Agatha: Opal & Opalized Wood Rockhounding in Nez Perce County, Idaho

Updated July 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Nez Perce County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Bed Rock Road
Coordinates: 46.52776, -116.57541

Geology at Agatha

This spot sits on Grande Ronde Basalt, mapped as basalt that formed roughly 23 to 5 million years ago. 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: Grande Ronde Basalt
Age: 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
Rock types: basalt
Elevation: 1,090 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 Agatha

Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 27°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DWORSHAK FISH HATCHERY station (12 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 Agatha

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 Agatha.

Across the state line from Agatha

Agatha 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.

Agatha FAQ

Where is Agatha?+

Agatha is in Nez Perce County, Idaho, at 46.52776, -116.57541. Nearest road: Bed Rock Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Agatha?+

Agatha is reported to produce Opal, Opalized Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Agatha?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Agatha?+

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 Agatha?+

The most comfortable months at Agatha are February to November.

How do I get to Agatha?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.52776, -116.57541 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Bed Rock Road.

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