White Cloud Mine: Beryl Rockhounding in Ravalli County, Montana

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Ravalli County

State

Montana

Nearest road

Eight Mile Creek Road

Coordinates

46.65260, -113.93706

Geology at White Cloud Mine

This spot sits on Helena Formation and Wallace Formation, undivided, mapped as area 1: (limestone, dolomite, dolomitic siltite, calcareous siltite, argillite); area 2: (dolomitic siltite, quartzite, argillite, and sedimentary breccia) that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit

Helena Formation and Wallace Formation, undivided

Age

1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)

Rock types

area 1: (limestone, dolomite, dolomitic siltite, calcareous siltite, argillite); area 2: (dolomitic siltite, quartzite, argillite, and sedimentary breccia)

Elevation

4,060 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 White Cloud Mine

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 32°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 16°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, STEVENSVILLE station (12 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 White Cloud Mine

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

• BerylEncyclopedia →