Rockhounding & Geology
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Visitors enjoy the Pintler Scenic Route through the mountain pass and along Georgetown Lake to kick start their exploration. Old tailings of scheelite and epidote are found at Cable Mountain, northeast of Georgetown Lake. Argillite and quartzite can be found to the west of Georgetown Lake. In addition, prospectors find argillite and quartzite can be found to the west of Georgetown Lake. For information, call 406-563-2400. BOULDER RIVER BARITE Nice cubic crystals of barite can be found about five miles west of the Whitehouse campground along the Boulder River. Take the Bernice exit off I-15 between Basin and Butte. It is about five miles to the campground. For information, call Montana Tech at 406-496-4395. RADAR CREEK & TOLL MOUNTAIN Butte is known around the world for the incredible stores of gold, silver, and copper, that were mined in the 19th and 20th centuries. The area remains one of geologic wonder begging exploration. Limonite cubes can be found near Toll Mountain just south of Butte. In addition, the Radar Creek area located near Toll Mountain yields incredible smoky quartz crystals (smoky quartz are also found in the Boulder Batholith region). For information, call Montana Tech at 406-496-4395. CALVERT HILL MINE The Calvert Hill area west of Wise River is noted for epidote, aquamarine and garnets. The area is reached by driving about six miles west of Wise River on Highway 43 to the campground on the south side of the Dickey Bridge. From there it is about eight miles on a gravel road to the mine area. The minerals can be found in the country rock and mine dump. For information, call Montana Tech at 406-496-4395. SOUTHWEST MONTANA • 1105 MAIN ST, DEER LODGE, MT 59722 • 1-800-879-1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM ROCKHOUNDING Gem Mountain CRYSTAL PARK Crystal Park is a unique recreation area at 7,800 feet in the Pioneer Mountains. Open to the public, you are welcome to dig for quartz crystal here if you follow the posted rules. There is a $5 per vehicle fee charged to help maintain the facilities. Brilliant amethyst and smokey quartz crystals can be found in the normal form as well as scepter, double terminated and Japanese Law Twin forms. Open from May 15 through October 15 weather conditions permitting. From the town of Wise River take the Pioneer Scenic Byway and drive 17 miles to the site. For information, call the Forest Service at 406-683-3900. CRYSTAL BUTTE Located eight miles west of Twin Bridges, Montana, Crystal Butte can be accessed via county roads from Twin Bridges on the east, or Melrose on the west. White quartz crystals can be found scattered across the landscape. HELENA AREA The Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine and Gold Fever Rock Shop is the place to mine for beautiful Montana Sapphires. Located near the Missouri River, the Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine allows digging for a fee and will rent the proper equipment to you if you don’t have your own. For information, call 406-227-8989. PHILIPSBURG AREA Search the tailings of old mining sites for tiny crystals of manganese minerals. Beautiful Montana sapphires can be “mined” year-round indoors at the Sapphire Gallery on Philipsburg’s main street and during the summer months at Gem Mountain off