Silver Hill: Cassiterite Rockhounding in Spokane County, Washington

Updated June 2026

Silver Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Spokane County, Washington. Reported finds include cassiterite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Spokane County
State: Washington
Nearest road: Great Northern/Spokane and Inland Empire
Coordinates: 47.55917, -117.32767

Geology at Silver Hill

This spot sits on Priest River metamorphic complex, heterogeneous metamorphic rocks, mapped as gneiss, schist, and quartzite that formed roughly 4600 to 540 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Priest River metamorphic complex, heterogeneous metamorphic rocks
Age: 4600–540 Ma (Precambrian)
Rock types: gneiss, schist, and quartzite
Elevation: 2,830 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 Silver Hill

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SPOKANE FELTS FLD station (9 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

Washington Geological Survey (DNR)
Stonerose Interpretive Center, Visit & rules
BLM Spokane District
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Silver Hill

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Cassiterite

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Silver Hill.

Across the state line from Silver Hill

Silver Hill 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.

Silver Hill FAQ

Where is Silver Hill?+

Silver Hill is in Spokane County, Washington, at 47.55917, -117.32767. Nearest road: Great Northern/Spokane and Inland Empire.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Silver Hill?+

Silver Hill is reported to produce Cassiterite.

Is collecting allowed at Silver Hill?+

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 Silver Hill?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Silver Hill?+

The most comfortable months at Silver Hill are March to October.

How do I get to Silver Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 47.55917, -117.32767 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Great Northern/Spokane and Inland Empire.

More rockhounding in Washington

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Open Silver Hill on the map

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