Southwest Arkansas Radio Radio Stations KMTB, KNAS and KBHC in Nashville, Arkansas
The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro is busy this week with visitors during spring break in Arkansas.
Park interpreter Waymon Cox advises visitors to be prepared and bring necessary materials to avoid long lines.
The diamond search area is plowed periodically when weather allows to help loosen the surface soil and promote diamond finds. Plowing is unscheduled but generally takes place once a month during spring, summer, and fall. Historical structures, and mining equipment, washing pavilions, and sun shelters are located in the search area. Diamond mining tools are available for rent or purchase at the park.
Interpreter Cox says new visitors to the park may have questions about how to search for diamonds. The state park website at crater of diamonds state park dot com is one resource, in addition to a video panel at the Diamond Discovery Center.
Visitors search for diamonds atop a 37 1/2-acre plowed field, the eroded surface of an ancient, diamond-bearing volcanic crater. Visitors access the diamond search area through the Diamond Discovery Center, an engaging interpretive center featuring exhibits and a pushbutton video kiosk which illustrates the three most popular methods of searching for diamonds. The park staff provides complementary identification and registration of diamonds found at the park.
As of last week, there had been 34 diamonds found this month.
Mine admission is good for the entire day. While mine operation hours are from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, tickets purchased after 6:00 PM are good for admission the following day. While operating hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, tickets purchased after 3:00 PM are good for admission the following day.
