The Long Way
Clark County
A view of an open pit quarry surrounded by pine trees.
Plate I. Mining grounds at Spencer Opal Mine. From spenceropalmines.com
A bulldozer working in a rocky excavation site.
Plate II. Mining machinery at Spencer Opal Mine. From spenceropalmines.com
A person holds a large rock containing colorful opal.
Plate III. Pink opal specimen, Spencer Opal Mine. From spenceropalmines.com
A bulldozer pushes large boulders in a rocky quarry.
Plate IV. Excavation, Spencer Opal Mine. From spenceropalmines.com
An interior view of a gift shop filled with jewelry, displays, and tables.
Plate V. Gift shop inside Spencer Opal Mine. From spenceropalmines.com
An interior view of a store displaying various beaded necklaces, crystals, and other merchandise.
Plate VI. Gift shop interior, Spencer Opal Mine. From spenceropalmines.com

Spencer Opal Mine tailings dig

Spencer, Clark County, Idaho. Family business that has owned the mine; 2026 summer season.

Details

Map. Spencer, Clark County, Idaho. Larger map
Where
27 Opal Ave, Spencer, ID 83446. Directions
When
breakfasts served until 11am.
Fees
$75 per person and $50 for kids (under 16).
Access
Make sure to check the weather or call ahead for digging.
Walk-in or reserve
NO RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR DIGGING AT THE TAILINGS PILE.
Phone
(208) 374-5476
Website
spenceropalmines.com
Managed by
Spencer Opal Mines LLC.
Established
1968.

We are a family business that has owned the mine since 1968! Producing American Pink Precious Opal for four generations!

Notable Events

  1. 1940sTwo hunters sheltering from a severe storm stumbled onto the opals. boisedev.com
  2. 1948Two deer hunters discovered the Spencer Opal Mine. spenceridaho.weebly.com
  3. 1952The two deer hunters who discovered the mine filed a mining claim. spenceridaho.weebly.com
  4. 1968The Stetler family bought the Spencer Opal Mine. spenceridaho.weebly.com
  5. 2025The mine itself reopened for public digs for the first time in more than 20 years. boisestatepublicradio.org

People

  • Erin Haight, Owner of Spencer Opal Mine.

Sources

  1. spenceropalmines.com
  2. spenceropalmines.com/about-us
  3. spenceropalmines.com/all-about-opals
  4. spenceropalmines.com/contact-us
  5. spenceropalmines.com/gift-shop
  6. spenceropalmines.com/show-dates
  7. facebook.com/Spenceropalmines
  8. instagram.com/spencer_opal_mines
  9. boisedev.com/news/2025/09/15/gem-state-shines-on-with-its-large-opal-mine
  10. museumofidaho.org/resource/once-upon-a-mine
  11. spenceridaho.weebly.com/history.html
  12. hmdb.org/m.asp?m=253446
  13. boisestatepublicradio.org/show/idaho-matters/2025-07-22/clark-county-spencer-opal-mine