Little Goose Creek Canyon: Diamond Rockhounding in Adams County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Little Goose Creek Canyon is a mapped rockhounding spot in Adams County, Idaho. Reported finds include diamond. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Adams County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: ID 55
Coordinates: 44.96649, -116.18282

Geology at Little Goose Creek Canyon

This spot sits on Salmon River suture zone complex, heterogeneous orthogneiss complex, mapped as hornblende tonalite gneiss, porphyritic granodiorite gneiss, and biotite granodiorite gneiss that formed roughly 100 to 66 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: Salmon River suture zone complex, heterogeneous orthogneiss complex
Age: 100–66 Ma (Late Cretaceous)
Rock types: hornblende tonalite gneiss, porphyritic granodiorite gneiss, and biotite granodiorite gneiss
Elevation: 4,700 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Little Goose Creek Canyon

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 27°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NEW MEADOWS RS station (5 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Idaho Panhandle National Forests — Emerald Creek
Idaho Geological Survey
Spencer Opal Mines (fee-dig operator)
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Little Goose Creek Canyon

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Diamond Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Little Goose Creek Canyon.

Across the state line from Little Goose Creek Canyon

Little Goose Creek Canyon is close enough to the Idaho border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Little Goose Creek Canyon FAQ

Where is Little Goose Creek Canyon?+

Little Goose Creek Canyon is in Adams County, Idaho, at 44.96649, -116.18282. Nearest road: ID 55.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Little Goose Creek Canyon?+

Little Goose Creek Canyon is reported to produce Diamond.

Is collecting allowed at Little Goose Creek Canyon?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Little Goose Creek Canyon?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Little Goose Creek Canyon?+

The most comfortable months at Little Goose Creek Canyon are April to October.

How do I get to Little Goose Creek Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.96649, -116.18282 in Google Maps. The nearest road is ID 55.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 115 Idaho spots →

Open Little Goose Creek Canyon on the map

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