Missouri River: Cassiterite & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Lewis and Clark County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Missouri River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Lewis and Clark County, Montana. Reported finds include cassiterite, chalcedony, garnet, gold, kyanite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Lewis and Clark County
State: Montana
Nearest road: Danas Point Drive
Coordinates: 46.72837, -111.87461

Geology at Missouri River

This spot sits on Alluvial and colluvial deposits, mapped as sand and gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Stream-worked gravels like these are where placer gold tends to concentrate, settling toward bedrock, inside gravel bars, and behind boulders.

Mapped unit: Alluvial and colluvial deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: sand and gravel
Elevation: 3,670 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 Missouri River

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 14°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HELENA AP ASOS station (10 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 Missouri River

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 Missouri River.

Missouri River FAQ

Where is Missouri River?+

Missouri River is in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, at 46.72837, -111.87461. Nearest road: Danas Point Drive.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Missouri River?+

Missouri River is reported to produce Cassiterite, Chalcedony, Garnet, Gold, Kyanite, Limonite, Sapphire, Topaz.

Is collecting allowed at Missouri River?+

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 Missouri River?+

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 Missouri River?+

The most comfortable months at Missouri River are March to October.

How do I get to Missouri River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.72837, -111.87461 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Danas Point Drive.

More rockhounding in Montana

See all 87 Montana spots →

Open Missouri River on the map

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