Mica Mountain: Green Beryl & Biotite Rockhounding in Latah County, Idaho

Updated June 2026

Mica Mountain is a mapped rockhounding spot in Latah County, Idaho. Reported finds include green beryl, biotite, muscovite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Latah County
State: Idaho
Coordinates: 46.90342, -116.56673

Geology at Mica Mountain

This spot sits on Wallace Formation, garnet-mica schist, mapped as garnet-mica schist that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Metamorphic belts like this often host pegmatite dikes, the coarse-crystal bodies that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, and sheet mica.

Mapped unit: Wallace Formation, garnet-mica schist
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: garnet-mica schist
Elevation: 4,740 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 Mica Mountain

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 75°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, POTLATCH 3 NNE station (14 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: 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 Mica Mountain

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 Mica Mountain.

Across the state line from Mica Mountain

Mica Mountain 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.

Mica Mountain FAQ

Where is Mica Mountain?+

Mica Mountain is in Latah County, Idaho, at 46.90342, -116.56673.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mica Mountain?+

Mica Mountain is reported to produce Green Beryl, Biotite, Muscovite.

Is collecting allowed at Mica Mountain?+

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.

What tools should I bring to Mica Mountain?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Mica Mountain?+

The most comfortable months at Mica Mountain are April to October.

How do I get to Mica Mountain?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.90342, -116.56673 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Idaho

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Open Mica Mountain on the map

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