Big Lost River — Rockhounding in Butte County, Idaho

Big Lost River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Butte County, Idaho. Reported finds include geode, amethyst. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Butte County
State: Idaho
Coordinates: 43.79522, -112.85184

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 Big Lost River

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

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Big Lost River.

Big Lost River FAQ

Where is Big Lost River?+

Big Lost River is in Butte County, Idaho, at 43.79522, -112.85184.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Big Lost River?+

Big Lost River is reported to produce Geode, Amethyst.

Is collecting allowed at Big Lost River?+

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.

How do I get to Big Lost River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.79522, -112.85184 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote — check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Idaho

See all 114 Idaho spots →

Open Big Lost River on the map

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