Crater of Diamonds State Park Finds and Current Visitor Data
Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, remains the only diamond mine in the United States open to the public for prospecting. The park reports that visitors keep an average of about 2,000 diamonds found each year, with total registered finds exceeding 75,000 diamonds since the park opened in 1972. In the most recent full fiscal year reported by Arkansas State Parks, the park recorded more than 170,000 visitors, a figure that places it among the top visited state parks in the region. Park officials note that the average diamond found weighs between 20 and 30 points, though larger stones are regularly discovered and registered. The park charges a standard daily dig fee, currently set at $15 for adults, with children under six admitted free, and the fee covers access to the 37.5-acre plowed field where diamonds are found. For detailed visitor and diamond find statistics, the official Arkansas State Parks page provides the latest reports here.
Notable Diamond Finds and Valuation Trends at Crater of Diamonds
The largest diamond ever found at the park is the 40.23 carat Uncle Sam, discovered in 1924, which remains the largest diamond ever unearthed in the United States. In recent years, notable finds include a 9.07 carat diamond registered in 2015 and several stones in the 3 to 5 carat range that have drawn media attention. Park staff appraise diamonds on-site for a small fee, and visitors can keep any gem they find regardless of value, a policy that distinguishes the park from commercial diamond operations. The value of rough diamonds found at the park varies widely based on carat weight, color, and clarity, with small stones typically selling for a few hundred dollars and exceptional specimens fetching several thousand dollars per carat at auction or through private dealers. For background on diamond valuation and the global rough diamond market, the Forbes diamond industry overview provides relevant context here.
Visitor Experience, Mining Methods, and Official Park Operations
Visitors to Crater of Diamonds State Park can dig for diamonds using three primary methods: surface searching, dry sifting, and wet sifting in the park's creek and wash areas. The park provides screens, buckets, and other basic tools for rent, and the entire search area is regularly plowed to expose new diamond-bearing soil. Park rangers and staff offer free identification assistance, and found diamonds can be kept by the visitor without any claim, tax, or royalty to the state beyond the daily entry fee. The park operates year-round, weather permitting, and the diamond search area is typically open from sunrise to sunset, with extended hours during peak summer months. For official park rules, current fee schedules, and mining guidelines, the Arkansas State Parks official site for Crater of Diamonds here is the authoritative source. The park also partners with local tourism boards to promote the region as a destination for geology enthusiasts and rockhounds, contributing to local hospitality and retail businesses in Pike County.