Where to Find Crystals in Arkansas - Best Spots

The Top Spots for Crystal Digging in Arkansas. The most common minerals found in Arkansas include quartz, amethyst, calcite, and fluorite. Arkansas is also home to a variety of other minerals, including garnets, opals, and diamonds. There are many places where you can go digging for crystals in Arkansas.

Mines for Crystal and gem Digging in Arkansas

Crystal Vista, Mount Ida

Crystal Vista is a crystal collecting area located in the Ouachita National Forest near Mount Ida, Arkansas. It is a 4-acre former commercial crystal mine that is now open to the public for free. Visitors can hike to the site and collect quartz crystals from the ground surface.

The Crystal Vista Trail is a 1.6-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the site. The hike is moderately challenging, with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. The trail is open year-round, but it is best to visit during the spring or fall when the weather is mild.

The crystals found at Crystal Vista are typically clear quartz, but other varieties can also be found, such as amethyst, smoky quartz, and rose quartz. The crystals range in size from small to large, and some of them have been cut and polished.

In addition to collecting crystals, visitors to Crystal Vista can enjoy the scenic views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Ouachita. There is also a picnic area at the trailhead where visitors can relax and enjoy a meal.

Additional details about Crystal Vista

Location: Crystal Vista is located on the Womble Ranger District in Mount Ida, Arkansas. The address is 2237 Owley Road, Mount Ida, AR 71957.
Fees: There are no fees to collect crystals at Crystal Vista.
Hours: The Crystal Vista Trail is open year-round, but it is best to visit during the spring or fall when the weather is mild.
Accessibility: The Crystal Vista Trail is moderately challenging, with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. It is not wheelchair accessible.
What to bring: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. You may also want to bring a first-aid kit and a camera.

Crystals in Arkansas - Where to Find Crystals in Arkansas: The Top Spots for Crystal Digging

Where to Find Crystals in Arkansas: The Top Spots for Crystal Digging in AR

Ron Coleman Mining

Ron Coleman Mining is a family-owned and operated quartz crystal mine located in Jessieville, Arkansas. It is the oldest continuously operating crystal mine in the state, and it has been in operation since 1947.

The mine offers a variety of activities for visitors, including:

Public crystal digging: Visitors can dig for their own crystals in the mine's public digging area. The cost is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors (55 and older), $5 for children (7-15), and free for children 6 and under.
Mine tours: Visitors can take a guided tour of the mine and learn about the history of crystal mining in Arkansas. The cost is $15 for adults, $10 for children (7-15), and free for children 6 and under.
Group rates: Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more. The cost is $22 per person for public crystal digging and $13 per person for mine tours.
Address: 211 Crystal Ridge Ln, Jessieville, AR 71949, United States

Additional details about Ron Coleman Mining

Location: Ron Coleman Mining is located at 211 Crystal Ridge Lane, Jessieville, AR 71953.
Hours: The mine is open year-round, but the hours vary depending on the season. The best time to visit is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild.
Accessibility: The mine is wheelchair accessible, but the zipline is not.
What to bring: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. You may also want to bring a first-aid kit and a camera.

Crater of Diamonds State Park

Crater of Diamonds State Park is a 37.5-acre park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, United States. It is the only diamond-bearing state park in the world that allows visitors to search for diamonds in their natural state. The park is home to over 75,000 diamonds that have been found since it was opened to the public in 1972.

Visitors to Crater of Diamonds can search for diamonds in the park's search area, which is a plowed field about the size of two football fields. The search area is open year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild.

Additional details about Crater of Diamonds State Park

Fees:
- Admission to the search area: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62 and older), $6 for children (6-12), and free for children 5 and under.
- Diamond Discovery Center: $3 for adults, $2 for seniors (62 and older), and $1 for children (6-12).
Hours: The search area is open year-round, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST. The Diamond Discovery Center is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST.
Accessibility: The search area is wheelchair accessible, but there are some restrictions. Visitors must be able to walk up and down a slight incline.
What to bring: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. You may also want to bring a first-aid kit and a camera.
Address: 209 State Park Road, Murfreesboro, AR 72110

8,000-Pound Quartz crystals from Arkansas on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines

Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines is a family-owned and operated crystal mine located in Mount Ida, Arkansas. It is one of the most popular crystal mines in the state, and it is known for its abundance of clear quartz crystals.

The mine offers a variety of activities for visitors, including:

Crystal Forest Mine Dig: Visitors can dig for their own crystals in the mine's Crystal Forest Mine. The cost is $18 per person for a 2-hour dig.
Taintings Area: Visitors can collect crystals in the Tainings Area all day long for $10.50 for adults and $6.60 for kids (under 10) and seniors (62+).
Gemstone Sluice: Visitors can pan for gemstones in the Gemstone Sluice. The cost is $4.50 for the sluice fee, then priced by the pail! 5 Pails to choose from ranging in price at $5-$15/pail.
Diamond Experience: Visitors can try their luck at finding diamonds in the Diamond Experience. The cost is $32/bag Guaranteed to find 1/2 carat or more in total weight per bag.

Additional details about Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines

Location: Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines is located at 12020 Wegner Rd, Mount Ida, AR 71957.
Hours: The mine is open Tuesday-Sunday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Accessibility: The mine is wheelchair accessible, but the Gemstone Sluice is not.
What to bring: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and sunscreen. You may also want to bring a first-aid kit and a camera.

Tips for digging crystals in Arkansas

The best time to go crystal hunting in Arkansas is during the spring or fall, when the weather is cooler and less humid.
Many of the mines in Arkansas require you to bring your own gear, so be sure to check with the mine before you go.
Be aware of the rules and regulations of the mine or crystal site you are visiting.
Leave no trace. This means packing out all of your trash and taking care not to damage the environment.
Bring the right gear. You'll need to bring some basic gear with you when you go crystal hunting, such as a shovel, a pickax, a bucket, and a magnifying glass. You may also want to bring a camera to document your finds.
Dress appropriately. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that you don't mind getting dirty. You should also wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.
Be aware of your surroundings. Be careful not to dig too close to the edge of a cliff or other dangerous area.