After a disappointing day at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, our kids were in for a treasure hunt of a lifetime. We found no diamonds at the state park and the dark gravel had very little appeal to my kids. But their spirits would soon change from disappointment to pure exhilaration. The Wegner Crystal Mines provides quite a different experience than the Crater or Diamonds. Located in Mount Ida Arkansas, the mine is littered with crystals and your kids are bound to find buckets of gems. Instead of looking for a needle in the haystack, your kids are guaranteed to find what seems to be the crown jewels.
What is the Best Crystal Mine in Arkansas?
There are several crystal mines near Mt. Ida Arkansas. After researching them online, it seemed like the Wegner Crystal Mine was the best for families. So that is where we took our family.
Our research proved to be 100% accurate. The staff was friendly and accommodating. They were great with our children and were patient with us. If we ever visit the area again, we would absolutely go back to the Wegner Mine.
There were a few people in our group that had toured several mines in the area. After our excursion had completed, they told us that they thought the Wegner Crystal Mine was the best overall. I’m sure there are several good mines, but in terms of family fun and customer service, Wegner is second to none.
How much does it cost to go to Wegner Crystal Mines?
The 2-hour crystal tailings digging experience costs $10.50 for adults and $6.60 for kids 2-10 or seniors.
The cost depends on your excursion. Our family signed up to do 2 hours of digging through crystal tailings. We were completely unprepared and needed to buy additional supplies. I bought 3 buckets, 3 shovels, 5 pairs of gloves, and snacks for the kids. The cost for admission was around $45, but with the equipment and snacks the bill ended up being just north of $120. You are allowed to bring your own equipment, so if you plan ahead then you can save some money.
What Crystal Mining Tools Do I Need?
You need a five-gallon bucket to store your crystal treasures, a hand shovel, and gloves.
Some people bring picks, full sized shovels, and other devices. These are not necessary for the crystal tailings experience. Most of the crystals are visible as you walk around the red clay. You pick up the ones you want to keep. Therefore, I recommend gloves and a hand shovel – this is what the Wegner Mine staff recommended to me as well.
Additionally, you need to bring water and snacks. There are no refreshments or concessions at the tailings pile. Trucks dive you up the foothill to the mine and it is somewhat remote. While food and water aren’t mining tools, if you have kids they are just as important.
How Do You Mine for Crystals at Wegner Mines?
Most of the heavy lifting is done for you when you mine the crystal tailings. With a hand shovel and gloves, you simply walk around and investigate interesting looking rocks. The clear crystals that are lodged in the ground appear dark, since there is no light illuminating the other side. You keep an eye out for rocks that look dark. When you identify such a rock you remove it from the ground with your hand shovel and see if it’s a crystal. Many times you will be delighted to find a beautiful gem! If that’s the case you put that puppy in your bucket. Otherwise discard the rock and keep on searching.
How Old Do Kids Need to be to Enjoy the 2-hour Crystal Tailing Experience?
My youngest was 4 years old and he was engaged the entire time digging for crystals. I think if your child can dig and look for rocks then they are old enough to enjoy this adventure. There are certainly areas where you would not want a 2–3-year-old at the tailings mine. But there are several flat areas where very young kids can dig in the dirt. Both my 4-year-old and 9-year-old had an adventure of a lifetime.
The Hunt of a Lifetime
I was worried that my kids might get bored after 30 minutes or so, but that never happened. With wide eyes they ran and urgently dug for gems. When they found a sparkling treasure they showed their siblings and beamed with pride. They were so excited the entire time. After all, this was a real treasure hunt and they were finding real treasures to show their friends! I was anticipating some melt downs and snack breaks, but we spent over 2 full hours digging for crystals. When it was time to leave, we had to pull them out of the mine. I'm sure they could have stayed for hours more, but after 2 hours our hearts were full and so were our buckets and we headed back to the main shop.
Final Thoughts about our Visit to Wegner Crystal Mines
Our excursion to Wegner Crystal Mines proved to be an enchanting adventure, turning a regular day into an extraordinary gem hunt for our kids. Unlike the dark gravel at the Crater of Diamonds State Park, Wegner offered a vibrant landscape filled with crystals, ensuring that our children had an unforgettable experience. The staff at Wegner Crystal Mines lived up to their reputation, displaying friendliness and patience, especially with our children. Our research into the crystal mines near Mt Ida Arkansas led us to Wegner, and it certainly lived up to its billing as the best choice for families. The 2-hour crystal tailings digging experience was reasonably priced and provided excellent value for the unique adventure it offered. The crystal mining tools needed were simple – a five-gallon bucket, a hand shovel, and gloves – making the experience accessible to everyone, even young children. In conclusion, Wegner Crystal Mines exceeded our expectations, providing not only a fantastic gem-hunting experience but also solidifying its reputation as the best crystal mine in Arkansas for families.