Arkansas Quartz Mines
Arkansas is home to one of the United States’ most publicly accessible crystal digging. The mines listed below contain opportunities for a casual afternoon with the family to hardcore, premier crystal pocket digging. Arkansas’ famous orange mud that will forever change the color of your clothes. Dress wisely!
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Avatar Mine
GPS: 34.50122, -93.62466
Land type: Private
Digging fee: Unknown
Description:
Avatar might be your perfect destination if you appreciate a rustic adventure. This is an owner operated mine in the twisting roads of Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains.
The family-owned, local style makes digging at the Avatar Mine a highlight to many that are looking for something authentic. The website isn’t live. There aren’t big signs on the highway. Most people hear about Avatar through word of mouth or a scroll on Google Maps. The Avatar Mine has a reputation for working the ground actively with machinery, keeping new material flowing and fresh ground ready to be explored.
Seasonality:
This site’s digging season is reported to be roughly March through November, but isn’t published officially.
Road condition notes:
The road to get in is unpaved, with choppy sections. A 4×4 vehicle will be nice to have, especially if rain is in the forecast.
Additional information:
Avatar does not have a website or facebook page and you’ll likely have best luck calling. This is the most recent phone number listed: (850) 227-4814
Collier Creek
GPS: 34.46326, -93.58055
Land type: Private
Digging fee:
Adults (15 and up) $25
Children (6-14) $6
5 and under are free
Seniors (55+) $20
*Rates current as of July 2026
Description:
Some of Arkansas’ most wild specimens have quartz have been found at Collier Creek. It has been worked for around 100 years ago, but never opened to the public… until May of 2026. Collier Creek began as 9 mining claims in the 1920s that became private land through a patented mining claim.
Collier Creek has a distinct variation of quartz relative to some of the other dig sites in the area. Long, thin quartz you’ll find here is referred to as ‘candle points’. If you choose to visit, you’ll be one of the very first visitors from the public that’s been able to dig here. This site is prestigious and has been exclusive for many years.
Seasonality:
8AM-4:30PM, open Monday-Saturday. Seasonality isn’t known yet according to the mine’s own website. (Linked further below)
Road condition notes:
Unknown
Additional information:
Website: https://www.colliercreekcrystals.com/public-digging/?v=7516fd43adaa
Fisher Mountain
GPS: 34.53106, -93.53798
(These coordinates lead to the Avant Mining rock shop, where you’ll begin your dig)
Land type: Private
Digging fee:
Avant offers a wide variety of price options, with $25/person digs available to the general public. Kids 6 and under are free. For the hardcore experience, Avant offers pocket digs that begin at $1,000 per individual or group.
*Rates current as of July 2026
Description:
One of Arkansas’ premier dig sites for quartz, Fisher Mountain offers a mix of affordable daily digging to world-class pocket digs. The quartz in the Mt. Ida, Arkansas region is roughly 300 million years old. Fisher Mountain specifically is notable for its phantom quartz crystals. This is hard-rock, vein quartz digging rather than alluvial crystal digging (like you’d find in an old riverbed).
Seasonality:
This site is open year-round, Tuesdays through Sundays weather permitting.
Road condition notes:
The road up to Fisher Mountain is reportedly accessible by any standard vehicle.
Additional information:
Website: avantfishermtn.com
Ron Coleman Mine
GPS: 34.66213, -93.10079
Land type: Private
Digging fee:
Adult 15-54: $25
Senior 55+: $20
Children 5-14: $6
Under 5: Free
*Rates current as of July 2026
Description:
When talking about Arkansas quartz mining, you won’t get far without hearing Ron Coleman. Mined since the 40s, this is Arkansas’ largest quartz mine in terms of production. The mine has full amenities including an RV park and ziplining.
At Ron Coleman, you’ll quickly notice it’s a different system than the other mines in the area if you’ve visited some. It is a tailings only dig. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile. Ron Coleman moves a significant amount of dirt and they can’t get all the good crystals out, especially when they’re packed with mud. Expect to find a true mix of quartz here, from glassy individual crystals to tangled clusters.
