Crater of Diamonds

Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro is the most unusual day trip from Hot Springs. The park sits on the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic pipe, and visitors can search a plowed field of roughly 37 acres for diamonds, along with amethyst, garnet, jasper and other stones. What makes it famous is the rule: whatever you find is yours to keep. Thousands of diamonds have been found here, including the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam found in 1924, the largest diamond ever discovered in the United States. Most finds are small, but each year visitors take home stones, and the thrill of looking is half the point. The drive from Hot Springs takes about an hour and a half, so it fits as a full day.

Searching is simple but requires patience. You can bring your own tools, rent or buy basic ones at the park, and choose from three methods: surface hunting after rain, dry sifting through soil and wet sifting at washing stations. Staff at the discovery center will identify and certify your finds, and they can teach you what a rough diamond looks like, which is often not the sparkle you imagine.

Rain actually helps, as it washes soil from stones on the surface. The field is open and exposed, so you need sunscreen, a hat and lots of water in warm months.

Plan the day with the drive in mind. Start early, pack lunch and water, and leave in the afternoon to make it back for a soak and dinner. Check park hours and conditions before you leave, as the field may be closed in extreme weather. Pair the visit with a stop at a roadside diner and a drive through the countryside. For visitors who like quirky travel, this is a highlight that few people get to claim: a real diamond dig in Arkansas.

Think about the practical side of a dig. The soil is sticky clay that clings to boots and clothes, so bring a change of shoes and a plastic bag for muddy gear. Many people work in pairs, one digging and one sifting, and the wet-sifting stations let you wash gravel in screens to concentrate heavier stones.

Experienced hunters look for rounded, glassy pebbles with a greasy shine, which is how diamonds often appear, and the staff will happily test and identify anything you bring in. Even a day without a diamond is rarely wasted, since the park also yields quartz, agate and colorful rocks that make good souvenirs.

The surrounding area is rural and pleasant. Plan lunch in a small-town cafe, fuel up before you leave Hot Springs, and keep an eye on weather and sun exposure. In summer, a water playground at the park gives kids a break from digging. Whether you go for the thrill of finding a gem or simply for the oddness of the experience, the park turns a drive into a story you will tell for years.