Pay-To-Dig Gem Mines in Idaho

The only public fee-dig site in the US for star garnets — a rare 6-rayed variety found in only two places in the world (Idaho and India). Dig in ancient schist and metamorphic rock to find your own star garnets. The USDA Forest Service manages this site and limits digging to preserve the resource.

Spencer, Idaho is one of the largest opal producing areas in North America. The Spencer Opal Mines offer fee-dig access to volcanic ash rhyolite beds where precious opal, fire opal, and common opal are found in seams and nodules. The small town of Spencer hosts an annual opal festival. Bring your own tools.

Pan for placer gold along historic Indian Creek in the Idaho gold country. This gold-bearing stream has been producing since the 1860s. Daily fee includes equipment, instruction, and guaranteed color in your pan.

Dig for precious Idaho opal directly from the volcanic rhyolite. One of the few places in the world to dig quality opal from native ground. Excellent fire opal and crystal opal.

Mine for star garnets — Idaho's state gemstone. Idaho produces the only star garnets in North America outside of India.

Dig for rare 4- and 6-rayed star garnets — Idaho's state gem. The only public star garnet mine in the US. Run by the USFS.