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Where to Find Garnet in Montana

Montana has 7 mapped collecting spots that report garnet, spread across 3 counties. The largest share sits in Madison County with 4 spots. 5 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible, and 1 is a fee-dig site.

Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.

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Every garnet spot we track in Montana

Standout garnet spots in Montana

Hand-picked from the full list above, with the reason each one earns a trip.

Best counties for garnet in Montana

Ranked by the number of mapped garnet spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.

Before you go

Read the garnet identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Garnet in the encyclopedia.

Garnet in Montana FAQ

Where can you find garnet in Montana?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Madison County, Lewis and Clark County, and Beaverhead County. Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.
How many garnet spots are mapped in Montana?+
7 spots across 3 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect garnet in Montana?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 5 of the 7 mapped spots here sit on land marked public, and 1 is a fee-dig operation where you pay for access and keep what you find. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.

Where else to find garnet

More minerals to hunt in Montana

Hunt garnet in Montana with the map in your pocket

RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.

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