Lewiston: Agate & Aquamarine Rockhounding in Nez Perce County, Idaho
- Minerals reported
- 5
- Elevation
- 1,060 ft
- Best months
- February to June
Lewiston is a mapped rockhounding spot in Nez Perce County, Idaho. Reported finds include agate, aquamarine, garnet, gold, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Nez Perce County
- State
- Idaho
- Nearest road
- Eaton Road
- Coordinates
- 46.45324, -116.94458
Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.
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.
Best time to visit Lewiston
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 32°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LEWISTON AP station (6 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at Lewiston
This spot sits on Grande Ronde Basalt, mapped as basalt that formed roughly 23 to 5 million years ago. Gold in volcanic terrain like this is usually tied to old vein systems and the gravels that drain them, so nearby washes tend to carry the color.
- Mapped unit
- Grande Ronde Basalt
- Age
- 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
- Rock types
- basalt
- Elevation
- 1,060 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.
Today's weather
Is today a good day to go?
The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Lewiston.
Get the appSources & 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:
- Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Emerald Creek
- Idaho Geological Survey
- Spencer Opal Mines (fee-dig operator)
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Lewiston
Each name 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 Lewiston.
- Clearwater RiverNez Perce County, Idaho · 1 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Chert
- AgathaNez Perce County, Idaho · 18 mi awayOpal, Opalized Wood
- MoscowLatah County, Idaho · 24 mi awayOpal
- Boulder CreekLatah County, Idaho · 32 mi awayGarnet
- Mica MountainLatah County, Idaho · 36 mi awayGreen Beryl, Biotite, Muscovite
- Purdue & Canyon CreeksLatah County, Idaho · 42 mi awayRed Garnet
- East Fork Emerald CreekLatah County, Idaho · 48 mi awayStar Garnet
- Carpenter CreekBenewah County, Idaho · 48 mi awayStaurolite
Across the state line from Lewiston
Lewiston 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.
- ClarkstonAsotin County, Washington · 8 mi awayGold
- Snake RiverAsotin County, Washington · 11 mi awayGold
- Snake RiverAsotin County, Washington · 13 mi awayFire Opal
- Bald ButteWhitman County, Washington · 14 mi awaySmoky Quartz
- PullmanWhitman County, Washington · 23 mi awayFire Opal
- Snake RiverGarfield County, Washington · 33 mi awayGold
Lewiston FAQ
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More rockhounding in Idaho
See all 117 Idaho spots →Open Lewiston on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.





