Landusky: Gold Prospecting in Phillips County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Landusky is a mapped rockhounding spot in Phillips County, Montana. Reported finds include gold, pyrolusite, malachite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Phillips County
State: Montana
Nearest road: Ritch Street
Coordinates: 47.91540, -108.61265

Geology at Landusky

This spot sits on Syenite, mapped as syenite that formed roughly 66 to 3 million years ago. Gold in granitic terrain like this is typically tied to quartz veins along contacts and shear zones, with placer color in the streams that drain them.

Mapped unit: Syenite
Age: 66–3 Ma (Tertiary)
Rock types: syenite
Elevation: 5,140 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 Landusky

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 75°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 10°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ZORTMAN station (4 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 Landusky

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 Landusky.

Landusky FAQ

Where is Landusky?+

Landusky is in Phillips County, Montana, at 47.91540, -108.61265. Nearest road: Ritch Street.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Landusky?+

Landusky is reported to produce Gold, Pyrolusite, Malachite.

Is collecting allowed at Landusky?+

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 Landusky?+

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 Landusky?+

The most comfortable months at Landusky are April to October.

How do I get to Landusky?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 47.91540, -108.61265 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Ritch Street.

More rockhounding in Montana

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Open Landusky on the map

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