Donnelly: Blue Topaz Rockhounding in Valley County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Donnelly is a mapped rockhounding spot in Valley County, Idaho. Reported finds include blue topaz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Valley County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Wallace Lane
Postcode: 83615
Coordinates: 44.74446, -116.05835

Geology at Donnelly

This spot sits on Surficial deposits, mapped as sand and gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Surficial deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: sand and gravel
Elevation: 4,860 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 Donnelly

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 32°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 13°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MCCALL station (10 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 Donnelly

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

Blue Topaz Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Donnelly.

Across the state line from Donnelly

Donnelly 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.

Donnelly FAQ

Where is Donnelly?+

Donnelly is in Valley County, Idaho, at 44.74446, -116.05835. Nearest road: Wallace Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Donnelly?+

Donnelly is reported to produce Blue Topaz.

Is collecting allowed at Donnelly?+

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 Donnelly?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Donnelly?+

The most comfortable months at Donnelly are April to October.

How do I get to Donnelly?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.74446, -116.05835 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Wallace Lane.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 115 Idaho spots →

Open Donnelly on the map

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