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Emerald Creek Garnet Area
There are only two places in the world you can find Star Garnets - India and right here on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests! The garnets found here are called "star garnets" because of a unique property that causes some of them to display a reflection like a four or six pointed star. India is the only other place in the world where star garnets like these are found in any quantity.
The 12 sided (dodecahedron) or 24 sided (trapezohedron) crystals range in size from sand sized particles to golf balls or larger, and often have 4- or 6-ray stars when cut en cabochon by a lapidarist.
The Forest Service has developed the Garnet Area as a place where the public may collect these unique gems in a safe and environmentally friendly way. In the past, people would dig in the stream bed in search of the garnets. Now, due to concerns for water quality, aquatic habitat, and public safety, the Forest Service provides a stockpile of garnet bearing gravels from which people can gather material to run through one of two sluice boxes in search of garnets.
Tickets to the Garnet Area will be by reservation only through recreation.gov. No tickets will be sold on site.
The Garnet Area is only open Fridays through Mondays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The area is closed the rest of the year.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | The Emerald Creek Garnet Area is now open by reservation only. No walk up permits will be sold. All tools provided on site. Please don't bring personal sifters, shovels or buckets. |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | By RESERVATION ONLY. No walk up permits will be issued. Permits can be purchased online at https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/10086846?tab=info or by calling (877) 444-6777 or TDD (877) 833-6777 |
| Area Amenities: | Accessible, Picnic tables, Toilets, Parking |
| Fees: | Permits can be purchased online at https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/10086846?tab=info or by calling (877) 444-6777 or TDD (877) 833-6777 Adults: $15 Children ages 6-12: $5 Children under 6: Free. Recreation.gov charges a $1 processing fee on each transaction A mineral permit is issued for each individual. Limit of 2 lbs of garnet per person; 1 permit per person per year. |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Restrictions: | Trained Service Animals Only (no shaded parking for cars with pets) |
| Closest Towns: | Clarkia, Idaho |
| Water: | None - bring your own drinking water. |
| Restroom: | Outhouse |
General Information
Directions:Be aware of road conditions prior to choosing your route. From St. Maries, Idaho, follow Highway 3 south 24 miles to Road 447. Proceed southwest 8 miles on Road 447 to the parking area. Permits, information, and the sluice area are a 1/2 mile hike up 281 Gulch. Be aware that there is considerable logging traffic in the vicinity of the Garnet Area. Please drive with care!
Activities
Rockhounding
There are only two places in the world you can find Star Garnets - India and right here on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests! The Forest Service has developed the Garnet Area as a place where the public may collect these unique gems in a safe and environmentally friendly way.
Amenities
| Picnic tables: | Picnic table at parking lot and ADA accessible toilets at dig site. |
|---|---|
| Parking: | Parking off main road, no parking available at dig site. |
| Toilets: | ADA accessible toilets available at parking lot and dig site. |
| Accessible: | Contact the St. Joe Ranger Station at (208) 245-2531 for details. |