Virginia City — Rockhounding in Madison County, Montana
Virginia City is a mapped rockhounding spot in Madison County, Montana. Reported finds include garnet, gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Virginia City in Madison County, Montana
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Madison County
- State
- Montana
- Nearest road
- Grant Mine
- Postcode
- 59755
- Coordinates
- 45.27579, -111.95119
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:
- 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 Virginia City
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 Virginia City.
- EnnisMadison County, Montana · 6 mi awayAndalusite, Kyanite, Sillimanite
- Ruby RiverTop pick in MontanaMadison County, Montana · 7 mi awayAlmandine Garnet
- Gravelly RangeMadison County, Montana · 14 mi awayOnyx
- Gem MountainMadison County, Montana · 20 mi awaySapphire
- Bismark MineMadison County, Montana · 24 mi awayMolybdenite, Pyrite, Chalcopyrite
- Pole CreekMadison County, Montana · 29 mi awayGarnet, Gold, Quartz
- Mill CanyonMadison County, Montana · 30 mi awayTourmaline
- South Boulder RiverMadison County, Montana · 31 mi awayQuartz
Across the state line from Virginia City
Virginia City 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.
Virginia City FAQ
Where is Virginia City?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Virginia City?+
Is collecting allowed at Virginia City?+
How do I get to Virginia City?+
More rockhounding in Montana
See all 87 Montana spots →Open Virginia City on the map
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