Priest Lake: Quartz & Feldspar Rockhounding in Bonner County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Priest Lake is a mapped rockhounding spot in Bonner County, Idaho. Reported finds include quartz, feldspar. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bonner County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Reeder Bay Road
Postcode: 83848
Coordinates: 48.63006, -116.88369

Geology at Priest Lake

This spot sits on Glacial and alluvial deposits, mapped as sand and gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Glacial and alluvial deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: sand and gravel
Elevation: 2,470 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 Priest Lake

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 31°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PRIEST RVR EXP STN station (19 mi away).

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 Priest Lake

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 Priest Lake.

Across the state line from Priest Lake

Priest Lake 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.

Priest Lake FAQ

Where is Priest Lake?+

Priest Lake is in Bonner County, Idaho, at 48.63006, -116.88369. Nearest road: Reeder Bay Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Priest Lake?+

Priest Lake is reported to produce Quartz, Feldspar.

Is collecting allowed at Priest Lake?+

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 Priest Lake?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Priest Lake?+

The most comfortable months at Priest Lake are March to October.

How do I get to Priest Lake?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 48.63006, -116.88369 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Reeder Bay Road.

More rockhounding in Idaho

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Open Priest Lake on the map

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