Shoshone: Opalized Wood Rockhounding in Lincoln County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Lincoln County
State: Idaho
Coordinates: 42.95184, -114.46224

Geology at Shoshone

This spot sits on Alluvium of mainstreams, mapped as sand;pebble gravel;coarse gravel that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Alluvium of mainstreams
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Rock types: sand;pebble gravel;coarse gravel
Elevation: 3,860 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 Shoshone

Best months: March to June. Typical highs run 94°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SHOSHONE 1 WNW station (2 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 Shoshone

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 Shoshone.

Across the state line from Shoshone

Shoshone 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.

Shoshone FAQ

Where is Shoshone?+

Shoshone is in Lincoln County, Idaho, at 42.95184, -114.46224.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Shoshone?+

Shoshone is reported to produce Opalized Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Shoshone?+

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 Shoshone?+

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 Shoshone?+

The most comfortable months at Shoshone are March to June.

How do I get to Shoshone?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.95184, -114.46224 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 117 Idaho spots →

Open Shoshone on the map

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