The Ouachita Mountains around Mount Ida hold some of the clearest quartz crystals in the world, and Arkansas has more public crystal digs than any other state. Most are family-run fee mines where you pay for the day and keep what you find. There is also a free Forest Service site.
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| Best places | Fee mines around Mount Ida: Wegner, Ron Coleman, Avant Fisher Mountain, Twin Creek, Sweet Surrender |
|---|---|
| Free option | Crystal Vista, Ouachita National Forest: hand tools, personal use, no selling |
| Cost | Day fee at the mines; Crystal Vista is free |
| Best season | Spring and fall; after rain for washed tailings |
| What you will find | Clear quartz points and clusters |
| What to bring | Gloves, small pick or screwdriver, bucket, kneeling pad |
Fee mines around Mount Ida
- Wegner Crystal Mines: tailings digging all day, or guided trips to the Crystal Forest mine.
- Ron Coleman Mining near Jessieville: a large producer with a public dig and rock shop.
- Avant Mining at Fisher Mountain: the oldest public dig in the state; buy your permit at the shop in Mount Ida first.
- Twin Creek Crystal Mine: open year-round, with backhoe-opened pockets for an extra fee.
- Sweet Surrender Crystal Mine near Story: call ahead before you drive out.
Free: Crystal Vista
Crystal Vista on Gardner Mountain is a former commercial mine in the Ouachita National Forest, open year-round with no fee. Hand tools only, personal use only, and crystals may not be sold. It is well picked over, so expect small points.
Diamonds too
About an hour south, Crater of Diamonds State Park lets visitors search a plowed field for real diamonds, amethyst and jasper and keep what they find.
Tips
- Bring gloves, a small pick or screwdriver, a bucket and a kneeling pad; the red clay stains clothes.
- Crystals are easiest to see after rain washes the tailings.
- Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons; summer is hot and humid.
- Clean crystals with water and a soft brush; oxalic acid removes iron staining.
Questions
Where can I dig for quartz crystals in Arkansas?
At fee mines around Mount Ida such as Wegner, Ron Coleman, Avant Fisher Mountain, Twin Creek and Sweet Surrender, and at the free Crystal Vista site in the Ouachita National Forest.
Is there a free place to dig crystals in Arkansas?
Yes. Crystal Vista in the Ouachita National Forest near Mount Ida is free and open year-round, for hand tools and personal use only.
Can you keep the crystals you find?
Yes, at the fee mines you keep what you find. At Crystal Vista crystals are for personal use and may not be sold.
Back to the Arkansas rockhounding guide · Rules by land type