Where to Find Fluorite in Montana: 10 Mapped Sites
Montana has 10 documented sites where fluorite have been reported, and the best-known are Hope Group, Bell Boy Mine, and Northern Pacific. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 1 of the 10 sites is on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fluorite Map: Montana
All 10 fluorite sites in Montana. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fluorite Are Found in Montana
Fluorite fills low-temperature veins and flat-lying beds in limestone, classically alongside galena and sphalerite. Old fluorspar-district dumps and limestone-hosted veins are the productive ground.
The richest reported sites in Montana: Hope Group, Bell Boy Mine, Northern Pacific, Crystal Mountain Mine, Dry Gulch.
Of the 10 sites, 1 is public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Fluorite Sites in Montana
- Hope Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Bell Boy Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Northern Pacific — BLM/Public Lands
- Crystal Mountain Mine — Public Access
- Dry Gulch — Forest Service
- Lucky Jack — Forest Service
- Mystery — Forest Service
- Normandy — Forest Service
- Shell Canyon — Forest Service
- Spar Mine — Forest Service
How to Identify Fluorite
Fluorite forms glassy cubes in purple, green, yellow, or blue, and its octahedral cleavage is the tell: corners cleave off a cube cleanly, and broken pieces show triangular flat faces. Hardness 4 — a knife scratches it, which instantly separates it from quartz or amethyst. Many pieces fluoresce blue-violet under UV, the mineral that named the effect.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find fluorite in Montana?
Montana has 10 mapped sites where fluorite have been reported. The best-known are Hope Group, Bell Boy Mine, and Northern Pacific. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fluorite sites are mapped in Montana?
We have 10 documented fluorite sites in Montana, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fluorite in Montana?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify fluorite?
Fluorite forms glassy cubes in purple, green, yellow, or blue, and its octahedral cleavage is the tell: corners cleave off a cube cleanly, and broken pieces show triangular flat faces. Hardness 4 — a knife scratches it, which instantly separates it from quartz or amethyst. Many pieces fluoresce blue-violet under UV, the mineral that named the effect.
What should I bring to collect fluorite?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Fluorite in Nearby States
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.