Agates near Butte, MT
10 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Butte report agate. The closest is Jefferson River, about 25 miles out (31 min drive).
Agates are banded chalcedony nodules that survive long after their volcanic host rock rots away, which is why they concentrate in gravel bars, beaches, and glacial deposits far from where they formed.
Map of 10 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Butte, Montana
Closest agates spots to Butte
- Jefferson RiverMadison County, Montana25 mi · 31 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Mount BlackmoreGallatin County, Montana83 mi · 1 hr 44 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Hyalite Opal
- CarbellaPark County, Montana95 mi · 1 hr 59 min driveAgate, Jasper, Petrified Wood
- MinerPark County, Montana96 mi · 2 hr driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Yellowstone RiverPark County, Montana98 mi · 2 hr 3 min driveAgate, Montana Agate, Moss Agate
- Bakers HoleGallatin County, Montana113 mi · 2 hr 22 min driveAgate
Types of agates reported near Butte
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate8
- Banded Agate1
- Montana Agate1
- Moss Agate1
- Red Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Butte
Sorted by distance from Butte. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson RiverPrimrose Lane | Madison County | 45.6902, -112.2745 | Public | |
| Mount BlackmoreBlackmore Trail | Gallatin County |
| 45.4447, -111.0035 | Public |
| CarbellaRock Creek Road South | Park County | 45.2175, -110.9273 | Public | |
| MinerTom Miner Creek Road | Park County | 45.1918, -110.9271 | Public | |
| Yellowstone RiverMyers Lane | Park County |
| 45.6285, -110.5678 | Public |
| Bakers HoleConservation Lane | Gallatin County | 44.7108, -111.0956 | Permission | |
| Meyers CoverWest Fork Camas Creek Road | Lemhi County | 44.8214, -114.4959 | Public | |
| ChallisGarden Creek Road | Custer County |
| 44.4940, -114.2999 | Public |
| Parker MountainNational Forest Development Road 68 | Lemhi County | 44.6068, -114.5458 | Public | |
| Malm GulchMalm Gulch Trail | Custer County | 44.3383, -114.2226 | Public |
Agates near Butte FAQ
Where can I find agates near Butte?+
10 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Butte report agate. The closest is Jefferson River in Madison County County, roughly 25 miles away (31 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Butte?+
9 of the 10 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What is the fastest way to spot an agate in a gravel bed?+
Look for waxy luster and translucence rather than color. Wet the stone or look right after rain: agate glows softly at thin edges when backlit, while jasper and chert stay opaque. Banding clinches it but is often hidden until the stone is cracked or tumbled.
How far from Butte do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 25 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 141 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Butte
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Butte with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
