Crater of Diamonds State Park

Arianna Daddio

2024-04

What a fun experience! It's definitely not as easy as it looks but we enjoyed staying the whole day. If you can, I recommend purchasing the tools you need prior. Also, bringing our own wash station was super convenient so that we didnt have to go to the top of the hills to use theirs.

J. Garty

2024-04

This was a cool experience! We did go on a weekend in spring, but decided to go early. We got there when it opened, and saw online that you could rent everything for the day or bring your own items to dig. Dig. Since we were from out of the area, we did rent everything from the state park. Park. The only thing that we brought were gloves, we decided to stop and get gardening gloves ahead of time. I'm kind of glad we did! It was pretty cold that morning, and that really saved our fingers. For checking out the items, they require you to make a larger down payment but then you do get some of it back for returning the items clean. I think we got a bucket, some pans, and then a shovel. That was pretty much all we needed.We decided to head out into one of the farther corners of the designated space. We spent a little over an hour and a half perusing the areas. It was pretty fun to do as a family! We found a variety of different stones, and then when you bring the items back to check them in, they do have somebody sitting at a counter helping you determine what type of gems and stones you find. We didn't find anything worth money, but we did find some neat rocks.Some helpful hints, if you have kids they will get muddy. When we went, it didn't rain for a few days, but both of our preteen kids got full of mud. They were even trying to stay out of the mud and they still got mud all over them. So I would recommend bringing a change of shoes and or clothes along. Probably a good idea to wear older clothes as well. Another good idea would be to bring a bag or something to store your rocks and gems in after you're done digging. Luckily we had a ziploc bag in the car, and we were able to store what we decided to take with us. We didn't think of that ahead of time. Would recommend going early if you can, as we were leaving later, buses of people were arriving. It definitely got busy!They did have a nature center, gift shop, and good size parking lot. The people we encountered were very helpful and friendly.Overall it was a very cool experience and we were glad we did it.

Alan Dean

2024-04

There digging two days and got one 5 gallon bucket of washed gravel to go through at my leisure throughout the year.Not for the faint of heart…, hard work.When in field digging and washing one must walk half mile or more to get to bathrooms.Don’t take your water pill that morning if you have one and wanna dig and wash without running your legs off.Restrooms: Half mile or more from digging field.Dog-friendliness: Dogs on field ok.Picnic area: We didn’t stay at the COD State Park as there was no room. Yet roll your cooler out on a wagon with your mining tools and picnic anywhere you stop to dig.We drove a 35 ft motorhome 9.1 miles from Cow Hide Cove USACOE the two days we went. Nice overflow area for RV parking.

Paul Goodchild Ph.D., CPA

2024-04

A big deep plowed field you can explore for precious stones for a reasonable fee. You can walk, dig, or wet pan sand for a fortune. Bring (unless you want to rent them) a shovel, sifters, chairs, and a cart that can traverse dirt and mud. Pets are welcome on a leash. There are plenty of amenities and the employees are nice. There is a small gift shop, equipment rental, stone identification desk, clean restrooms, and a food truck. It's a good place to bring young kids who love dirt and geology or need to get some energy out. It was 80 degrees and overcast when we went. That's as warm as I could handle digging in the field. There is a water park, but it wasn't open (call if you want to get open information). I highly recommend visiting, it's worth the drive. We even saw a marriage proposal (pics and video).Restrooms: Two sets of reasonably clean restrooms are available.Dog-friendliness: Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.Picnic area: There are plenty of benches and several picnic areas.

Monique Ramos

2024-04

We enjoyed the hike and state park. The hiking path on one side was nicely paved. The way back has an awesome nature trail with great picture opportunities. We took more time on the way back and noticed all the trees, flora, water, etc. The campground and diamond digging experience is something to do at the park.

Michelle Wacker

2024-02

I love coming to this park. Even though I still have not found a diamond there is still nice stones and Jasper to collect. It’s a great way to spend the day. The women who work in the shop are incredibly kind. I love that they have an area to wash all the mud off your shoes and tools. The mud here is very sticky. It’s interesting how when dirt changes all over the park. Some has lots of small pretty colored rocks, some looks super volcanic and another section is super white sand. The water stations makes sifting much easier. Big clean bathrooms was nice too.

Laura Amis

2024-04

Our family had lots of fun searching for diamonds. We left empty handed but enjoyed the hunt. We brought 5 gallon buckets & a shovel from home. We rented other equipment (you receive your deposit back when you return the items- minus a smaller rental fee) but would also recommend gloves, sunscreen, & water bottles. We brought lunch with us and sat in the shade at the picnic tables to eat.Picnic area: Several picnic tables available in the shade between the field and the building.

Sovereign Living

2024-02

This is a fun place to visit! There was a 7.46 carat Brown diamond found the day we visited! It's amazing that diamonds are continually found and the park is 'Finders keepers'!They have done a great job with this park. There is a museum that tells the history or the park, previous diamonds found, and how they recommend finding them. There is a small souvenir shop too. The park also has a place to rent equipment for diamond hunting. We did use their equipment and it was in great shape for us amateurs.There is also a pool and kids area for warm weather fun! The park is beautiful and God did an amazing job creating this place!This is a great place to bring kids.I will be back to camp, spend more time here, and hunt for diamonds!

