Bear Canyon: Geode Digging in Carbon County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Bear Canyon is a mapped rockhounding spot in Carbon County, Montana. Reported finds include geode, agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Carbon County
State: Montana
Nearest road: Bear Canyon Road
Coordinates: 45.08181, -108.52584

Geology at Bear Canyon

This spot sits on Amsden Formation, mapped as shale and limestone that formed roughly 330 to 315 million years ago. Limestone country like this is classic geode ground: cavities in the carbonate rock can line themselves with quartz or calcite crystals.

Mapped unit: Amsden Formation
Age: 330–315 Ma (Mississippian to Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: shale and limestone
Elevation: 5,330 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 Bear Canyon

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 2°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DEAVER station (13 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 Bear Canyon

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 Bear Canyon.

Across the state line from Bear Canyon

Bear Canyon 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.

Bear Canyon FAQ

Where is Bear Canyon?+

Bear Canyon is in Carbon County, Montana, at 45.08181, -108.52584. Nearest road: Bear Canyon Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bear Canyon?+

Bear Canyon is reported to produce Geode, Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Bear Canyon?+

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 Bear Canyon?+

Bring a crack hammer, a chisel, safety glasses, and a bucket. Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rock; a soil pipe cutter opens them cleaner than a flat smash.

When is the best time to visit Bear Canyon?+

The most comfortable months at Bear Canyon are March to October.

How do I get to Bear Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 45.08181, -108.52584 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Bear Canyon Road.

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Open Bear Canyon on the map

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