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Glendive: Agate & Jasper Rockhounding in Dawson County, Montana

Public accessBest spot3 mineralsDawson County, MontanaUpdated June 2026
Minerals reported
3
Elevation
2,070 ft
Best months
March to October

Glendive sits in eastern Montana's Yellowstone River agate belt, where gravel bars and nearby breaks are known for agate, jasper, and petrified-wood style silica material. The site earns its place because it represents the downstream end of the Montana agate story, where long river transport has already sorted and rounded much of the collectible material. Reported finds include agate, jasper, moss opal. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

State
Montana
Nearest road
I 94
Postcode
59330
Get directionsView on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: Surface collect only where public access is clear; avoid private riverfront, archaeological sites, vertebrate fossils, and active claims.

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.

Best time to visit Glendive

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 9°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GLENDIVE station (3 mi away).

Geology at Glendive

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as gravel, sand, and silt that formed within roughly the last 2 million years. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.

Mapped unit
Alluvium
Age
2 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types
gravel, sand, and silt
Elevation
2,070 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.

Today's weather

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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:

Found at Glendive

Each name 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 Glendive.

Across the state line from Glendive

Glendive 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.

Glendive FAQ

Where is Glendive?+
Glendive is in Dawson County, Montana, at 47.11491, -104.66504. Nearest road: I 94.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Glendive?+
Glendive is reported to produce Agate, Jasper, Moss Opal.
Is collecting allowed at Glendive?+
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 Glendive?+
Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.
When is the best time to visit Glendive?+
The most comfortable months at Glendive are March to October.
How do I get to Glendive?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 47.11491, -104.66504 in Google Maps. The nearest road is I 94.

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