ST. MARIES, ID – The U.S. Forest Service has announced that reservations for the 2025 season at the Emerald Creek Garnet Area will open Monday, April 15. This unique site, located near Clarkia in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, is one of only two places in the world where star garnets are found in quantity—and the only public site where visitors can collect them.
The garnet area will operate Thursdays through Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Visitors can choose between morning and afternoon sessions, each lasting three hours. Reservations are required and must be made in advance through www.recreation.gov or by calling (877) 444-6777. Tickets are valid only for the specified date and time slot.
Ticket prices are as follows:
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$15 for visitors aged 13 and older
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$5 for children aged 6 to 12
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Free for children 5 and under (a $1 non-refundable fee applies)
A non-refundable $1 administrative fee will be added to each ticket purchased online. To allow more people the opportunity to visit, each individual is limited to one reservation per season.
Star garnets, the Idaho state gem, are known for their unique four- or six-pointed star pattern that appears when the stone is properly cut and polished. The garnets found at Emerald Creek are typically deep purple and are often used in jewelry.
No additional reservation dates will be released later in the year, so early booking is encouraged. For further information, contact the St. Joe Ranger District Office at (208) 245-2531.
