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Due to its massive deposits of precious gems, valuable minerals, and interesting rocks, Montana is heaven on earth for rockhounds! It’s exactly what you would expect from a state that’s called “The Treasure State;” get ready to learn all about Montana and its treasures in this article!
Some common rocks and minerals you can collect in Montana are:
- agate,
- jasper,
- kimberlite,
- petrified wood,
- geode,
- fossils,
- sapphire,
- quartz,
- diamond,
- topaz,
- rhodonite,
- garnet ruby,
- opal,
- gold,
- and tourmaline.
There are so many amazing rocks and minerals in Montana that your head might start swirling if you try to find them all at once. To narrow down your search and find exactly what you want to collect, take the information from this guide and use it during your rockhounding excursion.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
What Rocks Are Found in Montana
With its gorgeous mountains, expansive spaces, and deep lakes, Montana has more than enough rocks for rockhounds to collect, such as:
Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Yellowstone River | 46.078612, -107.741908 |
| Pryor Mountains | 45.168090, -108.334935 |
| Whitewater Creek | 48.547528, -107.426971 |
| Cracker Box Creek | 46.913021, -104.922024 |
| Jefferson River | 45.817265, -111.872042 |
| Mount Blackmore | 45.443916, -111.003301 |
If you’re searching for a special and rare type of agate, you’ve come to the right state! The Montana Moss Agate is Montana’s state gemstone, famous for its white, black, reddish-brown, and gray patterns.
Another type of rare agate that’s present in Montana is the dryhead agate, which displays stunning patterns of red, pink, white, black, and gray.
The best places to look for agates in Montana include the Yellowstone River, Pryor Mountains, and Jefferson River.
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Madison County | 45.368404, -111.901340 |
| Yellowstone River | 46.078612, -107.741908 |
| Missouri River | 46.728227, -111.874481 |
| Jefferson River | 45.819845, -111.875517 |
| Pryor Mountains | 45.168090, -108.334935 |
| Big Horn Canyon | 45.312950, -107.960417 |
Jasper is abundant in Montana, and one type that many rockhounds seek in this state is called Wonderstone. Wonderstone is a unique type of jasper that possesses gorgeous, wave-like patterns that come in pink, yellow, violet, and maroon.
Collect Montana jasper and more from Madison County, the Yellowstone River, and the Missouri River.
Recommendation box: All tools and equipment you need for rockhounding and rock identification* (Amazon links):
1. Estwing Rock Hammer – Light, comfortable, and extremely durable hammer.
2. Estwing Geologist Pick – Classic and the most trusted paleo pick in the world.
3. Finder 12-inch Chisels – Heavy-duty chisels set with hand protection.
4. Mini Handle Shovel – This is a great tool for digging deep in the dirt.
5 Ironclad Utility Work Gloves – Breathable, but they also protect the areas requiring them most.
6. 3M Safety Glasses – Comfortable and efficient goggles for rockhounding.
7. Convoy 8+ UV Light – 365nm UV LED flashlight with a patented glass filter.
8. Wesley’s Jewelers Loupe – High magnification options (30X and 60X) with carrying case.
9. Mohs Hardness Kit – A specially designed kit for rockhounds
*All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website.
Kimberlite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Prairie County | 46.834691, -105.392024 |
| Custer County | 46.268862, -105.693161 |
| Wibaux County | 46.966924, -104.205472 |
| Grasshopper Creek | 45.364675, -113.124421 |
| Missouri Breaks | 47.843900, -110.396161 |
| Sweet Grass Hills | 48.847111, -111.375135 |
Kimberlites are igneous rocks that exist all over Montana, and you can recognize them by their dark gray or black coloring and rough texture. While the rocks themselves are interesting, many rockhounds search for them because they are the main source for diamonds.
Prairie County, Custer County, and Wibaux County are three of the top places to find kimberlites, and possibly diamonds along with them, in Montana.
Petrified Wood
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Gallatin Petrified Forest | 45.118949, -111.101655 |
| Jefferson River | 45.822176, -111.878634 |
| Pryor Mountains | 45.167939, -108.335321 |
| Mount Blackmore | 45.443766, -111.003258 |
| Terry | 46.795903, -105.314028 |
| Miner | 40.052221, -91.493936 |
When you visit Montana, you have to stop by the Gallatin Petrified Forest at least once! Rockhounds bring home quality petrified wood from all areas of Montana, but the specimens found in or near the Gallatin Petrified Forest are stunning. With a permit obtained in advance, rockhounds can legally collect one twenty-cubic-inch specimen of petrified wood from this forest.
