Yellow Pine: Opal Rockhounding in Valley County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Valley County
State: Idaho
Nearest road: Stibnite Road
Postcode: 83677
Coordinates: 44.96460, -115.47883

Geology at Yellow Pine

This spot sits on Idaho batholith, biotite granodiorite, mapped as muscovite-biotite granite and muscovite-biotite granodiorite that formed roughly 100 to 66 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: Idaho batholith, biotite granodiorite
Age: 100–66 Ma (Late Cretaceous)
Rock types: muscovite-biotite granite and muscovite-biotite granodiorite
Elevation: 5,330 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 Yellow Pine

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, YELLOWPINE station (1 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 Yellow Pine

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

Opal Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Yellow Pine.

Across the state line from Yellow Pine

Yellow Pine 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.

Lower Inmaha RiverWallowa County, Oregon · 70 mi awayAgate, Prase

Yellow Pine FAQ

Where is Yellow Pine?+

Yellow Pine is in Valley County, Idaho, at 44.96460, -115.47883. Nearest road: Stibnite Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Yellow Pine?+

Yellow Pine is reported to produce Opal.

Is collecting allowed at Yellow Pine?+

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 Yellow Pine?+

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 Yellow Pine?+

The most comfortable months at Yellow Pine are March to October.

How do I get to Yellow Pine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.96460, -115.47883 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Stibnite Road.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 115 Idaho spots →

Open Yellow Pine on the map

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