SapphireMT
Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine
Commercial sapphire gravel operation near Philipsburg where visitors wash concentrate for Montana's famous pastel sapphires.
View detailsRockhounding sites near Philipsburg
24 rockhounding collecting sites within about 80 miles of Philipsburg, Montana.
This page lists 24 natural rockhounding sites near Philipsburg, Montana, sorted by distance within about 80 miles.
Where can you collect near Philipsburg?
Near Philipsburg, Montana, our directory maps 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 80 miles of the city center — including 1 gemstones, 6 gold & mineralss, 1 turquoise & opal, and 16 others. The closest mapped spot is Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine (0 mi straight-line). Distances are not drive time; open each listing for directions, fee notes, access rules, and safety context before you travel.
At a glance — rockhounding sites near Philipsburg
| Central place | Philipsburg, Montana |
|---|---|
| Search radius | About 80 miles |
| Mapped spots | 24 |
| Closest listing | Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine (0 mi) |
| Specimen types | Gemstones (1), Gold & Minerals (6), Turquoise & Opal (1), Other (16) |
| Typical fees | 1 fee · 23 varies |
All rockhounding sites near Philipsburg
24 rockhounding collecting sites in Montana, sorted by distance from the city center. For live GPS sorting, use rockhounding sites near me.
BariteMT
Hope Group
Hope Group is a historic mining site in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Barite, Copper, Fluorite, Galena, Gold, Pyrolusite.
View details
ChrysocollaMT
Phillipsburg
Phillipsburg is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Chrysocolla, Rhodochrosite, Ore minerals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View details
GoldMT
Modoc Claim
Modoc Claim is a documented mineral site in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Billie Goat Mine
Billie Goat Mine is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Malachite, Silver, Sphalerite.
View detailsGoldMT
Porter Mine
Porter Mine is a historic mining site in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsGoldMT
Autumn Placer
Autumn Placer is a documented mineral site in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Hidden Treasure-ramona
Hidden Treasure-Ramona is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Gold, Malachite.
View detailsSilverMT
W. J. Bryan
W. J. Bryan is a documented mineral site in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Silver.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Travonia Claim
Travonia Claim is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Gold, Malachite.
View detailsAzuriteMT
A & M Prospect
A & M Prospect is a mineral prospect in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Malachite, Silver.
View detailsGoldMT
Annie Claim
Annie Claim is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Rombauer Mine
Rombauer Mine is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Gold, Malachite.
View detailsGoldMT
Gold Way Placer
Gold Way Placer is a mineral prospect in Powell, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Ohio Fraction Quartz Lode Claim
Ohio Fraction Quartz Lode Claim is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Gold, Malachite, Silver.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Dg Prospects
Dg Prospects is a mineral prospect in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Gold, Malachite.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Champaign Lode Claim
Champaign Lode Claim is a known mineral occurrence in Deer Lodge, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Malachite, Silver.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Ohio Quartz Lode Claim
Ohio Quartz Lode Claim is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Malachite, Silver.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Cincinnatti Quartz Lode Claim
Cincinnatti Quartz Lode Claim is a mineral prospect in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Gold, Malachite.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Granite Creek Prospect
Granite Creek Prospect is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Malachite, Silver.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Starlight Quartz Lode Claim
Starlight Quartz Lode Claim is a mineral prospect in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Gold, Malachite.
View detailsMineralMT
Little Gold Creek Placer
Little Gold Creek Placer is a historic mining site in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Copper, Galena, Gold, Platinum, Rutile, Wolframite.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Double Eagle
Double Eagle is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Malachite, Silver, Stibnite.
View detailsAzuriteMT
Fairview Quartz Lode Claim
Fairview Quartz Lode Claim is a known mineral occurrence in Granite, Montana, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Malachite, Silver.
View detailsMap of rockhounding sites near Philipsburg
Pins within about 80 miles — open a listing for fees, access, and directions.
