Antelope Creek area: Geode Digging in Butte County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Antelope Creek area is a mapped rockhounding spot in Butte County, Idaho. Reported finds include geode, quartz, amethyst. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Butte County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Antelope Creek Road
Coordinates: 43.69991, -113.56941

Geology at Antelope Creek area

This spot sits on Deposits of major fill of Pinedale age along main streams, mapped as pebble gravel;cobble gravel;sand that formed within roughly the last 129,000 years. Geodes weather out of their host rock and collect in gravels like these, where their round shape and light heft help them stand out.

Mapped unit: Deposits of major fill of Pinedale age along main streams
Age: < 1 Ma (Late Pleistocene)
Rock types: pebble gravel;cobble gravel;sand
Elevation: 6,030 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 Antelope Creek area

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 28°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 4°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ARCO station (14 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 Antelope Creek area

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 Antelope Creek area.

Antelope Creek area FAQ

Where is Antelope Creek area?+

Antelope Creek area is in Butte County, Idaho, at 43.69991, -113.56941. Nearest road: Antelope Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Antelope Creek area?+

Antelope Creek area is reported to produce Geode, Quartz, Amethyst.

Is collecting allowed at Antelope Creek area?+

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 Antelope Creek area?+

Bring a crack hammer, a chisel, safety glasses, and a bucket. Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rock; a soil pipe cutter opens them cleaner than a flat smash.

When is the best time to visit Antelope Creek area?+

The most comfortable months at Antelope Creek area are April to October.

How do I get to Antelope Creek area?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.69991, -113.56941 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Antelope Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 115 Idaho spots →

Open Antelope Creek area on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.