Banner Silver Mines: Gold Prospecting in Boise County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Banner Silver Mines is a mapped rockhounding spot in Boise County, Idaho. Reported finds include gold, silver, pyrargyrite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Boise County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Usfs 384J
Coordinates: 44.01886, -115.53267

Geology at Banner Silver Mines

This spot sits on Biotite granodiorite, mapped as biotite granodiorite;granite that formed roughly 145 to 66 million years ago. Gold in granitic terrain like this is typically tied to quartz veins along contacts and shear zones, with placer color in the streams that drain them.

Mapped unit: Biotite granodiorite
Age: 145–66 Ma (Cretaceous)
Rock types: biotite granodiorite;granite
Elevation: 6,060 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 Banner Silver Mines

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LOWMAN station (6 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 Banner Silver Mines

Each chip 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 Banner Silver Mines.

Banner Silver Mines FAQ

Where is Banner Silver Mines?+

Banner Silver Mines is in Boise County, Idaho, at 44.01886, -115.53267. Nearest road: Usfs 384J.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Banner Silver Mines?+

Banner Silver Mines is reported to produce Gold, Silver, Pyrargyrite.

Is collecting allowed at Banner Silver Mines?+

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 Banner Silver Mines?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Banner Silver Mines?+

The most comfortable months at Banner Silver Mines are April to October.

How do I get to Banner Silver Mines?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.01886, -115.53267 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Usfs 384J.

More rockhounding in Idaho

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Open Banner Silver Mines on the map

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