Experience the Crystal Loop

Arkansas is well known worldwide for being the only state where you can dig for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. But did you know Arkansas is also the home of some other precious gems you can dig for, too?

A “quartz belt” that is between thirty and forty miles wide runs through the core of the Ouachita Mountains. Mount Ida, which the Ouachita National Forest surrounds, is known for many area mines. Rock shops line roads in and around town, and private quartz crystal mines allow visitors to search for crystals for a fee.

The ‘Crystal Loop’ starts just outside of Mount Ida on Logan Gap Road off of Highway 270 West, at Fisher Mountain, which offers public and private dig options. The next stop is Twin Creek Mine, a large commercial mine that also offers public and private digging. Next, you will get on Owley Road to the parking area for Crystal Vista Trail. This is a free public hiking area that allows access to an abandoned mine where visitors can surface collect crystals. This site, run by the U.S. Forest Service, is a good option for those seeking a more off-the-beaten-track experience. The trail is open all year and is a great place to have an adventure. The last stops on the loop are Avatar Crystal Mine, which offers tailings digs, and Wegner Crystal Mines.

Digging for crystals is an activity that can get the whole family outdoors. There is no prior experience or knowledge needed; it can be a satisfying activity for the entire family. One hint for those who want to go: don’t expect the crystals to just lie around glistening in the sun, waiting for you to pick them up. Crystal pockets are mostly filled with red-brown clay, and the crystals are often covered with a layer of yellow or orange limonite. So you have to work through the mud and dirt to find something.

Arkansas’ unique geological makeup allows visitors to dig for quartz and diamonds at public sites, a special opportunity that is unparalleled in the world.