Spokane, Washington: Rockhounding in Spokane County, Washington

Updated June 2026

Spokane, Washington is a mapped rockhounding spot in Spokane County, Washington. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Spokane County
State: Washington
Nearest road: South Gorge Trail
Postcode: 99201
Coordinates: 47.65877, -117.44439

Geology at Spokane, Washington

This spot sits on Missoula, glacial Lake, deposits of, mapped as outburst flood deposits 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: Missoula, glacial Lake, deposits of
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene)
Rock types: outburst flood deposits and gravel
Elevation: 1,740 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 Spokane, Washington

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 37°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 27°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SPOKANE INTL 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

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Spokane, Washington.

Across the state line from Spokane, Washington

Spokane, Washington 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.

Spokane, Washington FAQ

Where is Spokane, Washington?+

Spokane, Washington is in Spokane County, Washington, at 47.65877, -117.44439. Nearest road: South Gorge Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Spokane, Washington?+

Spokane, Washington is on the rockhounding map but no minerals are listed in our reference. Open RockHoundR to see what other rockhounds have logged.

Is collecting allowed at Spokane, Washington?+

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 Spokane, Washington?+

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 Spokane, Washington?+

The most comfortable months at Spokane, Washington are March to November.

How do I get to Spokane, Washington?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 47.65877, -117.44439 in Google Maps. The nearest road is South Gorge Trail.

More rockhounding in Washington

See all 92 Washington spots →

Open Spokane, Washington on the map

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