Upper Priest Lake: Gold Prospecting in Bonner County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bonner County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Navigation Trail
Coordinates: 48.79915, -116.91555

Geology at Upper Priest Lake

This spot sits on Glacial and alluvial deposits, mapped as sand and gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Stream-worked gravels like these are where placer gold tends to concentrate, settling toward bedrock, inside gravel bars, and behind boulders.

Mapped unit: Glacial and alluvial deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: sand and gravel
Elevation: 2,450 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 Upper Priest Lake

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PORTHILL station (23 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 Upper 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 Upper Priest Lake.

Across the state line from Upper Priest Lake

Upper 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.

Upper Priest Lake FAQ

Where is Upper Priest Lake?+

Upper Priest Lake is in Bonner County, Idaho, at 48.79915, -116.91555. Nearest road: Navigation Trail.

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

Upper Priest Lake is reported to produce Gold, Feldspar, Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Upper 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 Upper Priest Lake?+

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 Upper Priest Lake?+

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

How do I get to Upper Priest Lake?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 48.79915, -116.91555 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Navigation Trail.

More rockhounding in Idaho

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Open Upper Priest Lake on the map

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