Diamonds in the Ruff: Your Complete Guide to Dog-friendly Crater of Diamonds State Park
The biggest diamond ever found in the United States was found in Arkansas’ dog-friendly Crater of Diamonds State Park. This state park is also home to one of the only diamond-producing areas open to the public, so you get to keep whatever you find.
Can you imagine going on vacation with your furry friend and discovering your retirement plan? Even finding a small diamond would make a memorable trip that you could brag about for years to come.
So, get ready to dream big and dig deep! We spent a full day gemstone hunting at this special state park with our three dogs. Even though we left empty-handed, we did uncover plenty of tips to help you and your pup prepare for your upcoming adventure searching for real diamonds.
Is Crater of Diamonds State Park Dog Friendly?
Crater of Diamonds State Park is dog-friendly, including the diamond-digging area! Your pup needs to remain leashed at all times, and you aren’t allowed to leave them unattended. The only places your pet is not allowed in are the gift shop and waterpark.
What to Expect at Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds is located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. It’s one of the only places where the public can find and keep real diamonds, making it a bucket list stop for many. This state park also has a campground, small museum, gift shop, and seasonal water park (for a separate fee).
Tickets are required for anyone entering the diamond search area, allowing you to come and go as you please. You will also need to either purchase or bring your own equipment. The diamond search area also has almost no shade for most of the day, so it’s important to plan ahead, especially if you are bringing your pets.
It’s important to have realistic expectations when you arrive, so you aren’t disappointed if you don’t find anything. On average, Crater of Diamonds reports 1-2 diamonds found every day. This translates to about 1 diamond for every 123 visitors. These diamonds are often incredibly small.
If you want a gem mining experience with a more guaranteed outcome, take your pup on a trip to North Carolina’s Emerald Hollow Mine.
Crater of Diamonds State Park Prices and Hours for Diamond Mining
The visitor center is open year-round every day from 8 am to 5 pm, and the diamond area is open from 8 am to 4 pm. They are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
There is no entrance fee to this State Park itself, but there are fees based on the activity you choose. If you plan on digging for diamonds, the cost is $15 a person for anyone 13 and older and $7 for children between 6 -12 years of age. Kids under 6 are free. Tool rentals are an additional cost, as is the Diamond Springs Water Park next door.
You can purchase tickets online or in person. Remember to keep them with you in case an employees asks to see them.
Parking at Crater of Diamonds State Park
There’s plenty of free parking for water park and diamond mining guests.
Are there Bathrooms at Crater of Diamonds State Park?
If you are looking for a restroom, they’re near the entrance to the digging area and have running water and flush toilets.
Is There Food Available at Crater of Diamonds State Park?
The gift shop does carry bottled beverages and snacks like peanut brittle and chips. You can also find a food truck that serves hot dogs and hamburgers just before the diamond field. Or you can bring your own food for the day, like we did.
Where to Stay When Visiting Crater of Diamonds State Park
This state park has a pet-friendly campground with campsites starting around $42/night. You can also find all types of accommodations, like dog-friendly hotels and vacation homes in Murfreesboro.
What to Bring When Searching for Diamonds in Arkansas
Your entrance fee does not include any equipment, so I suggest you bring what you can. You can also rent tools there, piece by piece or as part of a bundle. Choose from knee pads, wagons, buckets, shovels, screen sets, and a saruca (a different type of sifting tool)
At the bare minimum, you’ll need a bucket, something to dig with, and something to help you sift through the dirt. To help save money (especially if you plan on spending more than one day here), I suggest bringing these items:
- Wagon to carry the buckets you fill while digging back to the sluicing areas.
- Knee pad or cushion to sit or kneel on
- Secure, lidded container to hold the gems that you find
- Gloves
- Metal Spade and/or Shovel for digging
- 5-gallon buckets to put the dirt and gravel in before you search it.
- Screen set– if you plan on gem mining often.
- Sunscreen
If you bring your own equipment, just remember that you can’t use anything with a motor or is battery-operated.
What to Bring for Your Dog When You Visit Crater of Diamonds State Park
If you are wondering what to bring for your doggy to make the trip better for them, here it is! These are the things we were glad to have and items that we wished we had brought with:
- Bring plenty of water. Gem mining is hard work, and there is no shade! Bring water bowls and bottles for both you and your pups.
- A blanket or towel for your dog to lie on so they don’t have to lie on hot sand and rocks.
- Shade tent or umbrella to protect them from the heat of the sun.
- Snacks and toys if they need help staying occupied
- Hands-free leash or tie out so you are free to find gemstones, but remember you still need to stay close and watch them.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses if they are sensitive to light and sunburn.
Visiting Dog-friendly Crater of Diamonds State Park
Your diamond mining experience will be sunny and full of dirt. Depending on recent rains, it can be muddy, so dress accordingly. Since the process can be incredibly repetitive, take breaks by walking your dog around the search areas or on one of the hiking trails.