There are plenty of rocks that you can collect from mountains, and Montana’s mountains have some great petrified wood specimens. Check out the Pryor Mountains and Mount Blackmore to collect petrified wood from this state.
TIP: Petrified wood is an attractive material widely used in decoration and furniture production; however, the demand for natural petrified wood created the appearance of numerous fakes.
Real vs. Fake Petrified Wood: Focus on These 10 Differences
Geode
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Pryor Mountains | 45.167939, -108.335321 |
| Crystal Park | 45.486221, -113.099828 |
| Butte District | 45.965996, -112.569102 |
| Billings | 45.769678, -108.501547 |
| Bear Canyon | 45.008596, -108.620812 |
| Carbon County | 45.163935, -108.381607 |
While geodes aren’t as widespread as other rocks in Montana, there are certain areas in the state where rockhounds collect all types of geodes.
Geodes from Montana can be filled with quartz, agate, pyrite, and more! As long as you know where to look, you can bring home all kinds of geodes from the Treasure State.
To find geodes in Montana, visit the Pryor Mountains, Crystal Park, and Carbon County.
Fossils
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Pryor Mountains | 45.167939, -108.335321 |
| Big Horn Canyon (surrounding areas) | 45.052759, -108.248587 |
| Horseshoe Hills | 46.023419, -111.272672 |
| Miles | 46.412916, -105.864522 |
| Glendive | 47.109559, -104.716109 |
| Gallatin Petrified Forest | 45.118949, -111.101655 |
Who wouldn’t love to add Montana dinosaur fossils to their rockhounding collection? Montana is a great state to collect all types of fossils, ranging from small plants to large dinosaurs. The official state fossil of Montana is the Duck-Billed Dinosaur, and it only exists in this state.
The Pryor Mountains, Big Horn Canyon, and Gallatin Petrified Forest are three of the top fossil sites in Montana.
TIP: Some people like fossils the way they are, while others like to make them shiny or polish them for reselling value or other aesthetic purposes. Find out more in the article below:
Make Your Fossils Shiny (Simple Clearing & Polishing Tips)
What Minerals Are Found in Montana
While Montana’s rocks are fascinating, there’s a whole world of amazing minerals in this state, such as:
Sapphire
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine | 46.242856, -113.582401 |
| Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine | 46.665685, -111.811656 |
| Rock Creek | 46.391091, -113.683049 |
| Dry Cottonwood Creek | 46.220559, -112.685071 |
| Yogo Gulch | 46.921852, -110.454780 |
Did you know that Montana is the best state in the U.S. for sapphires? There are many varieties of high-quality sapphires in this state, including the famous star sapphires. Blue, green, and white sapphires can be found in multiple areas throughout Montana.
The areas near the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine and the Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine have some of the best sapphires in the U.S.
Quartz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Crystal Park | 45.486671, -113.100064 |
| Delmoe Lake | 45.990159, -112.356928 |
| Rock Creek | 46.558280, -113.706611 |
| South Boulder River | 46.384788, -113.213446 |
| Pipestone | 45.896981, -112.232077 |
| Pole Creek | 46.804367, -111.801609 |
Just as you would expect from a mineral-rich state, Montana has plenty of quartz to offer rockhounds. There are many types of quartz in this state, including smokey quartz, clear quartz, and amethyst.
Visit Crystal Park, Delmoe Lake, and Rock Creek to bring home Montana quartz.
TIP: There are numerous fake quartz crystals you can come across in the market, even if quartz is the most widespread mineral. Find out more in the article below:
Real vs. Fake Quartz: Focus on These 12 Key Differences
Diamond
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Missouri Breaks | 47.844123, -110.396375 |
| Blaine County | 48.556639, -109.054235 |
| Hill County | 48.657144, -110.008866 |
| Grasshopper Creek | 45.115832, -112.898256 |
| Lewis and Clark County | 47.262654, -112.314690 |
| Garfield County | 47.647650, -106.810768 |
Almost every rockhound dreams of finding diamonds, and in Montana, you will have the opportunity to find this rare mineral. Diamonds from Montana come in all shapes and sizes, and one of the most famous Montana diamonds is called the Lewis and Clark Diamond, discovered in 1990 near Craig.
