Best spot

Crater of Diamonds State Park: Diamond & Amethyst Rockhounding in Pike County, Arkansas

Updated June 2026

Crater of Diamonds is exceptional because visitors search the eroded surface of a diamond-bearing Prairie Creek lamproite and may keep diamonds and other minerals they find. Arkansas State Parks and the Arkansas Geological Survey both document the park's volcanic pipe, its 37-acre search field, and its companion minerals, including amethyst, garnet, jasper, and agate. Reported finds include diamond, amethyst, garnet, jasper, agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Crater of Diamonds State Park photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

6 photos

Quick details

Access: Paid / fee dig
County: Pike County
State: Arkansas
Nearest road: State Park Road
Postcode: 71958
Coordinates: 34.03298, -93.67009

Geology at Crater of Diamonds State Park

This spot sits on Trinity Group, mapped as sandstone and marlstone that formed roughly 145 to 100 million years ago. Tough silica like agate, jasper, and chert typically weathers out of beds like these and collects as float in drainages and on deflation surfaces.

Mapped unit: Trinity Group
Age: 145–100 Ma (Early Cretaceous)
Rock types: sandstone and marlstone
Elevation: 410 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Crater of Diamonds State Park

Best months: September to July. Typical highs run 90°F in midsummer and 51°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 28°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MURFREESBORO 1W station (4 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Pay-to-dig site

This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Ouachita National Forest — Mineral Collecting
Crater of Diamonds State Park — Rules and finds
Arkansas Geological Survey
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Crater of Diamonds State Park

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Crater of Diamonds State Park.

Across the state line from Crater of Diamonds State Park

Crater of Diamonds State Park is close enough to the Arkansas border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Ouachita National ForestTop pick in OklahomaLe Flore County, Oklahoma · 68 mi awayQuartz, Novaculite, Chalcedony

Crater of Diamonds State Park FAQ

Where is Crater of Diamonds State Park?+

Crater of Diamonds State Park is in Pike County, Arkansas, at 34.03298, -93.67009. Nearest road: State Park Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Crater of Diamonds State Park?+

Crater of Diamonds State Park is reported to produce Diamond, Amethyst, Garnet, Jasper, Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Crater of Diamonds State Park?+

Pay-to-dig site. This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Crater of Diamonds State Park?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Crater of Diamonds State Park?+

The most comfortable months at Crater of Diamonds State Park are September to July.

How do I get to Crater of Diamonds State Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.03298, -93.67009 in Google Maps. The nearest road is State Park Road.

More rockhounding in Arkansas

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