The Check-in Process at Crater of Diamonds State Park
Once you have parked, it’s time to head to the Crater of Diamonds visitor center to purchase your ticket and keep it with you for proof that you paid. This is also where the gift shop is if you want to buy drinks, snacks, or souvenirs.
Across from the gift shop is the small museum room that talks about the history of the park, diamonds, diamond hunting, and more. If you need a break from the heat during the day, make a point to come back and take a look.
After you buy your ticket, exit out the back door and head one level down to the Diamond Discovery Center. You can either use a ramp or go down the stairs. Before the stairs, there will be a big TV where you can play videos that give tips on searching for gemstones and how to use the screen sets properly. These videos are also available on their website.
The Diamond Discovery Center is where you rent the tools for diamond mining, as well as staff who can help you identify your finds. There are also exhibits in this area that show other types of stones and minerals you can find onsite.
Digging for Diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park
The diamond search area is spread over a 37-acre field. It has a couple of sluicing boxes, washing pavilions, and an area near the exit where you can wash off before leaving the park. They’ve also started building some shade structures, but otherwise the field is completely open and sunny.
Throughout the field, you’ll find signs marking where some of the more famous diamonds have been found and some educational and historical structures like the guardhouse and a reconstructed mine shaft.
If you or your four-legged friends would like a break from your diamond search, near the back of the field, you’ll find the Prospectors’ Trail, which is about 1 mile long.
After you’ve gotten the lay of the land, you will want to decide HOW you will search for diamonds. You can either walk around and look for them on the surface or dig down and sift through the dirt, hoping to find one.
If you choose the digging and sifting method, watch the video for tips on using the screen sets because there is a technique to help you be successful. I waited til the end of the day to watch the videos, and it was very different than what other people had told me.
I’ve heard plenty of tips that could help, like digging in spots with gravel or closer to areas where the water runs during rain. But from what I saw and experienced, finding a diamond here seemed to be based largely on luck. Especially if you are only going for a day.
Even though the park reports 1 or 2 diamonds found every day, with so many visitors every day, chances are low that someone in your group will be the lucky person. The good news is that there are other gemstones you can find besides the coveted diamond, so you probably won’t leave completely empty-handed.
Helpful Tips for Finding Diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park
Even though the odds of finding a diamond during your visit are low, it’s worth a try! And what a story you’ll have if you’re one of the lucky ones. Though we didn’t have success on our one day there, here are the tips that I wish someone had told me before our visit:
- Watch their “Searching for Diamonds Video” and read their tips before you go to save time. It has lots of helpful tips on the best way to use the equipment and what to look for.
- Have an employee double-check your rocks before you throw them out, and other helpful tips. Be super friendly to them- they can save you from throwing away something great!
- Go at least twice- the first day will be more of a learning experience. I wish we’d been able to go back after having a better idea of what to do and look for.
- Try to go after a hard rain or after they ‘plow’ the area. The rain and plow will help bring new stones to the surface.
Tips for Digging for Diamonds with Your Dog at Crater of Diamonds State Park
We took our 3 dogs to Crater of Diamonds in March to avoid the summer heat. Here are our best tips so you and your furry best friend can have a successful trip:
- Make sure your pooch is people and dog-friendly. We had several people almost step on our dogs, and a lot of kids running up to pet and try to sit on our dogs with no supervision in sight. Always be on guard duty to help protect your pets.
- Watch the weather. It gets super hot out there. Avoid going during summer months and be willing to cut your day short for your pup’s sake. Get there when they open to enjoy the cooler mornings. Overheating is a real danger here.
- Bring your own shade. During the bulk of the day, you and your pups won’t have shade unless you provide your own. The only way I would recommend bringing your dog diamond hunting is if you can provide them with shade.
- Bring a toy or chew to keep your doggie busy if they get bored easily.
- Bring a towel for them to lie down on because the sand can get hot.
- Bring protective footwear for your canine companion because, again, the sand gets very hot.
- Be prepared to carry your dog down the ramp or take the stairs. The ramp is not solid- it has little gaps between the planks that two of our three dogs refused to use.
- Take advantage of dog walks! Many of the diamonds found are discovered lying on top of the dirt, especially after a hard rain. Walking your dog around and keeping an eye on the ground is totally worth it.
Nearby Attractions to Crater of Diamonds State Park:
For ideas of places to visit close to Crater of Diamonds State Park, check out these stops:
Attractions near Crater of Diamonds State Park
Dog-Friendly Attractions near Crater of Diamonds State Park
Dog-friendly Hot Springs, Arkansas, is also just a little over an hour away if you are looking for more things to do, like a national park.
Digging for Diamonds with Your Four-Legged Friend!
Even though the chances of striking it rich with a large diamond at Crater of Diamonds State Park may be slim, the odds of making memories treasure hunting with your dog is guaranteed. Just make sure you bring plenty of water, some portable shade, and a big dose of optimism.
Who knows? This could be a trip that funds your early retirement or at least a fun story to tell your friends and family. So get ready for an adventure full of sun and dirt with happy tail wags and hopefully some sparkly rocks.
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