Murfreesboro, Ark. — With an upcoming eclipse set to traverse North America next month, attracting an estimated 31.6 million viewers along its path of totality, various venues are gearing up to provide opportunities for experiencing this cosmic phenomenon. Among them is Crater of Diamonds State Park, renowned for its unique “finders keepers” public diamond dig.
On Monday, April 8, the Crater of Diamonds State Park, located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, encompassing seven acres of an eroded volcanic crater, will serve as a prime location for witnessing the 2024 Great North American Eclipse, offering tickets for a dedicated viewing event.
The eclipse is scheduled to commence at 12:30 p.m. and conclude at 3:08 p.m., with complete totality occurring between 1:47 p.m. and 1:51 p.m., as per the park’s announcement.
The event duration, as listed on the ticketing website, spans from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ticket prices are set at $15 for adults and $7 for children, excluding a nominal fee.
Each individual must possess a ticket for entry into the park on April 8. Children aged five and under can enter for free but must be included in the ticket purchase for admission.
Due to potential lack of cell phone service, attendees are advised to either download or print their tickets in advance and have them ready for verification from their vehicles at the park entrance on the event day.
Upon entry on April 8, visitors are permitted to explore various sections of the park, including the diamond search area. However, re-entry onto Arkansas Highway 301 will not be allowed until after 3 p.m., according to park regulations.
Attendees are encouraged to bring along snacks, water, as well as equipment such as buckets, shovels, wagons, and sifting screens for diamond searching activities before the eclipse event.
Refreshments will be available for purchase at the Visitor Center, alongside rental options for mining equipment, subject to availability. However, these items are anticipated to sell out in the days leading up to and including the event day.
The park administration has issued several safety recommendations for event attendees, including maintaining communication within groups, establishing designated meeting spots and times, being cautious during the eclipse’s totality due to the dim lighting it produces, and wearing appropriate eye protection.
Special solar eclipse glasses, designed to reduce visible light to safe levels for viewing partial eclipses, will be on sale at the Visitor Center while supplies last. The park emphasizes that regular sunglasses or welding masks with a shade number below 12 do not provide adequate eye protection.
Anticipating a surge in visitors on the eclipse day and preceding days, the park advises guests to plan ahead, leave early to account for traffic congestion and long queues.
While general park visitation will be restricted on April 8, there will be no limitations in the days leading up to or following the eclipse event.
Tickets must be purchased exclusively online through the provided link. The park emphasizes that tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable, and invalid if sold to third parties. Additionally, visitors are cautioned to remain vigilant against scams and fraudulent accounts purporting to sell admission to the Crater of Diamonds’ eclipse event.
