Emerald Creek Garnet Area Tickets
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Welcome to the Emerald Creek Garnet Area! If you are ready to get dirty, have fun and find some garnets to take home you’ve come the right place. Our staff will greet you with an orientation to the site and provide all the tools necessary to dig, sift and wet sluice to find garnets. This is a great activity for families and people of all ages.
Hidden in the hills of the Idaho Panhandle, Emerald Creek is one of only two places in the world where Star Garnets can be found in quantity and the only location where you’re able to collect them! When a Star Garnet is cut by a jeweler it displays a six-ray reflective star pattern in the purple stone and is commonly used for jewelry. It is also the Idaho State Gem! Please note that garnets cannot be collected outside the Emerald Creek Garnet Area recreation site or while the site is closed.
Emerald Creek Garnet Area is open Friday through Monday beginning the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and ending the Monday of Labor Day weekend. To provide for public safety and to protect the delicate natural resources, tickets are required to visit Emerald Creek Garnet Area. Thank you for your cooperation!
Tickets are available for morning or afternoon time slots. They are issued per person and are only valid for the date and time slot listed. To make your reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov for tickets. Please be sure to bring your printed ticket(s) with you to the recreation site and we’ll issue a mineral permit when you arrive. This permit authorizes the holder to dig, sift, sluice and collect garnets within the Emerald Creek Garnet Area recreation site.
Welcome to the Emerald Creek Garnet Area! If you are ready to get dirty, have fun and find some garnets to take home you’ve come the right place. Our staff will greet you with an orientation to the site and provide all the tools necessary to dig, sift and wet sluice to find garnets. This is a great activity for families and people of all ages.
Hidden in the hills of the Idaho Panhandle, Emerald Creek is one of only two places in the world where Star Garnets can be found in quantity and the only location where you’re able to collect them! When a Star Garnet is cut by a jeweler it displays a six-ray reflective star pattern in the purple stone and is commonly used for jewelry. It is also the Idaho State Gem! Please note that garnets cannot be collected outside the Emerald Creek Garnet Area recreation site or while the site is closed.
Emerald Creek Garnet Area is open Friday through Monday beginning the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and ending the Monday of Labor Day weekend. To provide for public safety and to protect the delicate natural resources, tickets are required to visit Emerald Creek Garnet Area. Thank you for your cooperation!
Tickets are available for morning or afternoon time slots. They are issued per person and are only valid for the date and time slot listed. To make your reservation, please visit www.recreation.gov for tickets. Please be sure to bring your printed ticket(s) with you to the recreation site and we’ll issue a mineral permit when you arrive. This permit authorizes the holder to dig, sift, sluice and collect garnets within the Emerald Creek Garnet Area recreation site.
Need to Know
- Payment Online Only
Tickets are only available online at this recreation.gov page.
- Print ticket ahead of time
Please have a printed copy of your reservation ticket available to show staff at entrance booth. No cell phone service is available within 15 miles of the site.
- Poor Connectivity
No cell phone service is available within 15 miles of the site.
- Water
There is no drinking water on site and limited shade. Please bring drinking water.
- Pets Not Allowed
Pets are not allowed within the recreation site and there is not shaded parking available.
- Parking
Parking is available ½ mile from the recreation site. Once parked you will walk the ½ mile up the access road to the recreation site where you will be greeted by staff.
- Accessible Parking
Please let us know ahead of time if you need to be dropped off directly at the recreation site and we will gladly open the gate for you to drive the half mile up the road.
- One Permit Per Year
Each person is limited to one permit per calendar year.
- Two Pounds Per Day
Each person is limited to 2 pounds of garnet material per day.
Booking Windows
Tickets are released in the first week of March and are then available on a 90 day rolling basis.
Changes and Cancellations
Cancellations must be made up to 24 hours in advance for refund minus $1 non-refundable advanced reservation fee. No refunds for no shows or cancellations less than 24 hours in advance.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
222 South 7th Street, Suite 1 St. Maries ID 83861
Phone Number
2082452531
