Location: Mount Ida
Top Things to do in Mount Ida
Top 10 Things to do in Mount Ida, United States
Mount Ida is a city in and county seat of Montgomery County, Arkansas, United States. Founded in 1842, the city saw a silver boom in the 1880s bring early prosperity and economic development to the area. A slowly growing small town ever since, today, the economy is largely ranching, poultry farming, silviculture, and tourism around Lake Ouachita. It is officially known as the quartz crystal capital of the U.S. and is known worldwide for its quartz deposits. The population had grown to 1,076 by the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Mount Ida
1. Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 231 reviews
A great place for the family, where everyone is welcome and guaranteed to find crystals! Open 8:00-4:30, 7 days a week Crystal Forest Mine Digs: 2 hours, $15/person, trips leave at 9:30, 11:30, 1:30, arrive 15 minutes early to sign up + have a safety meeting Tailings Area: All day digging. $10.50/Adults, $6.60/Kids (under 10) + Seniors (62+), arrive by 2:00 pm for entrance Gemstone Sluice: $4.50 Sluice Fee, then buy by the pail! 5 Pails to choose from ranging in price at $5-$15/pail. Diamond Experience: $29/bag, Guaranteed to find 1/2 carat or more in total weight per bag = approx. 1-3 diamonds per bag.
Reviewed By Donald T
My wife and I decided to try the crystal forest and we were not disappointed. This was her first time searching for crystals and she had a lot of fun with all of her discoveries. Our guide Lance was very helpful and informative and made sure everyone had a great time, very professional , and some great conversations about how he got started at the mine. the ladies at the shop were also very helpful ,especially when we were cracking open some of the geodes. We will be back , for the phantom mine ,next time we drive up from Louisiana. Thank y'all very much for a very special day.
2. Two Spirits Ltd. Canoe Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
We offer Riverfront primitive campground and Mini Cabins w Air Condition, Indoor bathrooms w hot showers, Canoe and Kayak Rentals, Covered Pavilion for meals and trip packages with advance notice
Reviewed By Amy H - Saint Joseph, Louisiana
This is absolutely the best camping. For a very reasonable price, we had 10'x12' shelters, with A/C and electricity, and bunk beds. The price included meals, the amount depending on how many nights you stayed. Mr. Frank and Ms. Susan are wonderful people, very friendly and accommodating. They also have spots for tent camping, if needed. The Ouachita River was great!! The meals were awesome, all cooked on a grill and iron skillets. The chef wasn't too bad either.
3. Sweet Surrender Crystal Mine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
We are open 7 days and week and/or by appt. Give us a call to make sure we are going to be there. Then you can come play in the dirt.... You stay all day for one low price, keep all that you find and children under nine are free with paying adults.
Reviewed By Carol E - Leesburg, Virginia
We tried to mine here, but found a lot of broken quartz pieces. Sort of disappointing. There is no real path to get to a spot to mine, so you do have to be careful when walking and carrying items to your spot to mine. The lady was there to greet us and stayed until another couple arrived and then she left. So just us and another family were there unattended with anybody who officially runs the mine until about an hour and a half later when her husband arrived. If you really want some good quartz, either go to a rock shop and buy them or go to Twin Creek for mining.
4. Twin Creek Crystal Mine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
Twin Creek Crystal Mine, is a beautiful mine with loads of healing energy, and crystals, crystals, crystals.. bring your lunch and stay all day!!! Parking is right at the pit, shaded picnic tables, porta potty, and friendly hostesses!! We blast and bench the walls so that yall can really dig!! If you are an experienced rock hound, or just want to dig in our rich blast off piles, come on out!!! We got something for everyone!! Weekends get a Special dig for just $100 (we will use trackhoe to get you IN CRYSTALS!! or buy a whole pocket! Call for that! Group rates too!
Reviewed By Jim M
This is a great mine to dig in or just climb around looking for crystals laying on the surface. I have dug at the other mines around Mt Ida, but Twin Creek Crystal Mine is my choice!!! Digging out crystal pockets is tough and takes...MoreThank you so much for your kind words. We appreciate you and hope to see you back again real soon!!!
