Little Wood River: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Blaine County, Idaho
- Minerals reported
- 3
- Elevation
- 5,010 ft
- Best months
- March to October
Little Wood River is the strongest Blaine County pick because the same drainage is listed for green and moss agate by Idaho Department of Lands and has Mindat specimen records from the Little Wood Reservoir area. Its agate, chalcedony, and jasper add a useful south-central Idaho counterpoint to the better-known Owyhee localities. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Blaine County
- State
- Idaho
- Coordinates
- 43.39252, -113.99737
Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.
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.
Access note: Use open public access along the Little Wood River and nearby reservoir area. Verify parcel ownership and seasonal road conditions before collecting.
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.
Best time to visit Little Wood River
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 31°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PICABO station (7 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at Little Wood River
This spot sits on Alluvial deposits, mapped as gravel, sand, and silt that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.
- Mapped unit
- Alluvial deposits
- Age
- 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
- Rock types
- gravel, sand, and silt
- Elevation
- 5,010 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.
Today's weather
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The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Little Wood River.
Get the appSources & 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:
- 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 Wood River
Each name opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Little Wood River.
- CareyBlaine County, Idaho · 11 mi awayJasper, Moss Agate
- HaileyBlaine County, Idaho · 19 mi awayGalena, Gold, Monzonite
- BellevueBlaine County, Idaho · 23 mi awayGalena, Dufrenoysite, Magnetite
- Hyndman PeakBlaine County, Idaho · 25 mi awayTourmaline
- KetchumBlaine County, Idaho · 25 mi awayTetrahedrite, Arsenopyrite, Galena
- Wildhorse CanyonCuster County, Idaho · 26 mi awayQuartz
- Poison CreekCuster County, Idaho · 28 mi awayCommon Opal
- Antelope Creek areaButte County, Idaho · 30 mi awayGeode, Quartz, Amethyst
Little Wood River FAQ
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