Meteorites Found in Idaho: 8 Documented

Idaho has 8 officially recognized meteorites — 0 witnessed falls and 8 finds. The largest, Oakley (iron) (Iron, IIIF — iron meteorite — nickel-iron metal), weighed 111 kg. The record here spans 119 years — from Hayden Creek in 1895 to Monteview in 2014.

6 iron meteorites2 ordinary chondrites

Name	Classification	Mass	Fell / Found	Year	GPS
Oakley (iron)	Iron, IIIF	111 kg	Found	1926	42.333, -113.700
Wilder	H5	26.6 kg	Found	1982	43.724, -116.912
Monteview	Iron, IAB-MG	25.9 kg	Found	2014	44.017, -112.485
Jerome (Idaho)	L	6.8 kg	Found	1954	42.633, -114.833
Parma Canyon	Iron	2.2 kg	Found	1940	43.800, -117.000
Hayden Creek	Iron, IIIAB	270 g	Found	1895	45.000, -114.000
Tamarack	Iron, IIAB	41 g	Found	2004	44.934, -116.432
Idaho	Iron, IAB-MG	—	Found	—	withheld

Reading the classifications

H, L, LL (ordinary chondrites)

The most common meteorites — stony, with visible metal flecks. H = high iron content, L = low, LL = very low. The digit (3–6) says how much the parent asteroid heated it: 3 is the most pristine.

Carbonaceous chondrites (CM, CV, CO…)

Primitive, carbon-bearing stones that predate the planets — some carry water-bearing minerals and amino acids. Fragile and rare on the ground.

Irons (IAB, IIIAB…)

Solid nickel-iron from the shattered cores of asteroids. Dense, magnetic, and the easiest meteorites to recognize — most of the biggest US finds are irons.

Pallasites & mesosiderites (stony-irons)

The showpieces: pallasites are gem-quality olivine suspended in polished metal, from the core-mantle boundary of destroyed asteroids.

Achondrites (eucrite, howardite…)

Volcanic rocks from bodies large enough to melt — most trace to the asteroid Vesta; the rarest are from the Moon and Mars.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many meteorites have been found in Idaho?

8 meteorites from Idaho are officially recognized in the scientific record — 0 witnessed falls and 8 finds. The largest is Oakley (iron) at 111 kg.

Can I hunt for meteorites in Idaho?

On BLM-managed public land, casual collecting is legal without a permit: surface finds, up to 10 lb per person per year, personal use only. National parks prohibit all collecting, and on private land the meteorite belongs to the landowner. Always verify land status before hunting.

How do I know if a rock is a meteorite?

Quick field checks: meteorites are unusually dense, most attract a magnet (iron-nickel content), fresh ones have a thin black fusion crust, and many show regmaglypts (thumbprint-like depressions). Slag and magnetite are the common false alarms.

⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.

Coordinates are historical find locations from the scientific record, often approximate — not guaranteed collecting spots; verify land status and permissions before hunting. Source of record: Meteoritical Bulletin Database (Meteoritical Society).