Crystal Park: Amethyst & Smoky Quartz Rockhounding in Beaverhead County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Crystal Park is a mapped rockhounding spot in Beaverhead County, Montana. Reported finds include amethyst, smoky quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Paid / fee dig
County: Beaverhead County
State: Montana
Coordinates: 45.48637, -113.09990

Geology at Crystal Park

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 ground like this typically carries quartz veins and pockets, and weathered crystals tend to collect in the soils and drainages below.

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: 7,730 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 Crystal Park

Best months: May to October. Typical highs run 72°F in midsummer and 24°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 4°F. At about 7,730 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, JACKSON station (17 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Pay-to-dig site

This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out.

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 Crystal Park

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 Crystal Park.

Across the state line from Crystal Park

Crystal Park 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.

Crystal Park FAQ

Where is Crystal Park?+

Crystal Park is in Beaverhead County, Montana, at 45.48637, -113.09990.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Crystal Park?+

Crystal Park is reported to produce Amethyst, Smoky Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Crystal Park?+

Pay-to-dig site. This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Crystal Park?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Crystal Park?+

The most comfortable months at Crystal Park are May to October. At about 7,730 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Crystal Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 45.48637, -113.09990 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Montana

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