This is one of the largest and oldest mines in the area. This famous mine is located near Hot Springs Village in Garland County, Arkansas and the drive to their visitor center is fully paved and can be accessed by any type of vehicle.

Once you sign up at their gift shop, you will have access to their tailings piles for the day. Cost is $25 per person. They open at 8 am till 4:30 pm.

You can drive your vehicle right up to the bottom of the digging area. Tools to bring include a (hand-held) shovel, rake, trowel, small spade, buckets and paper to wrap your best finds. Bringing a cart or wheelbarrow is a smart idea if you want to take home larger boulders or end up with full and heavy buckets. The fresh material is dumped atop of the digging area, which is within a short distance of the parking area but a dolly or cart makes the load-out much easier.

This mine is in full operation and is commercially mined almost daily. You can see the large open pit mine from their warehouse but you do not have access to that area (they offer tours through the pit during the main season). The crew of miners bring truckloads of fresh tailings material up to the public digging area regularly. You can check their website or call to inquire about when the most recent fresh material has been dropped.

This mine is known for larger sized crystals and some of the recovered specimens from their commercial mine are truly impressive. People regularly find substantial crystal points and clusters in the tailings piles. Some of the large points found can weigh several pounds.

Due to the nature of processing and transporting the material from the mine to the public digging area, a large percentage of crystals will have damaged sides or tips. But there are also perfect crystals, especially smaller points or clusters that have had a layer of clay protecting the tips. 

This is a great location to visit after a heavy rain as it reveals specimens along the surface of the dirt.

This is a must-visit location for any rockhound and it is especially suitable for first-time miners, families and children.

Chiseling or hammering is not allowed here but they can load larger boulders into your vehicle for a fee. So if you find a large rock with crystals on it, you still have the option of taking it with you.