Gold near Idaho Falls, ID
9 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Idaho Falls report gold. The closest is Hailey, about 115 miles out (2 hr 24 min drive).
Recreational gold collecting means panning placer gravels where moving water has concentrated heavy flakes and the occasional nugget, or working the dumps of historic lode districts.
Map of 9 gold collecting spots within 150 miles of Idaho Falls, Idaho
Closest gold spots to Idaho Falls
- HaileyBlaine County, Idaho115 mi · 2 hr 24 min driveGalena, Gold, Monzonite
- Virginia CityMadison County, Montana123 mi · 2 hr 34 min driveGarnet, Gold
- GardinerPark County, Montana128 mi · 2 hr 41 min driveArsenopyrite, Gold
- JardinePark County, Montana129 mi · 2 hr 41 min driveArsenic, Gold, Tungsten
- Raft River MountainsBox Elder County, Utah135 mi · 2 hr 48 min driveGold, Arsenopyrite, Chalcopyrite
- Kirwin MinePark County, Wyoming140 mi · 2 hr 55 min driveAzurite, Barite, Chalcopyrite
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Idaho Falls
Sorted by distance from Idaho Falls. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HaileyCroy Creek Road | Blaine County |
| 43.4993, -114.3363 | Public |
| Virginia CityGrant Mine | Madison County | 45.2758, -111.9512 | Public | |
| GardinerSin Nombre Road | Park County | 45.0443, -110.6063 | Public | |
| JardineCrevice Top Road | Park County |
| 45.0472, -110.5953 | Public |
| Raft River Mountains | Box Elder County | 41.8742, -113.5085 | Public | |
| Kirwin MineWood River | Park County | 43.8746, -109.2848 | Public | |
| Vipont MineBirch Creek Road | Box Elder County | 41.9657, -113.8459 | Public | |
| Owl Creek | Fremont County | 43.7110, -109.1956 | Public | |
| Pole Creek | Madison County | 45.5769, -111.5247 | Public |
Gold near Idaho Falls FAQ
Where can I find gold near Idaho Falls?+
9 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Idaho Falls report gold. The closest is Hailey in Blaine County County, roughly 115 miles away (2 hr 24 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Idaho Falls?+
9 of the 9 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Do I need a permit to pan for gold?+
Hand panning is generally allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land that is not under an active mining claim, with no permit needed for pans and hand tools. Sluices and dredges fall under state rules and often do need permits. Check claim maps before working a creek: panning someone's claim is theft.
How far from Idaho Falls do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 115 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 146 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Idaho Falls
Gold near other cities
Hunt gold around Idaho Falls with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
