Arkansas

Rockhounding Regulations

General Rules

  • • Crater of Diamonds State Park: Pay-to-dig, keep what you find
  • • One person may gather 15 pounds per day at Crater of Diamonds
  • • No motor or battery-operated equipment allowed at Crater of Diamonds
  • • BLM lands: 25 pounds per day, 250 pounds per year (limited BLM land)
  • • Hand tools only on federal lands

Permits & Licenses

  • • Crater of Diamonds requires daily admission fee
  • • No permits for casual collecting on limited BLM lands
  • • USFS lands generally don't require permits for personal use
  • • Commercial collecting requires permits

Restrictions

  • • Most state parks prohibit collecting (except Crater of Diamonds)
  • • National Parks prohibit all collecting
  • • No claims or reserved areas at Crater of Diamonds
  • • Cannot remove unprocessed soil from Crater of Diamonds

Contacts

  • • Crater of Diamonds State Park: (870) 285-3113
  • • Arkansas State Parks: (888) 287-2757
  • • Arkansas Geological Survey: (501) 296-1877
  • • US Forest Service (Ouachita/Ozark): (501) 321-5202