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A winter visit to the Crater of Diamonds State Park By Margi Jenks The weather in October and November this fall has been lovely with warm sunny days and cool nights! In fact, our trees are just starting to show their peak colors. However, fall colors mean that winter is on its way, so here are some hints and tips for making a winter visit to the diamond mine more fun than ordeal. Winter can actually be a pretty good time to visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park. In November through February our attendance slows down, and you might like a less crowded time to search. Even though this winter is predicted to be warmer and drier than normal, winter is a good time to visit because we have more rain. Rain really sets the field up for good searching. In 2010, our visitors found ten over-one-carat diamonds from November to February. Except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day, the park and campground are open every day all winter, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Deer off my front deck, winter 2010
Just as in the summer, when our visitors need to be prepared for the heat with coolers and umbrellas, in the winter visitors need to plan for ways to stay warm and dry. The first problem is MUD! Our diamond search field is famous for its sticky and slippery mud. Rubber boots are best, but any boots work fine. If you wear tennis shoes, our visitors have been known to actually walk out of their shoes. We do try to keep a wash-up hose going, unless the entire day will be below freezing. Secondly, we do not heat the water in the wet sluicing troughs out on the field. So, if you decide to do the wet sluicing search method, rubber gloves are essential, perhaps with warm gloves underneath. Also, you may want to wear rain gear to keep your clothes dry while you are wet sluicing. Finally, I have found that a walking or hiking stick is a great help when the field is very slippery. We sell several items to help you stay warm and dry. Hot coffee and cocoa are available by the cup at both the visitor center and the rental equipment desk. At the rental equipment desk visitors can buy shoe covers, ponchos, rubber gloves, towels and foot and hand warmers. The visitor center also sells ponchos, as well as Crater-themed windbreakers, sweatshirts, and fleeces. So, we invite you to plan a winter adventure at the Crater. We are even open when it snows, but snow does make the diamonds a lot harder to find!! Search area last plowed: October 20, 2011; Most recent heavy rain: November 2, 2011 Total diamonds found in 2011: 462 Diamonds registered for October 30-November 5, 2011 (100 points = 1carat): November 1 - Jami Seburt, Sault Ste Marie, MI, 13 pt. brown; Madelyn Summerford, Franklin, NC, 2 pt. brown November 2 - Lynn Hale, Franklin, NC, 55 pt. brown November 5 - Kenny and Melissa Oliver, 2 pt. white |
209 State Park Road
Murfreesboro, AR 71958
Email: craterofdiamonds@arkansas.com
Phone: (870) 285-3113
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