Clover Creek: Opalized Wood Rockhounding in Gooding County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Clover Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Gooding County, Idaho. Reported finds include opalized wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Gooding County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: 1150 South
Coordinates: 43.03308, -114.95816

Geology at Clover Creek

This spot sits on Basalt of Lye Lake, mapped as basalt that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Petrified wood typically comes from volcanic ash beds like the ones associated with this ground, where buried forests were slowly replaced by silica.

Mapped unit: Basalt of Lye Lake
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene)
Rock types: basalt
Elevation: 3,250 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 Clover Creek

Best months: March to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 37°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HAGERMAN 2 SW station (15 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 Clover Creek

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

Opalized Wood Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Clover Creek.

Clover Creek FAQ

Where is Clover Creek?+

Clover Creek is in Gooding County, Idaho, at 43.03308, -114.95816. Nearest road: 1150 South.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Clover Creek?+

Clover Creek is reported to produce Opalized Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Clover Creek?+

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 Clover Creek?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Clover Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Clover Creek are March to June.

How do I get to Clover Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.03308, -114.95816 in Google Maps. The nearest road is 1150 South.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 117 Idaho spots →

Open Clover Creek on the map

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