Teara Smith

2024-04

We had so much fun. I have plenty of recommendations including a requirement to wear rain boots of some sort. That would be my only issue as I went straight to the mud then went to the dry spot. Also look at images of diamonds in a pile. You really will know if it’s a diamond vs quartz, crystals, or glass. We can’t wait to go back.Restrooms: Women’s and men’s restrooms next to the rental equipment/field as well as inside the main building.Dog-friendliness: People brought their dogs

BC Randle

2024-04

Amazing! I went with my family and it was so very fun! If I can, I would love to come back here someday. It is about 15 dollars per person to get in, cheap! Rentals were not too expensive, ot will sound like a lot, but you get most back when you return the tools. But wear clothes you're ok with getting dirty! It's a dirty activity, but very fun.Restrooms: Clean but far to walk from the field.Dog-friendliness: Saw some cute doggos, they are allowed everywhere except the gift shop as long as they are on a leash.Picnic area: A few picnic tables in covered an shady areas. Bring some lunch in a cooler if you wanna eat there!

Tara Norwood

2024-04

We had a great time visiting the park! Such great information, super friendly staff! Even when I made my reservations for the wrong day they fixed it in no time and saved the day! Make sure you dress for the mess and bring dry footwear bc you are likely to need it 😉 💎

Russell Carson

2024-05

Hunting diamonds here has been on my list for quite some time. Met or exceeded my expectations. Great fun, found a lot of interesting rocks! Campground is great.

casey baumgart

2024-02

Such a fun experience digging for diamonds.Our family spent hours and came up with some interesting rocks, lots of quartz, & a peridot. Overall a fun time.We camped there as well and the facilities were great! Wish they had a laundry facility because you do get dirty.Restrooms: Clean and accessible.

Terrance Abbott

2023-12

This was a very interesting and educational visit. While we didn't find any diamonds we still got the thrill of the hunt. My teen kids who normally don't go outside had fun digging and sifting.It would be nice if there was more drinks and snacks but a town isn't too far away and there may be more available during the summer.They post info on finds, last rain, and last plowing. You should do a little walk around and find a place not as well traversed to increase your chances. Overall a fun afternoon of family fun.Playground: There is a waterpark located next door.Restrooms: They have public restrooms in the main building. They are clean and ample.Dog-friendliness: Dogs are welcome but must stay on leash.

Jannean Dixon, M.Ed.

2024-04

People seem to be all in or totally unimpressed. Some people bring the works, wagons, sifters, buckets, pop up tents, shovels, and mine like it's their job. Others bring or rent a few things and give it the old modest effort. We found absolutely nothing of interest. Neat experience, won't repeat.Dog-friendliness: Dog friendly. On a leash.

Lettie Luu

2024-04

Great time digging even though we came back empty handed. Others were finding diamonds. Bring a shovel, bucket and sifter to skip the line. They have a shallow swimming pool park attached that looks like great fun for the littles and parents. Beautiful park.Playground: Little Water park looks like great place for kids and parentsPicnic area: Plenty of shade for a picnic

Robert Hoffman

2024-04

Amazing park one of the cleanest I've been. Every day they are disinfecting the restrooms . The sites are great size lots of room. I didn't find any diamonds but had a great time.

David Engle

2024-04

One of those "have to do once in your life" family outings!-Bring chairs-Give your kids realistic expectations-Wear old clothes and gloves-Bring your own tools as much as possible-Have a blast!

Miranda Orullian

2024-04

This is such a cool thing to be able to do. We wish we came when it was warmer months and when they actually plow the dirt and refresh it because the mounds were hard as a rock from rainfall and then drying. Definitely get yourself some bibs to avoid getting wet and dirty. If you drive there bring your own supplies for digging. We flew so had to rent everything. We didn't find any diamonds but we had fun.

Pirozhock S Kotom

2024-01

Fun dirty activity, bring your own shovels and rakes and wagon, don’t wear white pants like I did. You may also want to wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and some clothes you’re comfortable with getting dirty. The diamonds are hard to find, I have found the volcanic rocks and jasper that I’m very happy with. You may also enjoy cleaning your car rugs after visiting this park, or have extra shoes to change. Otherwise, it was interesting and unusual activity, I liked it.

Beth Bacon

2024-04

We were a little disappointed in our visit. Definitely do not take younger children. Our children were excited to collect rocks/minerals as well as hunt for diamonds(they knew it may be impossible to find the diamondsSo no disappointment there). They all gave up after 20 minutes of digging and sifting. Neat to teach them how to sift. We hoped to at least bring home a few rocks from here and left empty handed.Maybe next time

Steph West

2024-02

I usually give out 5 stars like candy, but I was not impressed with this place. I can at least say I did it, but not something I would do again.It’s $12 to be able to dig. You then have to rent equipment if you don’t have your own. I knew this from reading other reviews, but I didn’t realize you don’t get everything back. I rented the basic equipment and it was $60 with $45 refundable. So $27 to try to find a diamond.I see other reviews about not going when it’s too hot, I would also recommend not going when it’s too cold. The ground was wet from rain 3 days ago and my fingers went numb quickly.I just don’t really see the appeal but there were people there who clearly go often, so I recommend trying it and seeing which side you land on.

