Can anyone suggest a great place to dig for your own quartz in Arkansas? We've never actually gone inside acmine and think that will get better rocks there.

We're also considering horseback riding and other activities within a 50 mile radius of Hot Springs

Mount Ida has some places to dig.
Go to the lake and rent a boat or kayak, Ouchita is a beautiful lake.

Ouachita is also on federal land and activites there are regulated by the Code of Federal Regulations Part 327 which, among other regulations, prohibits destruction of public property which I'm fairly sure includes removal of rocks and other natural features.

The diamond mine is only about 60 miles from Hot Springs.

But the bathhouses are my favorite part of Hot Springs! That stuff really soothes aching joints.

The lakes around there are great for kayaking and fishing. We rented a house on the water and the kids had a blast catching pan fish with worms.

My favorite part of Hot Springs is http://www.garvangardens.org. Hands down. They have a fun scavenger hunt for the kids. Great place for hiking around.

We went to Coleman Quartz Mine during spring break about 30 years ago and it was a decent deal. You pay $20 per day for adults and $5 for kids over 6. You get to keep whatever you find. When we were there, they had huge piles of dirt with quartz mixed in. About once an hour, they would bring out a front end loader with another load of tailings. https://colemanquartz.com/pages/public-mining

I would skip the diamond mine with kids. Or maybe go there for an hour or so just to check the box. You are extremely unlikely to find a diamond there. Most of the diamonds found there are by locals who bring in special equipment and work really hard at it. Kids will find all the crystals they want and more at one of the quartz mines.

Thank you! We're going there for sure. We both love gems and minerals and we are going to decorate our beloved pet's new grave with the findings.

Some of my rock and mineral specimens came from all over the ouachitas and mines. I'd also advise skipping diamond mine and spending your time at the quartz mines. Lots of fun. Plenty of road cuts to get specimens only available in Arkansas and very specific locales. Quarts, pyrite, magnetite, etc.

Coleman's mines in Jessieville is easy to find and enjoyable. It is basically large piles of dirt to dig though and like others have said you keep what you find. If it is after a rain you will be very muddy when you are done.

The diamond mine is not a "mine". We went out after we moved to AR and thought it was a "mine" as well. It is a large field where the earth did its thing and spewed diamonds in the area. They plow it to turn the soil, and you get to dig through it. About once a year someone finds a big diamond, and there are retired locals that come out almost everyday and will show you their previous finds.

Spring and fall are the best for both as you will be sitting in the dirt digging, scraping and sifting. Both of our daughters loved it when they were younger.

Edit: If you don't find anything, there are several rock shops to buy something to display.

Not sure about other stables, but there are some at lake DeGray state park. If it is fall or winter there are a few pairs of bald eagles around the lake.

https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/degray-lake-resort-state-park/things-to-do/horseback-riding

Last one for the night, but the Winona scenic drive is great in the fall,as the leaves are changing. A car can make it most of the time, but a small sport ute might be better. Pack a lunch and picnic on one of the vistas. There may be vehicles parked along the side of the road when bow season starts through then and the end of modern gun.

http://www.exploretheozarksonline.com/activities/parksnature/nationalforests/ouachita/jessieville/winonatour.html

https://travelingarkansan.com/winona-scenic-drive-f354114b10b4