Seasonality:
This site is open year-round, 7 days a week. Closed Easter/Thanksgiving/Christmas.
Labor Day thru Memorial Day: 8AM-4:30PM
Memorial Day thru Labor Day: 8AM-5:30PM
Road condition notes:
Fully paved, can be reached in any standard car.
Additional information:
Website: www.roncolemanmining.com
Twin Creek
GPS: 34.49912, -93.56711
Land type: Private
Digging fee:
It is $25 per day per person, but there are higher priced pocket digs available where the owner will open a pocket for you with a machine and personally guide you.
Description:
The trickiest part about digging at Twin Creek is finding information about it. Along with the Avatar Mine, Twin Creek is about as rustic as it gets when talking about Arkansas’ famed paid digging quartz mines.
Twin Creek has been a well-regarded site among serious rockhounds looking to maximize their time and effort. Pocket digs here produce glassy specimens with points on seemingly all sides. Visitors can leave with large individual points, all the way up to big clusters that will take two hands to hold.
Seasonality:
For 2026, it’s believed that this site is by appointment only. They may have Winter availability as well.
Road condition notes:
Unpaved, 4×4 and good clearance recommended
Additional information:
Twin Creek does not have a website or facebook page and asks people looking to visit to book a dig over the phone: (870) 867-4945
Wegner Crystal Mine
GPS: 34.51412, -93.64118
Land type: Private
Digging fee:
Wegner is known for their different assortment of digging options and pricing varies heavily. There’s something for everyone based on age and how into it you are.
Description:
The Wegner Crystal mine offers many memorable options for families looking for an Arkansas crystal dig. Safari trucks take visitors to different activities based on the level of experience you’re looking for.
The quartz in the Mt. Ida, Arkansas region is roughly 300 million years old. Wegner has multiple different areas to dig. These include the Crystal Forest (40 acre free range digging), Phantom Mine (concentrated pocket/hard rock digging), tailings area, as well as a gem sluice and gravel bags of non-native material. The tailings area has new material added to it usually weekly or biweekly, according to the mine itself.
If you’re looking for something with value and character, the Phantom Mine is known for its manganese-included quartz points.
Wegner is said to have good handicap accessibility at their sites as well.
Seasonality:
This site is open year-round, Tuesdays through Saturday only. 8AM to 4:30PM. Mine tours leave each business day at at 9:30AM, 11:30AM, and 1:30PM. They ask visitors to be 15-20 minutes early for mine tours.
Road condition notes:
At Wegner, you get driven to the mine sites in Safari trucks. It can make it a very memorable experience, especially for families. Reaching the shop can be done in any standard vehicle. You can also drive to the tailings pile and gemstone sluice with your car.
Additional information:
Website: wegnercrystalmines.com
There’s a free museum and ecological tour on-site as well.
If interested in the Phantom Mine, you’ll want to call ahead to ask for a reservation.
Willie Rickard Rock Farm
GPS: 34.77312, -92.75863
(these lead to the Paron Community Center, where the mine has visitors meet)
Land type: Private
Digging fee:
$30 per day per person
Kids dig free.
*Pricing current as of August 2026
Description:
Of all the pay-to-dig Arkansas quartz mines, Willie Rickard Rock Farm is arguably as rustic as it gets. Interestingly, it’s located in Saline County, a decent ways Northeast of where all the other mines are. The quartz here may have some different characteristics to what’s found near Mt. Ida.
You’ll be digging in hard rock in search of crystal pockets in the backwoods of Arkansas. It’s as authentic of an experience as you can get. It gets real muddy following storms, so prepare changes of clothes accordingly.
Seasonality:
Unknown if availability is year-round. If not, typical Arkansas digging season runs loosely from March until November based on the weather.
Road condition notes:
Based on recent visitor reports, there appears to be a gravel road where you can park in a flat grass patch and hike in with your tools and buckets.
Additional information:
Phone number: (501) 209-6454
This location has a facebook group rather than a website.
Note: rockhoundingmap.com is a free resource created using public online information and has no partnership with any of the locations listed above.
These are unvisited locations and may be incomplete or have errors.
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