkansas
Connect with local rockhounds and join a club near you.
Ouachita Gem & Mineral Society
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Club focused on Arkansas's world-famous quartz crystals, diamonds (Crater of Diamonds), and local mineral collecting.
Rockhounding in Arkansas — FAQ
Where can I go rockhounding in Arkansas?
Arkansas has 5 documented free dig sites and 14 pay-to-dig mines in our database. Use the interactive map to find exact coordinates.
What gems can you find in Arkansas?
Common finds in Arkansas include Diamond, Quartz, Jasper, Amethyst, Garnet, Peridot. Results vary by site and season.
Do you need a permit to rockhound in Arkansas?
Some areas in Arkansas require permits, especially on National Forest and BLM land. Check the regulations section above for specific requirements.
What tools do I need for rockhounding in Arkansas?
Bring a rock hammer, chisels, safety glasses, gloves, and sturdy boots. A field guide and the We Lick Rocks AI rock identifier app are also great to have on hand.