Travel: Crater of Diamonds State Park Murfreesboro Arkansas
TRAVEL
Duane Clawson
6/30/20263 min read
All Photos © Red River Current Media / DC Photowerx
Recently, my daughters invited me on a trip to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. As the only place in the world where the public can hunt for natural diamonds in their original volcanic source, it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. The three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sherman, Texas, marked the start of my first tent-camping adventure in thirty years.
Tip #1: If you are visiting the park in the summer, be sure to bring bug spray! Those Arkansas bugs are a different breed.
After setting up camp, we headed into Murfreesboro for supplies. Chimney Rock Grocery is the town’s only grocery store, but it is well-equipped for hungry travelers. For other necessities, you can find a Family Dollar or a Dollar General nearby. The campground itself is clean, quiet, and well-maintained, featuring a modern shower house and electrical hookups at each site.
Tip #2: Pike County, Arkansas, is a dry county, so be sure to bring your own alcoholic beverages. The nearest location for beer and wine is Footsies, situated about twenty miles from the park. After a restful night's sleep and a hearty campsite breakfast, we were ready to hunt for our fortune.
Tip #3: What to pack for diamond hunting. Essential gear includes sifting screens, small shovels, a collapsible wagon, five-gallon plastic buckets, water, snacks, comfortable clothing, sunscreen, bug spray, and plenty of patience. The work can be physically demanding, as carrying buckets of dirt to the wash pavilions, digging, and sifting will tire you out faster than you expect. Alternatively, you can try surface searching, which involves simply walking the fields to look for something shiny. You can rent or purchase most of the above items at the park’s visitor center.
Diamond Springs Water Park (seasonal) is located next to the visitor center and is a great place to cool off after a summer day of digging for diamonds.
My final tip is to always stay aware of your surroundings. On our last night, we took a trip to the shower house, and upon our return, we encountered a Wolf Spider—possibly the largest I have ever seen! They can bite and cause allergic reactions, so it is best to keep your distance.
If the spider encounter wasn’t enough, we also crossed paths with a small Copperhead snake out for a late-night slither. We maintained a respectful distance, letting each other pass safely, but after that, we decided to call it a night and retreated securely into our tents.
If I were to plan this trip again, I would visit during a cooler time of year and conduct more thorough research to better prepare for the experience. Despite the challenges, it is an educational and unique adventure that can only be found at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Safe travels to everyone!
