Mackay — Rockhounding in Custer County, Idaho
Mackay is the best Custer County mine-district pick for copper minerals, with Mindat documenting malachite and related species across the Alder Creek and White Knob district. Idaho Department of Lands also lists Custer County districts for azurite, malachite, and other base-metal minerals, so the site has stronger mineral documentation than a generic scenic stop. Reported finds include azurite, chalcopyrite, chrysocolla, malachite, pyrite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Mackay photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material, with source and license attribution.
Map showing Mackay in Custer County, Idaho
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Custer County
- State
- Idaho
- Nearest road
- National Forest Development Road 496
- Coordinates
- 43.89020, -113.67457
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:
- Idaho Panhandle National Forests — Emerald Creek
- Idaho Geological Survey
- Spencer Opal Mines (fee-dig operator)
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Mackay
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 Mackay.
- Empire MineCuster County, Idaho · 0 mi awayPurple Fluorite
- Poison CreekCuster County, Idaho · 12 mi awayCommon Opal
- Antelope Creek areaButte County, Idaho · 14 mi awayGeode, Quartz, Amethyst
- Wildhorse CanyonCuster County, Idaho · 23 mi awayQuartz
- Hyndman PeakBlaine County, Idaho · 25 mi awayTourmaline
- KetchumBlaine County, Idaho · 34 mi awayTetrahedrite, Arsenopyrite, Galena
- Little Wood RiverTop pick in IdahoBlaine County, Idaho · 38 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Malm GulchCuster County, Idaho · 41 mi awayAgate, Petrified Wood
Mackay FAQ
Why is Mackay one of the best rockhounding spots in Idaho?+
Where is Mackay?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Mackay?+
Is collecting allowed at Mackay?+
How do I get to Mackay?+
More rockhounding in Idaho
See all 114 Idaho spots →Open Mackay on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
