Ouachita National Forest general quartz collecting
Mount Ida, Arkansas
quartz crystalsnovaculitesmall geodes
Public land, rules apply · Free with permit
Ouachita National Forest general quartz collecting
Away from Crystal Vista, the forest permits visitors to occasionally remove small amounts of material by hand from surface exposures of rock and quartz veins, all of it for personal use and none of it for sale. Parts of the forest sit under mining claims, contracts, permits and leases, where the holder's permission is required before you touch anything. Organized group collecting events need a written proposal to the District Ranger and may require a reclamation bond, so this is not a show-up-and-swing-a-pick arrangement.
The card catalog
| What you can find | quartz crystals, novaculite, small geodes |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Free with permit |
| Fees | no charge, but the forest requires advance contact with the applicable ranger district and says a permit may be required |
| Season & hours | year-round; call the Womble/Caddo-Womble Ranger District at (870) 867-2101 before planning a day around a specific outcrop |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Legal and low-key for families as long as you stick to surface picking, but there is no developed site, parking or restroom - Crystal Vista is the version of this with a trailhead. |
| Official source | USDA Forest Service, Ouachita National Forest |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Ouachita National Forest general quartz collecting cost?
no charge, but the forest requires advance contact with the applicable ranger district and says a permit may be required Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Ouachita National Forest general quartz collecting open?
year-round; call the Womble/Caddo-Womble Ranger District at (870) 867-2101 before planning a day around a specific outcrop Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Ouachita National Forest general quartz collecting good for kids?
Yes — Ouachita National Forest general quartz collecting works for families. Legal and low-key for families as long as you stick to surface picking, but there is no developed site, parking or restroom - Crystal Vista is the version of this with a trailhead.