Gold was discovered in the state of Idaho in 1860 and thousands of miners moved in the surrounding mining areas (primarily the California goldfields) in the hope of striking it rich. Many gold strikes continued as the years went on, and the remoteness of many areas meant that gold continued to be found for decades.
Some of the gold strikes in Idaho rivaled any made in the West. Of particular interest was the places of the Boise Basin, which was by far the most extensive mining area in the state. Other discoveries helped to make Idaho one of the richest gold mining states in the country.
Below we have highlighted 12 of the richest gold discoveries in Idaho. These areas still have gold today, and a hard-working miner can still find some of that elusive yellow metal
1. Atlanta
Gold mining in this area dates back to 1864 when the Atlanta lode was discovered at the southern edge of the Sawtooth Mountains. Mining commenced almost immediately and continued up to the time when all mines were closed during the Second World War. Today there are still several gold mining activities around Atlanta with a number of active claims and mines. The ground is still rich in gold and many prospectors report success when prospecting the area.
2. Boise Basin
Gold was discovered in the Boise basin in 1862 by George Grimes and a group of prospectors. The news of this discovery created a local gold rush that turned the basin into the largest settlement in the region in a matter of months. The mining commenced producing millions of ounces of gold for several decades. Both hydraulic mining and dredging were responsible for most of the production in later years. Most of the mining was done around Grimes Creek and Mores Creek. Some of the old mines have been reopened in the recent past although mining is not at the peak.
Read More: Boise Basin – The Largest Gold Strike In Idaho
3. Delamar Mine (Silver City)
The DeLamar Mine was the largest mine in Owyhee County, located just west of Silver City. The open-pit mine produced gold and silver. Although silver was the main mineral mined around the silver city, most of the mines here also produced gold and a host of other minerals. Gold prospectors can still find lots of gold in the area if they search the isolated creeks and draws that feed into Jordan Creek. Placer gold from this area often has a very silvery appearance due to a high silver alloy.
4. Yankee Fork
The Yankee Fork still contains a significant amount of placer gold. Gold was discovered here in 1870 and the towns of Bonanza and Custer were built up to accommodate the miners. Still, mining was on and off for several decades as new mining technologies were discovered. In the mid-1900s, the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge churned up the valley and recovered millions of dollars in gold. Today, some gold prospectors still frequent the area, and it is a popular place for tourist visiting the nearby Sawtooth Mountains, Stanley, and Redfish Lake.
The Yankee Fork Gold Dredge recovered several million dollars in gold from a remote part of central Idaho. The dredge is well-preserved and is a popular destination for tourists.
5. Murray
This was the site of the last true “gold rush” in the lower-48. Gold in Pritchard Creek was discovered in the 1880s causing one of Idaho’s major gold rushes. Actually, considering the richness of the area it is quite surprising that this area was not discovered sooner. Today place gold can be found in many places around Murray including the original Pritchard Creek, the Eagle Creek, the Beaver Creek, and Trail Creek among others.
6. Salmon River
The Salmon River was one of the first places gold was discovered in Idaho. The river was rich enough to sustain continuous mining over several decades. Although different mining have been used to mine the river including dredging there are still some gold yet to be discovered on the river. Many of the prospectors to explore the river have found that gold occurs all throughout the river, from its headwaters all the way down to where it drains into the Snake River. Be forewarned, the gold in the Salmon River is usually very fine and requires effort to recover efficiently.
7. Warren
Gold was discovered in Warren in 1862. The mining quickly became a boom town with several mines being established. Mining was the main economic activity in the area until during the Second World War when the mines were ordered shut. Today there are still a number of active claims in the area. Prospectors also find the region around the town of Warren quite productive and this is a fun day trip from McCall and Riggins.
8. Elk City
The Elk City was the heart to the mining activities in the Elk Creek, the Red River and the South Fork of the Clearwater River. First mining was done using hands then later by bucket line dredges. The area has gained some interest from recreational miners who can still find lots of gold left behind by the early miners. There is lots of gold in this area, and it is very remote. If you are feeling adventurous you can venture south and explore several small mining districts like the Dixie, Orogrande and Buffalo Hump. Go prepared, this is remote country!
9. Pierce
Pierce was home the first gold rush in Idaho. Gold was mined in Orofino Creek and the surrounding areas for a few years before all the buzz died down. However, this discovery brought in many miners who eventually discovered gold in other places throughout the state. Today the mountains surrounding the Orofino Creek still contain lots of gold and many prospectors have reported success in these areas.
10. Snake River
The gold in the Snake River is so fine that it is almost impossible to economically mine it. Mining on the river did take place in the 1870s near present-day Milner Dam, but the miners soon find more profitable areas to spend their time. Today, you can still pan gold dust along the river, but construction of dams has considerably altered the river.
11. Stibnite
Stibnite was a successful mining center in the boom days. At the peak of gold mining here some of the most productive mines included the Meadow Creek and the Yellow Pine Mine. Mining continued until the mid-1950s when the ore was exhausted and the mines abandoned. Today there are a number of active claims including the Stibnite mine owned by a company named Midas Gold has been doing exploratory work in the area for a number of years now testing the feasibility of future mining efforts. They plan on reworking some of the old ore piles from past mining operations.
12. Silver Valley
Silver Valley is home to some of the richest silver ore in the world. Silver and gold were discovered in the valley in the early 1880s marking the start of a long and colorful mining history of the area. Today there are still many places to find gold in the valley. For many prospectors, the creeks and streams are a great place to start. Gold has been overshadowed by the silver, but you can definitely find some gold here too.
Next: The Silver Mines of Bayhorse – Explore Idaho’s Best Ghost Towns