Shoshone County: Gold Prospecting in Shoshone County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Shoshone County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Big Creek Road
Coordinates: 47.50215, -116.07111

Geology at Shoshone County

This spot sits on Alluvial deposits, mapped as sand and gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Stream-worked gravels like these are where placer gold tends to concentrate, settling toward bedrock, inside gravel bars, and behind boulders.

Mapped unit: Alluvial deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: sand and gravel
Elevation: 2,600 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 County

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, KELLOGG station (4 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 Shoshone County

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 Shoshone County.

Across the state line from Shoshone County

Shoshone County 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 County FAQ

Where is Shoshone County?+

Shoshone County is in Shoshone County, Idaho, at 47.50215, -116.07111. Nearest road: Big Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Shoshone County?+

Shoshone County is reported to produce Gold, Lead, Silver.

Is collecting allowed at Shoshone County?+

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 County?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Shoshone County?+

The most comfortable months at Shoshone County are March to October.

How do I get to Shoshone County?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 47.50215, -116.07111 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Big Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Idaho

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Open Shoshone County on the map

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