Best spot

Glendive — Rockhounding in Dawson County, Montana

Glendive sits in eastern Montana's Yellowstone River agate belt, where gravel bars and nearby breaks are known for agate, jasper, and petrified-wood style silica material. The site earns its place because it represents the downstream end of the Montana agate story, where long river transport has already sorted and rounded much of the collectible material. Reported finds include agate, jasper, moss opal. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Dawson County
State: Montana
Nearest road: I 94
Postcode: 59330
Coordinates: 47.11491, -104.66504

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 Glendive

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 Glendive.

Across the state line from Glendive

Glendive 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.

Glendive FAQ

Why is Glendive one of the best rockhounding spots in Montana?+

Where is Glendive?+

Glendive is in Dawson County, Montana, at 47.11491, -104.66504. Nearest road: I 94.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Glendive?+

Glendive is reported to produce Agate, Jasper, Moss Opal.

Is collecting allowed at Glendive?+

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.

How do I get to Glendive?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 47.11491, -104.66504 in Google Maps. The nearest road is I 94.

More rockhounding in Montana

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Open Glendive on the map

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