Dismal Swamp — Rockhounding in Elmore County, Idaho
Dismal Swamp is a focused Elmore County locality for smoky quartz and topaz, both listed for the area by Idaho Department of Lands and Mindat. It is a more mineral-specimen-oriented choice than many Idaho agate fields, with quartz-family collecting tied to the Rocky Bar mining district and nearby granitic terrain. Reported finds include smoky quartz, topaz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Dismal Swamp photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material, with source and license attribution.
Map showing Dismal Swamp in Elmore County, Idaho
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Elmore County
- State
- Idaho
- Nearest road
- Trinity Ridge Road
- Coordinates
- 43.72904, -115.36641
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 Dismal Swamp
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 Dismal Swamp.
- Boise RiverElmore County, Idaho · 16 mi awayGold
- Iron MountainCamas County, Idaho · 21 mi awayYellow Garnet, Green Garnet
- Banner Silver MinesBoise County, Idaho · 22 mi awayGold, Silver, Pyrargyrite
- Idaho CityTop pick in IdahoBoise County, Idaho · 24 mi awayQuartz, Garnet
- Pole CreekBlaine County, Idaho · 33 mi awayGeode, Amethyst, Quartz
- Garden ValleyBoise County, Idaho · 39 mi awayAquamarine
- FairfieldCamas County, Idaho · 39 mi awayMoonstone
- StanleyCuster County, Idaho · 40 mi awayCorundum, Gold, Sapphire
Dismal Swamp FAQ
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More rockhounding in Idaho
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