Welcome to Crater
of Diamonds State Park, one of 52 beautiful, historic state
parks, each with their own special mission. The other thing they
each have is a geocache. This adventure is based around visiting
all 52 state parks. Each park cache has a clue that you will need
to find the final, 53rd cache located somewhere in the state. Just
download the clue sheet and start your adventure. We
encourage you to upload photos on the geocaching.com page when
you find one and also to tell us about your visit to the park on
the state park blog. As an extra incentive, For
a limited time you can pick up an Arkansas State Park geocoin at
the final location and send it on it's way to visit parks
throughout the world!
Arkansas, The Natural State, is blessed with an abundance of
geological wonders. The
Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only diamond-producing site
in the world open to the public, stands out as a unique geological
"gem" for you to explore and enjoy.
Here, you are invited to prospect in the park's diamond search
area, a 37-acre plowed field that is the eroded surface of an
ancient volcanic pipe that 95 million years ago, brought to the
surface the diamonds and some of the semi-precious stones lucky
visitors find here today.
Diamonds of all colors of the rainbow can be found here at Crater
of Diamonds, but the three most common colors unearthed by park
visitors are white, brown and yellow. This Arkansas Diamond Mine is
a rockhound's delight since, along with diamonds, over 40 types of
rocks and minerals can found here, too. These rocks and minerals
include lamproite, amethyst, banded agate, jasper, peridot, garnet,
quartz, calcite, barite and hematite.
In 1906, John Huddleston, the local farmer who owned this property
then, found the first diamonds here in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, and
started the diamond mining rush. According to the history of the
Crater of Diamonds State Park, after a series of ill-fated mining
ventures followed by tourist attractions, the site became an
Arkansas state park in 1972.
Within the park boundary many remnants of old mining ventures
remain including the Mine Shaft Building, the Guard House, mining
plant foundations, old mining equipment and smaller artifacts.
Nowhere else is North American diamond mining history as evident or
as well preserved as here.
Along with the diamond search area, the park has hundreds of acres
of natural forest featuring a diversity of flora and fauna and
offering visitors interesting things to do in the area. Arkansas'
natural and cultural diversity -- the geology, the site's history,
the plants and animals -- makes the Crater of Diamonds State Park a
unique Arkansas attraction unlike any other in the world. You are
invited to visit this one-of-a-kind attraction and experience the
thrill of searching for real diamonds in the rough. Our park staff
will identify your finds for you. And, the policy here is "finders
keepers." Any diamonds, semi-precious stones, rocks or minerals you
unearth are yours to keep, regardless of their value.
Please check the park Web site for hours of operation. Park Permit
Number 11-03
Plan some time for each of the parks and enjoy your visit. Learn
about natural, cultural and state history. Take in a hike, a swim,
a boat ride. Go fishing, cycling or just relax. For more
information on geocaching in an Arkansas State Park visit our
geocaching page. For information on
geocaching throughout the Natural State visit Arkansas
Geocaching. Have a great time and we’ll see you in a
park!
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