North Fork Clearwater River: Gold Prospecting in Clearwater County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

North Fork Clearwater River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Clearwater County, Idaho. Reported finds include gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Clearwater County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Pierce-Supirior Road
Coordinates: 46.72176, -115.26849

Geology at North Fork Clearwater River

This spot sits on Prichard Formation (?), Boehl's Butte area, schist and gneiss, mapped as quartz-muscovite-biotite schist, quartz-biotite-muscovite schist, and muscovite-biotite-gneiss micaceous quartzite that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Gold in metamorphic belts like this is typically tied to quartz veins and shear zones, with placer color in the creeks that cut them.

Mapped unit: Prichard Formation (?), Boehl's Butte area, schist and gneiss
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: quartz-muscovite-biotite schist, quartz-biotite-muscovite schist, and muscovite-biotite-gneiss micaceous quartzite
Elevation: 2,710 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.

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 North Fork Clearwater River

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Gold Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of North Fork Clearwater River.

Across the state line from North Fork Clearwater River

North Fork Clearwater River 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.

North Fork Clearwater River FAQ

Where is North Fork Clearwater River?+

North Fork Clearwater River is in Clearwater County, Idaho, at 46.72176, -115.26849. Nearest road: Pierce-Supirior Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at North Fork Clearwater River?+

North Fork Clearwater River is reported to produce Gold.

Is collecting allowed at North Fork Clearwater River?+

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 North Fork Clearwater River?+

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.

How do I get to North Fork Clearwater River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.72176, -115.26849 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Pierce-Supirior Road.

More rockhounding in Idaho

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Open North Fork Clearwater River on the map

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