Best spot

Prairie Creek — Rockhounding in Pike County, Arkansas

Prairie Creek is the geologic source behind the Crater of Diamonds field, a lamproite diatreme with diamonds plus mantle and alteration minerals such as chrome diopside, epidote, garnet, hematite, and amethyst. Its value as a rockhounding landmark comes from that rare volcanic pipe, not from ordinary stream gravel. Reported finds include amethyst, diopside, epidote, garnet, hematite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Prairie Creek photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material, with source and license attribution.

6 photos

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Pike County
State: Arkansas
Nearest road: Prospectors Trail
Postcode: 71958
Coordinates: 34.03604, -93.68177

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Ouachita National Forest — Mineral Collecting
Crater of Diamonds State Park — Rules and finds
Arkansas Geological Survey
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Prairie Creek

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Prairie Creek.

Prairie Creek FAQ

Why is Prairie Creek one of the best rockhounding spots in Arkansas?+

Where is Prairie Creek?+

Prairie Creek is in Pike County, Arkansas, at 34.03604, -93.68177. Nearest road: Prospectors Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Prairie Creek?+

Prairie Creek is reported to produce Amethyst, Diopside, Epidote, Garnet, Hematite.

Is collecting allowed at Prairie Creek?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

How do I get to Prairie Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.03604, -93.68177 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Prospectors Trail.

More rockhounding in Arkansas

See all 32 Arkansas spots →

Open Prairie Creek on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.