Bald Butte — Rockhounding in Whitman County, Washington
Bald Butte is a mapped rockhounding spot in Whitman County, Washington. Reported finds include smoky quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Bald Butte in Whitman County, Washington
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Whitman County
- State
- Washington
- Coordinates
- 46.63157, -117.08787
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:
- Washington Geological Survey (DNR)
- Stonerose Interpretive Center — Visit & rules
- BLM Spokane District
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Bald Butte
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 Bald Butte.
- PullmanWhitman County, Washington · 11 mi awayFire Opal
- Snake RiverAsotin County, Washington · 15 mi awayGold
- ClarkstonAsotin County, Washington · 16 mi awayGold
- Snake RiverGarfield County, Washington · 23 mi awayGold
- Snake RiverAsotin County, Washington · 26 mi awayFire Opal
- Silver HillSpokane County, Washington · 65 mi awayCassiterite
- Spokane, WashingtonSpokane County, Washington · 73 mi away
- ChattaroySpokane County, Washington · 88 mi awayGarnet, Quartz
Across the state line from Bald Butte
Bald Butte 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.
- MoscowLatah County, Idaho · 11 mi awayOpal
- LewistonNez Perce County, Idaho · 14 mi awayAgate, Aquamarine, Garnet
- Clearwater RiverNez Perce County, Idaho · 15 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Chert
- AgathaNez Perce County, Idaho · 25 mi awayOpal, Opalized Wood
- Mica MountainLatah County, Idaho · 31 mi awayGreen Beryl, Biotite, Muscovite
- Boulder CreekLatah County, Idaho · 33 mi awayGarnet