5. Front Porch Stage
Overall Ratings
5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Aimee G - Mount Ida, Arkansas
Looking for something to do in Mt. Ida AR on a Saturday night? May through October, the Front Porch Stage provides an outdoor concert every Sat night!! They offer a wide range of music genres Gospel to Rock and Roll with a little Jazz or Bluegrass thrown in! Whoever is playing, it's a guaranteed Good Time! Bring your chairs or blankets, bring the family (room to run for the kids!) and make new friends! Jerry Babbitt is to be congratulated on keeping things running smoothly and his darling wife Jane runs the Back Porch Concession stand. And, of course, you simply must peruse the merchandise at the Possums Unlimited table, perhaps try their Potted Possum Meat? At intermission about half-way through the night they take up a collection (Donation Only) to pay the band and you give what you can (And most, if not all, are happy to give!!) It runs from 7pm until about 9pm so it is not a late night. Just lots of toe-tappin' good times!! I'll be back!
6. Judy's Crystals & Things
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Aimee G - Mount Ida, Arkansas
Whether you want to Dig-Your-Own or buy them outright, Judy Morton offers it all! Judy herself is there most days, full of knowledge and smiles to share. You may pay (quite reasonable I might add!) to dig on Fisher Mountain, down the street from her shop or if you are not in the mood or prepared to get 'dirty', then her shop is bursting at the seams with wonderful rocks and crystals. Judy AND her shop are a Real Gem in our community!
7. Real Earth Creations
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
We are a rock shop in the heart of crystal country, near Mount Ida, Arkansas. We sell quartz crystal and other minerals found in the local area and have hundreds of other rocks, minerals and fossils from around the world. We also sell hand made jewelry and a selection of other natural and handmade items. Other services include: Rock cutting; cabochon making; wire wrapping; information on where to mine your own quartz crystals and methods for digging and cleaning.
Reviewed By Micki M - Benbrook, Texas
We visited the Real Earth Creations Rock shop while on a trip to Hot Springs. This place has a HUGE selection of rocks - polished and "raw" - as well as other natural artifacts and fossils (sharks teeth, petrified wood, etc.) from all over the world. There are finished jewelry pieces, also. Outside the building are various piles of stone, including quartz from the area, where you can choose your own pieces and buy them by the pound. My husband is the collector, and we spent quite some time there so he could look at everything before he made his choice of a piece of quartz from the immediate area. They didn't have a quartz sphere of the size we wanted, but they have a website to keep in touch, and also take requests for specific items to watch for. Anyone searching for nature's beauty should definitely visit Real Earth Creations Rocks & Minerals and Gift Shop!
8. Turtle Cove Spa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Singinchristy
If you are in the area of Lake Ouachita or staying at the Mountain Harbor family of resorts this is a MUST visit!! The Spa is nestled into the peaceful Ouachita National Forest. The massage therapist was kind, gentle, and understanding of my personal needs. The prices are reasonable and it was very easy to book online. I will consider planning a future trip to include a SPA visit!
9. Ouachita Artists Gallery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Ouachita Artists Gallery represents artists from Montgomery and surrounding counties in Arkansas. You will find art in many mediums along with crafts in wood, iron, jewelry, and other art forms. We represent artists who show in other galleries both in-state and out. Classes are taught throughout the year for young and adults. Because Mount Ida is the crystal center of the world, you will find beautiful crystal jewelry. Take time to browse and take home with you a piece of Arkansas.
Reviewed By Mary T - Parker, Colorado
What a pleasant surprise to find such a treasure in such a small place. The artists in the area have represented the rural scenes beautifully. I was so pleased to take home a lovely painting. I have been back several times and am always impressed by the new additions to their work. I took an art class, and it was informative and fun. I also came away with a finished project. Check this place out. You'll be glad you did.
10. Crystal Vista
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Martha S - Gladewater, Texas
it;s worth the drive! i found a perfect crystal, on the ground, when we got out of the car! it is an uphill climb, to the old dig site. there were several deeper holes, where others had dug. we dug until we were tired. we found alot of smaller crystals. it is a pretty walk, up to the site. i don't believe you are supposed to drive up to it, but there was a four wheel drive pick up, that came down, as we were walking up. it is free- it's an old crystal mine sight, reclaimed by the forestry service.
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