Missouri Breaks, Blaine County, and Hill County are some of top places to search for diamonds in Montana.
Topaz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Missouri River | 46.728227, -111.874481 |
| American Bar | 46.813034, -111.929179 |
| Helena | 46.581531, -112.034581 |
| Butte-Silver Bow | 45.811143, -112.864360 |
| Lewis and Clark County | 47.262654, -112.314690 |
| Jefferson County | 46.225017, -112.197955 |
One of the most beautiful types of topaz, known as Imperial Topaz, exists right here in Montana! In addition to the golden-orange Imperial Topaz, rockhounds often come across other varieties, including blue, yellow, clear, and more.
Some well-known areas to search for topaz in Montana are the Missouri River, American Bar, and Helena.
TIP: To have a higher chance of finding topaz specimens in nature, you first need to understand how this mineral forms and explore the familiar environments where it is found. Find out more in the article below:
Where to Find Topaz: Best Environments & Locations (USA)
Rhodonite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Butte-Silver Bow | 45.811143, -112.864360 |
| Emma Mine | 45.997003, -112.530353 |
| Badger Mine | 46.037151, -112.511981 |
| Park County | 45.454010, -110.533406 |
| Parnell Mine | 46.020222, -112.523864 |
| Mountain Consolidated Mine | 46.023397, -112.532758 |
In the metamorphic rocks of Montana, rockhounds often come across rhodonite. Rhodonite, known for its striking pink and black colors, is a mineral that’s found in multiple areas of the state.
Check out the areas in Butte-Silver Bow for high-quality rhodonite specimens.
Garnet
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lewis and Clark County | 47.262654, -112.314690 |
| Virginia City | 45.290989, -111.945043 |
| Missouri River | 46.728227, -111.874481 |
| American Bar | 46.813034, -111.929179 |
| Pole Creek | 46.804550, -111.801631 |
| Ruby River | 45.401893, -112.195369 |
From the Treasure State, rockhounds collect gem-quality garnets of all sizes and colors. Depending on the location, rockhounds collect bright red, orange red, or violet red garnets.
Search near Lewis and Clark County, Virginia City, or the Missouri River to find all kinds of Montana garnets.
TIP: There are more than twenty different species of garnets but only five species of garnets are worth cutting and polishing. Find out more in the article below:
How To Cut & Polish Garnets: Follow The 6 Simple Steps
Ruby
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Rock Creek | 46.391091, -113.683049 |
| Granite County | 46.447902, -113.429975 |
| Pole Creek | 46.804514, -111.801481 |
| Yogo Gulch | 46.921852, -110.454780 |
| Missouri River | 46.728227, -111.874481 |
| Judith Basin County | 46.923193, -110.456153 |
Rubies, one of the most popular gemstones, can be obtained from the Treasure State. Rubies and sapphires are often discovered together in this state, so keep an eye out for their famous red and blue colors!
Swing by the Missouri River, Yogo Gulch, or Rock Creek to bring home these shining red gems.
Opal
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Glendive | 47.109559, -104.716109 |
| Mount Blackmore | 45.443916, -111.003301 |
| Frying Pan Basin | 45.290484, -112.739877 |
| Gallatin National Forest | 45.249907, -111.001099 |
| Lodgepole Creek | 45.088433, -113.307170 |
| Beaverhead County | 45.257559, -112.875181 |
When you go rockhounding in the treasure state, keep your eyes peeled for opal! Some well-known types of opal that you can discover in this state are hyalite, moss opal, and opalized wood.
Each one of these finds is vastly different from one another in appearance, and every rockhound has the opportunity to add these unique finds to their collection in Montana.
Glendive, Mount Blackmore, and Frying Pan Basin are some well-known places for collecting Montana opals.
Gold
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Butte | 45.711503, -112.724284 |
| Marysville | 46.747004, -112.300090 |
| Helena | 46.576575, -112.035267 |
| Missouri River | 46.728227, -111.874481 |
| Blackfoot River | 46.937794, -113.398110 |
| Clark Fork River | 47.016318, -114.537177 |
| Boulder River | 45.530789, -110.207016 |
Gold, one of the most valuable minerals in the world, can be found all over the Treasure State. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of gold prospecting clubs in Montana that allow rockhounds and prospectors to come together to find this precious metal.
