Little Squaw Creek: Fire Opal Rockhounding in Owyhee County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Little Squaw Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Owyhee County, Idaho. Reported finds include fire opal. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Owyhee County
State: Idaho
Coordinates: 43.39166, -116.84852

Geology at Little Squaw Creek

This spot sits on Debris-flow, landslide, and brecciated parts of the Jump Creek rhyolite vent areas, mapped as sand;gravel;breccia;rhyolite that formed roughly 23 to 5 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit: Debris-flow, landslide, and brecciated parts of the Jump Creek rhyolite vent areas
Age: 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
Rock types: sand;gravel;breccia;rhyolite
Elevation: 3,990 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 Little Squaw Creek

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 90°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ROCKVILLE 5 N station (13 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 Little Squaw Creek

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

Fire Opal Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Little Squaw Creek.

Across the state line from Little Squaw Creek

Little Squaw Creek 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.

Little Squaw Creek FAQ

Where is Little Squaw Creek?+

Little Squaw Creek is in Owyhee County, Idaho, at 43.39166, -116.84852.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Little Squaw Creek?+

Little Squaw Creek is reported to produce Fire Opal.

Is collecting allowed at Little Squaw 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 Little Squaw Creek?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Little Squaw Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Little Squaw Creek are March to November.

How do I get to Little Squaw Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.39166, -116.84852 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 115 Idaho spots →

Open Little Squaw Creek on the map

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