Clarkston: Gold Prospecting in Asotin County, Washington

Updated June 2026

Clarkston is a mapped rockhounding spot in Asotin County, Washington. Reported finds include gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Asotin County
State: Washington
Nearest road: Evans Road
Postcode: 99403
Coordinates: 46.40326, -117.10281

Geology at Clarkston

This spot sits on alluvium, 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: alluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: sand and gravel
Elevation: 890 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 Clarkston

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 93°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 32°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LEWISTON AP station (5 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

Washington Geological Survey (DNR)
Stonerose Interpretive Center — Visit & rules
BLM Spokane District
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Clarkston

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

Gold Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Clarkston.

Across the state line from Clarkston

Clarkston is close enough to the Washington border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Clarkston FAQ

Where is Clarkston?+

Clarkston is in Asotin County, Washington, at 46.40326, -117.10281. Nearest road: Evans Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Clarkston?+

Clarkston is reported to produce Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Clarkston?+

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 Clarkston?+

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 Clarkston?+

The most comfortable months at Clarkston are February to June.

How do I get to Clarkston?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.40326, -117.10281 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Evans Road.

More rockhounding in Washington

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Open Clarkston on the map

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