Montana is a large state with plenty of gold for all rockhounds; there are 54 mining districts in 17 Montana counties, and each one has produced over 10,000 ounces of gold. Certain areas, including Butte, Marysville, and Helena, have produced over 1 million ounces of gold!
Many regions in Montana contain gold, especially in the rivers, creeks, and other waterways. Some popular places to pan for gold include the Missouri River, the Blackfoot River, and the Clark Fork River.
TIP: Welcome to the exciting world of gold prospecting in Montana, the Treasure State! This vast expanse, rich in Wild West history, hides many golden opportunities beneath its surface. Find out more in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in Montana: 7 Best Locations & Laws
Tourmaline
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 46.198408, -112.140277 |
| Silver Bow County | 45.880684, -112.699611 |
| Beaverhead County | 44.994845, -112.904985 |
| Mill Canyon | 45.696134, -112.125248 |
| Granite County | 46.447902, -113.429975 |
| Delmoe Lake | 45.990159, -112.356928 |
Tourmalines come in all shapes and colors, and the ones from Montana tend to be on the darker side. You can find large blocks of tourmaline or smaller crystals, depending on where you go in the Treasure State.
Look near Jefferson County, Silver Bow County, and Beaverhead County for high-quality pieces of tourmaline.
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in Montana
Even though we have already discussed plenty of rocks and minerals, Montana has even more waiting in store for rockhounds:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in Montana
When you go rockhounding in Montana, you’ll have the chance to collect all kinds of fascinating rare rocks, including wonderstone, serpentine, jasper, dryhead or Montana Moss Agate, geodes, petrified or opalized wood, and kimberlites.
Even though all these rocks are interesting, Montana’s agates tend to steal the spotlight since they come in rare varieties. One of the most popular rockhounding finds in Montana is the Montana Moss Agate, which tends to be transparent/gray with splashes of black and reddish orange.
Not far behind in popularity is the dryhead agate, which is collected from multiple areas in Montana and displays gorgeous red, pink, black, and white patterns.
Some of the top rockhounding locations for all these rare rocks in Montana are the Pryor Mountains, Yellowstone River, Mount Blackmore, and Missouri River.
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in Montana
The list of rare minerals that you can find in Montana is a long one, so let’s dive right in! Some rare minerals that exist in Montana are:
- sapphires,
- rubies,
- diamonds,
- tourmalines,
- opals,
- gold,
- silver
- copper,
- garnet,
- topaz,
- rhodonite,
- amethyst,
- covellite,
- staurolite,
- onyx,
- fluorite,
- sphalerite,
- aquamarine,
- beryl,
- and smoky quartz.
From dazzling sapphires to sparkling opals, it seems like there is no end to the amount of precious and semi-precious stones in this state. In addition to these gems, Montana has a great range of metals, including gold, silver, and copper.
There are many locations in Montana where rockhounds discover all kinds of rare minerals, so if you are looking for a specific mineral or gem, it’s helpful to use the locations above for each stone to narrow down your search.
In general, some excellent rockhounding sites for minerals are the Missouri River, Butte, Mount Blackmore, and Lewis and Clark County.
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in Montana
There isn’t any doubt that the most famous mineral found in Montana is sapphire. Sapphires are one of the most valued gems, and high-quality sapphires are abundant in the Treasure State.
While the most common sapphire color is blue, rockhounds can also find gem-quality green or white sapphires from this state.
There are many pay-to-dig sites for sapphires in Montana, such as Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine and Sapphire Studio. Rockhounds can also explore the areas near Yogo Gulch, Rock Creek, and Dry Cottonwood Creek.
Conclusion
As you can see, Montana was named “The Treasure State” for a reason! In the gorgeous mountains and rivers of Montana, there are many kinds of precious gems, glittering minerals, and colorful rocks just waiting for a rockhound’s attention.
Whether you choose to go after the precious gems, such as sapphires and rubies, or the colorful rocks, such as wonderstones and agates, you’ll find everything you’re seeking and more in the Treasure State.
TIP: Montana is among the wealthiest states for rockhounding in its variety of precious, semi-precious stones or rare variants of common rocks such as agates. Find out more in the article below:
Where to Rockhound in Montana & What You Can Find