Best spot

Calvert Hill Mine: Scheelite & Garnet Rockhounding in Beaverhead County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Calvert Hill Mine adds a tungsten-skarn flavor to the Montana list, with Mindat describing a surface mine in Cambrian Meagher Formation limestone and listing scheelite, garnet, beryl var. aquamarine, chalcopyrite, molybdenite, pyrite, and smoky quartz in the district. That mineral spread makes it a stronger educational pick than another agate bar from the same river system. Reported finds include scheelite, garnet, aquamarine, tungsten. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Calvert Hill Mine photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Gem-quality blue aquamarine (beryl) crystal on muscovite, a representative specimen of the signature mineral at Calvert Hill Mine, Beaverhead County, Montana

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Beaverhead County
State: Montana
Nearest road: Calvert Loop Road
Coordinates: 45.84889, -113.15242

Geology at Calvert Hill Mine

This spot sits on Pioneer batholith, granodiorite, tonalite, and quartz diorite, mapped as hornblende-biotite granodiorite, biotite tonalite, biotite-hornblende tonalite, quartz diorite, and granitic rocks that formed roughly 100 to 66 million years ago. Granitic rock like this is where pegmatite pockets tend to occur, the coarse-crystal settings that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, mica, and feldspar.

Mapped unit: Pioneer batholith, granodiorite, tonalite, and quartz diorite
Age: 100–66 Ma (Late Cretaceous)
Rock types: hornblende-biotite granodiorite, biotite tonalite, biotite-hornblende tonalite, quartz diorite, and granitic rocks
Elevation: 7,170 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Calvert Hill Mine

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 74°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 3°F. At about 7,170 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WISE RVR 3 WNW station (8 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM Montana — Recreational mineral collecting
Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine (fee-dig operator)
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Calvert Hill Mine

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Calvert Hill Mine.

Across the state line from Calvert Hill Mine

Calvert Hill Mine is close enough to the Montana border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Calvert Hill Mine FAQ

Where is Calvert Hill Mine?+

Calvert Hill Mine is in Beaverhead County, Montana, at 45.84889, -113.15242. Nearest road: Calvert Loop Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Calvert Hill Mine?+

Calvert Hill Mine is reported to produce Scheelite, Garnet, Aquamarine, Tungsten.

Is collecting allowed at Calvert Hill Mine?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Calvert Hill Mine?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Calvert Hill Mine?+

The most comfortable months at Calvert Hill Mine are April to October. At about 7,170 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Calvert Hill Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 45.84889, -113.15242 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Calvert Loop Road.

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