Rockhounding in Idaho: The Complete Guide

Idaho isn't called the "Gem State" for nothing. From the famous star garnets of the Panhandle to fire opals in the Owyhee Desert, Idaho offers some of the best rockhounding opportunities in the American West.

Star Garnets: Idaho's Signature Gem

Idaho is one of only two places in the world where star garnets are found (the other is India). These unique gems display a 4- or 6-ray star pattern when polished. The best locations are near Fernwood and Emerald Creek in the St. Joe National Forest.

Emerald Creek Garnet Area

The Emerald Creek Garnet Area is a designated fee-dig site operated by the U.S. Forest Service. For a small fee ($10-15 per person), you can dig for garnets in pre-screened gravel. Reservations are recommended and can be made through Recreation.gov.

Pro Tip: Timing Matters

The Emerald Creek site is typically open from late May through September. Early in the season, the gravel is fresh and yields are higher. Bring your own screens, buckets, and shovels—some tools are available for rent on-site.

Opals in the Owyhee

The Owyhee Mountains in southwestern Idaho are famous for fire opals, blue opals, and common opal. The remote areas around Spencer and Bruneau have produced some stunning specimens. Note that much of the Owyhee region is on BLM land, so be sure to check land ownership before collecting.

Spencer Opal Mines

The Spencer Opal Mines near the Idaho-Montana border is a popular fee-dig site. For a small fee, you can collect opals from pre-blasted material. The site is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Agates, Jaspers & Petrified Wood

Idaho's deserts and river valleys are rich with agates, jaspers, and petrified wood. Popular areas include:

Graveyard Point: Near the Oregon border, known for exceptional plume agate and thundereggs.
Bruneau River: Famous for Bruneau jasper with its distinctive cream and brown banding.
Snake River Gravels: Throughout southern Idaho, the Snake River deposits contain agates, jaspers, and petrified wood.
Clarkia: One of the world's premier fossil leaf localities, where 15-million-year-old leaves are preserved in lake sediments.

Gold Panning & Prospecting

Idaho has a rich gold mining history, and recreational gold panning is legal on most public lands. The Boise Basin, Elk City, and Warren areas were historically major gold producers and still yield color for recreational panners.

No permit is required for recreational panning on most National Forest land (no motorized equipment)
Check for active mining claims before digging—the BLM maintains a mining claims database
The Mores Creek drainage near Idaho City is a popular and accessible panning location

Essential Rockhounding Gear

Rock hammer: A pointed rock pick for breaking specimens
Chisels: For prying material from bedrock
Buckets and screens: For washing and sorting gravel
Eye protection: Always wear safety glasses when hammering
GPS or maps: Many sites are remote with limited cell service
Water and snacks: Most locations have no facilities

Rules & Etiquette

Collect only on public land (BLM, National Forest) unless you have landowner permission
Observe posted closures and respect active mining claims
Pack out all trash and leave the area better than you found it
Most public lands allow "reasonable amounts" for personal use (no commercial collection)
Research state and federal regulations before collecting—some fossils and artifacts are protected

Resources & Further Reading

For detailed site information, consider joining the Idaho Gem Club or picking up a copy of the "Rockhounding Idaho" guidebook by Garret Romaine. The BLM Idaho website also provides information on collecting on public lands.