BlackEarth Java

2024-04

Brought home our gravel to sort through again. Didn't find any obvious diamonds, but the kids had a blast playing in the mud on this perfect day! Watching videos ahead of time on how to wet sift helped greatly, and one of us was getting the right kind of patterns of heavies in the middle by the end (he really did ALL the hard work ). IT'S A TON OF WORK! We got there around 9:30am and left by 3pm. Just c one load of sifting. SUCH nice regulars willing to help, so THANK YOU to the lovely lady who let us bump into her a few too many times at the sifting station, showed the grandson how to wash the gravel, and gave him a pieceof blue barite(?). ❤️Next time, I would bring 10-20 drawstring nylon bags to fill one at a time in reasonable lifting sizes, then put them on a wagon and bring them to the wash stations...but NOT whole 5 gallon pails. 😅 We were so fortunate to have someone along that could lift that much, but I still felt bad.Restrooms: Decent bathrooms inside. Thank you!Dog-friendliness: I thought they could only be outside, but it was cool that people had their well-behaved dogs everywhere.Picnic area: Grassy areas to throw a blanket (but I still put on bug spray just in case of chiggers and ticks, because I'm paranoid), but also quite a few benches, even a food truck on the Saturday we went with tables by it.

Mitch Burks

2024-04

We loved Crater of Diamonds! We didn't find any diamonds but had a great time and a great nap in the shade. Picnic tables are available if you get there early and you can rent anything you need. Best to have a wagon to haul your tools out to the site.

Elizabeth Bridge

2024-05

This place has a room with history to explain some of the details. Theres plenty of examples listed around to help you know what to be digging for in the area. You are able to rent out equipment and wagons or you can bring your own. The prospecting area is HUGE and you can dig anywhere youd like. There are few "trails" to help you get around and washing stations if you choose to use those (might save your back) my husband had a blast and i had a good time as well. The workers are very knowledgable and can help answer questions you may have and they can also check what youve found and really know their stuff. We found lots of crystal quarts, blue agate, lava rock.Dog-friendliness: Can bring animals as long as you keep them on leash and pick up after them.Picnic area: There are food trucks and picnic tables (mostly shaded) you can sit at to take a break

John Bunce

2024-04

Fun place to check out. Chances of finding a diamond are very slim and require a lot of dirty digging. There are not a lot of other nice or interesting rocks there either. One and done for me, but glad I tried it.

L Oprean

2024-04

It's a lot of work! If you're looking for a laid back day, this ain't it. I worked a couple buckets of dirt/ gravel. Then I decided to look for what I really love which is agates. They have so many agates just laying everywhere. Pinks, greens, reds and blues! I didn't find a purple agate but I did find 1 that's pink with light purple lines which is rare. I also found several conglomerate stones that had agates within it. Conglomerates are so interesting and cool! If diamond crater ever runs out of diamonds they can rebrand themselves to a agate and quartz mine. People would still fill the park! I definitely enjoyed hunting for beautiful stones more than the diamond hunting. I will be back. It's easy pickings for agates cause everyone throws them down while looking for diamonds!Playground: Play in the mud! Who needs a playground when there's so much mud!? But yea there's a playgroundRestrooms: Nice clean restroomsDog-friendliness: On a leashPicnic area: Lots of tables!

Jill Beitz

2023-12

Bring change of clothes - you’re going to get wet and muddy! I went in November and it was cold and drizzly. There aren’t many restaurants or other services in town. It’s rural so download maps or use a satellite GPS. I brought my sifted gravel home to search but no diamonds. They will rent or sell you whatever you may need to search for diamonds but bringing your own latex gloves, 5 gallon bucket and wagon would be helpful. Summer is going to be brutally hot. But standing with my hands in cold water sifting in 45° temps wasn’t ideal either! Spring or early Fall would be way better.

Kevin Wessel

2023-12

Enjoyed our visit to the diamond field. For an entrance fee we hunted for diamonds all day, either by looking for them on the surface of the ground or digging then sifting the dirt to expose them. Tools are available the park and in town to rent if you don’t have your own. Unfortunately we didn’t find any diamonds but others did. Rangers are on site to look at and identify the stones you collect. It was fun and relaxing just exploring the field and hunting. Maybe we’ll have better luck on our next visit!

Kelly Berry

2023-12

I couldn't have enjoyed this State Park more. Coming here was one of my bucket list items. The river trail was my favorite! It was raining when I went and I wouldn't have had it any other way! Gorgeous mosses, lichens, and fungi! This place was soul soothing.