Confederate Gulch: Gold Prospecting in Broadwater County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Confederate Gulch is a mapped rockhounding spot in Broadwater County, Montana. Reported finds include gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Broadwater County
State: Montana
Nearest road: Duck Creek Road
Coordinates: 46.47447, -111.39442

Geology at Confederate Gulch

This spot sits on Granitic rock, mapped as granite that formed roughly 145 to 66 million years ago. Gold in granitic terrain like this is typically tied to quartz veins along contacts and shear zones, with placer color in the streams that drain them.

Mapped unit: Granitic rock
Age: 145–66 Ma (Cretaceous)
Rock types: granite
Elevation: 5,070 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 Confederate Gulch

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 10°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TOWNSEND 3SE station (12 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 Confederate Gulch

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

Gold Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Confederate Gulch.

Confederate Gulch FAQ

Where is Confederate Gulch?+

Confederate Gulch is in Broadwater County, Montana, at 46.47447, -111.39442. Nearest road: Duck Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Confederate Gulch?+

Confederate Gulch is reported to produce Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Confederate Gulch?+

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 Confederate Gulch?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Confederate Gulch?+

The most comfortable months at Confederate Gulch are March to October.

How do I get to Confederate Gulch?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.47447, -111.39442 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Duck Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Montana

See all 87 Montana spots →

Open Confederate Gulch on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.