Sturgill Creek: Manganese Rockhounding in Washington County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Sturgill Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Washington County, Idaho. Reported finds include manganese. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Washington County
State: Idaho
Coordinates: 44.66396, -117.04636

Geology at Sturgill Creek

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: 2,800 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 Sturgill Creek

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 90°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, RICHLAND station (9 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 Sturgill Creek

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

Manganese Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Sturgill Creek.

Across the state line from Sturgill Creek

Sturgill 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.

Sturgill Creek FAQ

Where is Sturgill Creek?+

Sturgill Creek is in Washington County, Idaho, at 44.66396, -117.04636.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Sturgill Creek?+

Sturgill Creek is reported to produce Manganese.

Is collecting allowed at Sturgill 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 Sturgill Creek?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Sturgill Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Sturgill Creek are March to November.

How do I get to Sturgill Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.66396, -117.04636 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 115 Idaho spots →

Open Sturgill Creek on the map

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