Yellowstone River Sapphire Bars
Rockhounding site in Missoula, Montana · Gemstones
Yellowstone River Sapphire Bars is a sapphire rockhounding site near Missoula, MT. Fee varies. Best season: July through September low water.
Typical season: July through September low water
Key facts
Structured details for trip planning — verify access and fees with the land manager before you visit.
- Specimen type
- Sapphire
- Primary specimens
- Sapphire, Garnet, Gold
- Fee status
- Fee varies
- Nearest town
- Missoula
- State
- Montana
- Coordinates
- 46.58900, -111.92000
- Best season
- July through September low water
- Access difficulty
- Moderate stream gravel work
- Camping
- National Forest along river corridors
- Activities
- Placer sapphire recovery, gold panning
- Facilities
- Varies by access point
- Last updated
- July 5, 2026
What to pack for Yellowstone River Sapphire Bars
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The experience
- Best time to visitJuly through September low water
- AccessModerate stream gravel work
- FacilitiesVaries by access point
- Camping nearbyNational Forest along river corridors
Map & location
Sources & updates
Spotted outdated access, fees, or safety info? Send a correction with the page URL — we review every submission.
Safety notice: Field and weather conditions change with weather, season, and field conditions. Verify current conditions with local land managers before you go. Collect at your own risk — there are rarely rangers or land managers at these sites.