Garnet Hunting at Emerald Creek in Idaho
By Annika Haney and Kathryn Church
One of the crowning features of Idaho is the scattered treasure troves of gems, specifically garnets. These gems offer residents unique opportunities to engage with their state nickname, “The Gem State.” One such activity is hunting for garnets at Emerald Creek. This is a perfect spring and summer outing to enjoy the outdoors and the thrill of digging for treasure! Be prepared to get dirty!
Emerald Creek is located an hour away from Moscow and is one of only two places in the world where you can find star garnets! To get started, you’ll need to book permits online. Permits are sold in bundles and released on a rolling 90-day cycle; primarily selling permits on weekends. Head to recreation.gov and search for Emerald Creek Garnet Area to purchase your permits. Be sure to mark your calendar 90 days before the day you’d like to go because they sell quickly! Ages 13+ are $15 per ticket and 6-12 are $10 per ticket. Under 6 are free.
Being well-prepared will make the experience much more enjoyable for everyone! First, be sure to bring a printed copy of your ticket since there is no cell service present! Second, you’ll want to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks. A few camp chairs might not be a bad idea too, depending on the ages in your group. The work involves digging in the dirt, hauling buckets, and sifting the dirt off, so wear clothes and shoes that can handle getting dirty! Your car will likely also get dirty as the last portion of the road is unpaved and bumpy. There can also be a lot of logging traffic.
Upon arrival, there is a parking spot, and then a beginner-level hike that is about ½ mile long to reach the panning site. If anyone in your group needs to be dropped off directly at the site, you can call ahead to have them unlock the gate.
Experienced employees will instruct participants on how to dig, sluice, and sift for garnets. You have a three-hour time slot to work. This activity is interactive and great for lots of ages. For really little kids, however, they might get hot and tired quickly! Digging the buckets of dirt also involves climbing the big dirt mounts, so those with unsure footing should be aware.
The gems you find are included in the price of the permit, so you get to take your findings home as souvenirs - up to two pounds of garnets! The fun doesn’t have to end there. Take your garnets to Gem State Crystals on Main St. in Moscow for cleaning and polishing! Established in 1980, Gem State is a family-run business that offers a wide variety of services. They are fondly known for their beautiful collections of gems, minerals, and fossils. Colorful varieties line the walls and if you ask the employees, they can offer extensive insights into their products. Additionally, Gem State offers jewelry repair and commission pieces, which is perfect for something a little more unique. They are a great place to take your garnets, particularly star garnets to see the quality of your collection. Whether you walk in or email them, Gem State Inc. is a great option to have your gems turned into truly unique pieces.
If you go, we’d love to see pictures of your adventures! Happy Hunting!
Buy tickets here!