Whitehall: Gold Prospecting in Jefferson County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Whitehall is a mapped rockhounding spot in Jefferson County, Montana. Reported finds include galena, gold, sphalerite, pyrite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Jefferson County
State: Montana
Nearest road: Paul Gulch Road
Coordinates: 45.91791, -112.04108

Geology at Whitehall

This spot sits on Quartzite of Queener Mountain, quartzite along Skalkaho Creek, Spokane Formation, and Greyson Formation, undivided, mapped as 600m(quartzite)| 1000m-(argillite, silty argillite, sandstone, and siltstone) that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Gold in metamorphic belts like this is typically tied to quartz veins and shear zones, with placer color in the creeks that cut them.

Mapped unit: Quartzite of Queener Mountain, quartzite along Skalkaho Creek, Spokane Formation, and Greyson Formation, undivided
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: 600m(quartzite)| 1000m-(argillite, silty argillite, sandstone, and siltstone)
Elevation: 5,590 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 Whitehall

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 9°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BOULDER station (22 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 Whitehall

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 Whitehall.

Whitehall FAQ

Where is Whitehall?+

Whitehall is in Jefferson County, Montana, at 45.91791, -112.04108. Nearest road: Paul Gulch Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Whitehall?+

Whitehall is reported to produce Galena, Gold, Sphalerite, Pyrite.

Is collecting allowed at Whitehall?+

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 Whitehall?+

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 Whitehall?+

The most comfortable months at Whitehall are April to October.

How do I get to Whitehall?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 45.91791, -112.04108 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Paul Gulch Road.

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