Emerald Creek Garnet Area
Fernwood, Idaho
star garnetalmandine garnet
Forest Service collecting area · Fee, seasonal
Emerald Creek Garnet Area
This is the only place in the United States where the public can legally dig their own star garnets. Forest Service staff hand you tools, point you at the gravel, and you sluice out twelve-sided purple-red crystals that flash a four- or six-ray star once cut as cabochons. The cap is two pounds per person per day and one permit per person per calendar year, so make your slot count.
The card catalog
| What you can find | star garnet, almandine garnet |
|---|---|
| Access | Forest Service collecting area — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, free under 6, plus a $1 recreation.gov processing fee per transaction. Online reservation only - no walk-up permits are sold on site. Book at recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. |
| Season & hours | CRITICAL: the Forest Service page states the Garnet Area closed early in 2026 because the supply of excavated garnet-bearing material was depleted, and is closed the rest of the year. Normal operation is Thursday through Saturday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, by reservation only. Confirm the area is open before booking travel. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Children from about six do well - tools are provided and the work is washing gravel through a sluice - but there is a walk in from the parking lot, no drinking water, and no cell service within fifteen miles, so print your ticket before you leave town. |
| Official source | USDA Forest Service - Idaho Panhandle National Forests |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Emerald Creek Garnet Area cost?
$15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6-12, free under 6, plus a $1 recreation.gov processing fee per transaction. Online reservation only - no walk-up permits are sold on site. Book at recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Emerald Creek Garnet Area open?
CRITICAL: the Forest Service page states the Garnet Area closed early in 2026 because the supply of excavated garnet-bearing material was depleted, and is closed the rest of the year. Normal operation is Thursday through Saturday from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, by reservation only. Confirm the area is open before booking travel. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Emerald Creek Garnet Area good for kids?
Yes — Emerald Creek Garnet Area works for families. Children from about six do well - tools are provided and the work is washing gravel through a sluice - but there is a walk in from the parking lot, no drinking water, and no cell service within fifteen miles, so print your ticket before you leave town.