Spencer Opal Mines
Spencer, Idaho
precious opalcommon opal
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal
Spencer Opal Mines
Idaho's opal formed in thin layers inside rhyolite, which is why Spencer material usually gets sliced and built into triplets rather than cut solid. The public works a tailings pile that the crew reloads each week with ore trucked down from the mine above. This is hammer-and-chisel work, and the fire only shows once you split a seam clean.
The card catalog
| What you can find | precious opal, common opal |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | $75 per adult and $50 for children under 16 to dig the tailings pile, including a 2.5-gallon bucket for your ore and help from the mining staff. No reservations needed. |
| Season & hours | Summer season only. The store is open Thursday through Monday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with digging 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day the shop is open. The operator confirms the 2026 summer season is open. Mountain weather can shut the pile - call (208) 374-5476 ahead. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — The tailings pile is loose rock you break with a hammer rather than a hole you excavate, and the crew restocks it with fresh ore weekly, so children reliably leave with something. Eye protection matters more here than at a screening trough. |
| Official source | Spencer Opal Mines (operator) |
| 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.
More drawers in Idaho
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Fernwood, ID
star garnet, almandine garnet
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National Forest Lands in Idaho
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quartz, agate, jasper
Before you go
What does Spencer Opal Mines cost?
$75 per adult and $50 for children under 16 to dig the tailings pile, including a 2.5-gallon bucket for your ore and help from the mining staff. No reservations needed. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Spencer Opal Mines open?
Summer season only. The store is open Thursday through Monday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with digging 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day the shop is open. The operator confirms the 2026 summer season is open. Mountain weather can shut the pile - call (208) 374-5476 ahead. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Spencer Opal Mines good for kids?
Yes — Spencer Opal Mines works for families. The tailings pile is loose rock you break with a hammer rather than a hole you excavate, and the crew restocks it with fresh ore weekly, so children reliably leave with something. Eye protection matters more here than at a screening trough.