Rockhounding in Montana: where to find gems and minerals
Good news for rockhounds: Montana has gems and minerals to find. We've mapped 234 places where gems and minerals have been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 175 of them have no active mining claim: grab your rock hammer and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission. 59 are on someone's mining claim, so ask the claim holder before you dig at those.
See all 234 spots on the Montana map
How to read the map
- Green: public land, no active claim. Go ahead with your rock hammer and hand tools, no permission needed.
- Yellow: public land with an active mining claim. Ask the claim holder before you dig.
Many recorded sites are old mines. Shafts, tunnels and bad air can kill: never go inside. Prospect in the creek and on the surface, and use common sense out there. See our terms.
What people find in Montana
Fluorite (70 spots), Tourmaline (25 spots), Pegmatite (niobium) (23 spots), Quartz (22 spots), Gemstone (15 spots), Garnet (15 spots), Pegmatite (mica) (15 spots), Pegmatite (tantalum) (12 spots), Kyanite (12 spots), Jasper (10 spots), Beryllium minerals (8 spots), Pegmatite (feldspar) (6 spots)
Questions we often get
Where can I go rockhounding in Montana?
We haven't found a place in Montana set up for visitors yet, but there's still plenty to explore on your own. On the map you'll find 175 spots on public land with no active mining claim, where you can go with hand tools without asking anyone.
Are the gem and mineral sites in Montana under mining claims?
Some are. Every spot we map in Montana is on public land open to prospecting, but 59 of the 234 fall inside an active mining claim. A claim means someone holds the mineral rights there, so you need their permission to dig. The other 175 have no active claim: those you can work with hand tools, no permission needed.
Are there rock and mineral clubs in Montana?
We haven't listed one in Montana yet. Check back soon: we're adding clubs state by state.