Bear Paw Mountains: Columbite Rockhounding in Hill County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Bear Paw Mountains is a mapped rockhounding spot in Hill County, Montana. Reported finds include columbite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Hill County
State: Montana
Coordinates: 48.23712, -109.58201

Geology at Bear Paw Mountains

This spot sits on Latite, mapped as latite that formed roughly 66 to 3 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this weathers into rocky slopes and float, and fresh exposures in cuts and drainages are usually the most productive places to look.

Mapped unit: Latite
Age: 66–3 Ma (Tertiary)
Rock types: latite
Elevation: 4,580 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 Paw Mountains

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 78°F in midsummer and 21°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 0°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, FT ASSINIBOINE station (21 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 Paw Mountains

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

Columbite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Bear Paw Mountains.

Bear Paw Mountains FAQ

Where is Bear Paw Mountains?+

Bear Paw Mountains is in Hill County, Montana, at 48.23712, -109.58201.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bear Paw Mountains?+

Bear Paw Mountains is reported to produce Columbite.

Is collecting allowed at Bear Paw Mountains?+

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 Paw Mountains?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Bear Paw Mountains?+

The most comfortable months at Bear Paw Mountains are April to October.

How do I get to Bear Paw Mountains?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 48.23712, -109.58201 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Montana

See all 106 Montana spots →

Open Bear Paw Mountains on the map

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