White Bird: Gold Prospecting in Idaho County, Idaho
Updated June 2026
White Bird is a mapped rockhounding spot in Idaho County, Idaho. Reported finds include gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing White Bird in Idaho County, Idaho
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Idaho County
- State
- Idaho
- Nearest road
- Lyons Camp Road
- Coordinates
- 45.75490, -116.32284
Geology at White Bird
This spot sits on ground mapped as water. Placer gold, where present, typically concentrates in the gravels and washes that drain ground like this.
- Mapped unit
- water
- Elevation
- 1,440 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 White Bird
Best months: January to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 32°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GRANGEVILLE station (15 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:
- Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Emerald Creek
- Idaho Geological Survey
- Spencer Opal Mines (fee-dig operator)
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at White Bird
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 White Bird.
- Blue Jacket MineIdaho County, Idaho · 15 mi awayChabazite, Stilbite
- RigginsIdaho County, Idaho · 20 mi awayGarnet
- Clearwater RiverIdaho County, Idaho · 30 mi awayGold
- Salmon RiverIdaho County, Idaho · 33 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- OrograndeIdaho County, Idaho · 37 mi awayCopper
- Salmon River (near Riggins)Idaho County, Idaho · 39 mi awayGold
- Ruby MeadowsIdaho County, Idaho · 42 mi awayCorundum, Quartz
- Seven Devils Mining DistrictTop pick in IdahoAdams County, Idaho · 44 mi awayEpidote, Red Garnet, Pink Garnet
Across the state line from White Bird
White Bird is close enough to the Idaho border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- Lower Inmaha RiverWallowa County, Oregon · 46 mi awayAgate, Prase
- Snake RiverAsotin County, Washington · 47 mi awayFire Opal
- ClarkstonAsotin County, Washington · 58 mi awayGold
- Snake RiverAsotin County, Washington · 62 mi awayGold
- Bald ButteWhitman County, Washington · 71 mi awaySmoky Quartz
- PullmanWhitman County, Washington · 79 mi awayFire Opal
White Bird FAQ
Where is White Bird?+
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More rockhounding in Idaho
See all 117 Idaho spots →Open White Bird on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
