Old Nye Picnic Area: Silver Rockhounding in Stillwater County, Montana

Updated June 2026

Old Nye Picnic Area is a mapped rockhounding spot in Stillwater County, Montana. Reported finds include silver. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Stillwater County
State: Montana
Nearest road: Mountain View Road
Coordinates: 45.38825, -109.90050

Geology at Old Nye Picnic Area

This spot sits on Wyoming Province, Stillwater Complex, Bronzitite zone, mapped as bronzitite that formed roughly 4030 to 2500 million years ago. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Wyoming Province, Stillwater Complex, Bronzitite zone
Age: 4030–2500 Ma (Archean)
Rock types: bronzitite
Elevation: 6,760 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 Old Nye Picnic Area

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 76°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 12°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NYE #2 station (6 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 Old Nye Picnic Area

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

Silver Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Old Nye Picnic Area.

Across the state line from Old Nye Picnic Area

Old Nye Picnic Area is close enough to the Montana border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Old Nye Picnic Area FAQ

Where is Old Nye Picnic Area?+

Old Nye Picnic Area is in Stillwater County, Montana, at 45.38825, -109.90050. Nearest road: Mountain View Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Old Nye Picnic Area?+

Old Nye Picnic Area is reported to produce Silver.

Is collecting allowed at Old Nye Picnic Area?+

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 Old Nye Picnic Area?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Old Nye Picnic Area?+

The most comfortable months at Old Nye Picnic Area are April to October.

How do I get to Old Nye Picnic Area?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 45.38825, -109.90050 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Mountain View Road.

More rockhounding in Montana

See all 87 Montana spots →

Open Old Nye Picnic Area on the map

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