24 sites mapped near Philipsburg
Closest sites by distance
- Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine — 0 mi · Sapphire
- Hope Group — 1 mi · Barite
- Phillipsburg — 1 mi · Chrysocolla
- Modoc Claim — 7 mi · Gold
- Billie Goat Mine — 7 mi · Azurite
- Porter Mine — 7 mi · Gold
- Autumn Placer — 7 mi · Gold
- Hidden Treasure-ramona — 8 mi · Azurite
- W. J. Bryan — 8 mi · Silver
- Travonia Claim — 8 mi · Azurite
- A & M Prospect — 9 mi · Azurite
- Annie Claim — 9 mi · Gold
- Rombauer Mine — 9 mi · Azurite
- Gold Way Placer — 9 mi · Gold
- Ohio Fraction Quartz Lode Claim — 9 mi · Azurite
Types of rockhounding sites near Philipsburg
Browse by specimen type in Montana — each link opens the full state directory for that category.
Gemstones (1)
Facetable and collector gems — emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz, beryl, and tourmaline localities.
Gold & Minerals (6)
Placer gold, pyrite, copper minerals, and general ore-mineral localities open to casual collecting.
Turquoise & Opal (1)
Turquoise, opal, variscite, and other prized lapidary materials from the American Southwest and beyond.
Other (16)
Mixed or specialty collecting — zeolites, fluorescent minerals, thundereggs, and unique regional finds.
Natural collecting sites in the Philipsburg area
Philipsburg is a practical launch point for day trips to natural rockhounding sites in Montana. Within about 80 miles you will find 24 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine about 0 mi from the city center.
The mix spans gemstones, gold & minerals, turquoise & opal, other — related terms searchers use include creek gravel collecting, desert washes, road cuts, and field collecting.
How distances work near Philipsburg
Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in Montana with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Philipsburg city center — not driving time. A creek rockhounding site 12 miles away on forest roads can take longer than a river access point 20 miles away on a highway.
Field collecting near Philipsburg includes informal gravel bars, dry washes, quarry faces, and developed park collecting areas. Rules, fees, and seasonal access differ by land manager. Never assume collecting is allowed without checking the listing and posted signs the day you visit.
Safety and field conditions near you
Field conditions near Philipsburg change after rain, snowmelt, and summer heat. Unstable slopes, heat exhaustion, loose rock, and flash floods are real risks at creek and quarry rockhounding sites — most sites have no supervision. Check weather and local advisories before you start digging.
We publish original planning copy, safety tips, and last-updated dates on each listing. See our editorial policy for sourcing standards, or contact us if access or conditions have changed.
Rockhounding sites near Philipsburg — FAQ
Where can you collect near Philipsburg?
Near Philipsburg, Montana, our directory lists 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 80 miles — mainly 1 gemstones, 6 gold & mineralss, 1 turquoise & opal, and 16 others. Each listing links to directions, fee notes, and safety context. Use near me on your phone for live distance sorting from your location.
How many rockhounding sites are near Philipsburg, Montana?
This page shows 24 mapped rockhounding collecting sites within about 80 miles of Philipsburg. The full Montana directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.
What is the closest rockhounding site to Philipsburg?
The closest mapped spot to Philipsburg is Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine (0 mi straight-line). Open that listing for driving directions, access notes, and current fee information — unofficial holes can change without notice.
Are rockhounding sites near Philipsburg free?
1 require a fee or park admission; 23 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.
What types of rockhounding sites are near Philipsburg?
Near Philipsburg, documented specimen types include gemstones, gold & mineralss, turquoise & opal, others. A rockhounding site is a natural outcrop, wash, or creek gravel bar — not a fee dig or shop. Filter by type on the Montana state page or open each card for specimen and access details.
When is the best time to visit rockhounding sites near Philipsburg?
Late spring through early fall is the usual field season near Philipsburg, but snowmelt, drought, and weekend crowds change conditions week to week. Check each listing before you drive — storms can make washes and creek banks unsafe.
Is it safe to collect near Philipsburg?
Field collecting near Philipsburg carries real risks: unstable slopes, heat, loose rock, and no rangers at most unofficial sites. Check weather and posted warnings the day you visit. Read our rockhounding safety basics guide and each listing's safety section before you dig.
Listing data last updated across spots on this page.