Unearthing Arkansas: A Rockhound's Guide to Ron Coleman Mining
Tucked away in the scenic Ouachita Mountains in Jessieville, Arkansas, lies Ron Coleman Mining—a world-class commercial quartz mine that invites the public to grab a trowel and dig for their own sparkling gems. With fresh, crystal-rich dirt hauled directly from the active commercial pit to the 4-acre public digging fields, the ground is constantly replenished. Whether you are a seasoned rockhound or a family looking for a unique outdoor day trip, you are virtually guaranteed to unearth your own hidden treasures.
Here is my honest, firsthand guide to planning your crystal-hunting excursion!
Location, Arrival, and the Tricky Sign
Ron Coleman Mining is located at 211 Crystal Ridge Ln, Jessieville, AR 71949. The site is typically open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM (though special events occasionally extend these hours).
A quick word of warning for the drive: As you near the destination, you will see a massive sign that reads “Ron Coleman Mining - Turn Here.” Pay close attention, because this sign is misleadingly located on the opposite side of the road from the actual turn!
Check-In & Amenities
General admission for digging is $25 per adult and $5 per child. If you are feeling adventurous, they also offer bundle packages that include their massive side-by-side zipline and a guided truck tour.
When you arrive, you will head inside their large gift shop to purchase your tickets. The shop itself is fantastic and filled with an incredible assortment of polished and raw rocks for sale. Once you pay at the counter, you’ll be directed to the far left to quickly sign a digital waiver on an iPad.
Pro-Tip: While the dig site is incredible, it is only one small area of the property. If you want to see the full scale of the active mines and deep quarries, I highly recommend booking the guided tour.
Welcome to the Dig Site
Located just a short walk or drive to the left of the gift shop, the dig site is essentially a huge mountain of reddish dirt overlooking a beautiful expanse of trees and valleys.
Ron Coleman operates on a strict “keep what you find” policy. The gift shop will provide you with one complimentary gem bag per person, and they have buckets available for purchase. However, if you are a serious collector planning to haul away a massive bounty, I highly recommend bringing your own heavy-duty buckets and bags.
What to Bring & How to Prepare
To make the most of your dig, preparation is key:
- Beat the Heat: Arrive early in the morning. Arkansas summers are unforgiving, and the early start helps you avoid heat exhaustion. Bring plenty of water bottles, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
- The Tools: At a minimum, bring a hand shovel/trowel and a pair of sturdy gardening gloves. A larger shovel is helpful for deep digging (though not strictly necessary), and a masonry chisel is incredibly useful for splitting larger rocks or knocking hard clay off a crystal cluster.
- Dress for the Dirt: You will get exceptionally dirty. Wear old clothes and shoes, and pack a spare change of clothes to swap into before getting back in your car.
Expert Strategies for Finding the Best Crystals
- Don’t Dig Immediately (Surface Hunting). Before you burn your energy moving dirt, simply walk around the site. There are literal tons of common quartz completely exposed on the surface. Walk the fields and grab any surface crystals that catch your eye—one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
- Hunt the Fresh Dumps. Every 1 to 2 days, the mining crew dumps a fresh load of newly excavated dirt onto the public site. Always seek out the most recent dirt piles. Because these mounds haven’t been picked over by the crowds, your chances of finding pristine crystals are significantly higher.
- The Post-Rain Advantage. If your travel schedule is flexible, visit right after a rainstorm. The rain washes away the loose red topsoil, naturally exposing the crystals so they gleam in the daylight. It makes the site incredibly muddy, but it drastically increases your chances of finding top-tier specimens.
- Look for the “Dark Glass”. When covered in clay, it can be hard to tell if you’ve found a crystal or just a plain rock. Look for surfaces that are reflective or shiny—in the dirt, raw quartz often looks like shards of dark glass. You won’t know exactly what you have until it’s washed, but the shine is your best indicator!
What You Will Actually Find (Managing Expectations)
As an exotic rock collector, I had an absolute blast trying to dig for my own crystals. However, it’s important to manage your expectations: the dig site is overwhelmingly filled with common quartz.
The chances of finding rare, exotic gemstones here are incredibly slim. You could easily load an entire truck bed full of common quartz within a few minutes, but you would likely be digging for hours to find anything else.
Still, every shovel scoop comes with the hope of finding something special. We took home a huge variety of quartz in different shapes and sizes, alongside a few shale rocks. My absolute favorite find of the day wasn’t even a quartz crystal—it was a large, striking green rock banded with purple and red. It appears to be a massive piece of siltstone with bands of hematite, and possibly traces of manganese oxide. That’s a fancy way of saying I found a pretty rusty rock that I’m very happy with!
Post-Dig Cleanup: A Warning!
When you are done, you’ll need to clean the heavy dirt and clay off your rocks. There are water spigots on-site, but they are frequently out of order, so don’t count on them.
Whatever you do, do not wash your crystals in your kitchen sink! The heavy clay and minerals will quickly clog your household plumbing. Instead, wait until you get home and use a high-pressure garden hose with a gentle brush in the yard. To get that museum-quality sparkle, you can soak your finds in Oxalic Acid (following the safety instructions carefully) to dissolve the iron and rust stains.
Where to Go Next (Nearby Stops)
After digging your own crystals, you can keep the nature adventure going by heading 25 minutes south into Hot Springs, AR where you’ll find:
- The Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo: Located on the west side of the inner city park area, you can head here for hands-on encounters with gators, goats, and budgies.
- The Hot Springs National Park: A natural wonder with great views, challenging trails, and drinkable hot water springs.
The Final Verdict: Is it Worth It?
The Ron Coleman Mining experience is perfect for anyone fond of exotic rocks, crystals, and minerals, and it is an absolute must-visit for hands-on rock collectors. The stunning valley views combined with the sheer thrill of discovery make it a fantastic outing. Some people mine from dawn until dusk, but most are content to dig for 1 to 2 hours. If you factor in browsing the gift shop and taking water breaks, it makes for a perfect 3-hour half-day trip.
Is it worth it? Absolutely. As long as you embrace the fact that you are primarily hunting for common quartz rather than rare gemstones, you will walk away with an unforgettable experience and a literal bucket full of sparkling souvenirs.
