Where to Find Malachite in Montana: 257 Mapped Sites
Montana has 257 documented sites where malachite have been reported, and the best-known are Grigg Group, Hilltop Prospect, and Overlook. 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 257 sites is on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Malachite Map: Montana
All 257 malachite sites in Montana. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Malachite Are Found in Montana
Malachite forms wherever copper ore oxidizes near the surface, so old copper-mine dumps and green-stained outcrops are the reliable places. It often coats fracture faces in the host rock.
The richest reported sites in Montana: Grigg Group, Hilltop Prospect, Overlook, Rockefeller, Unidentified Occurrence.
Of the 257 sites, 1 is public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Malachite Sites in Montana
- Grigg Group — Forest Service
- Hilltop Prospect — Forest Service
- Overlook — Forest Service
- Rockefeller — Forest Service
- Unidentified Occurrence — Forest Service
- Unidentified Occurrence — Forest Service
- Arrowhead and South America Prospect — Forest Service
- Barbara Anne Prospect — Forest Service
- Bismark-Nugget Group — Forest Service
- Bluebird Ni-Cu — Forest Service
- Bresnahan and Fenner — Forest Service
- Broken Bottle — Forest Service
- Chrome Mountain Ni-Cu — Forest Service
- Crescent Creek Ni-Cu — Forest Service
- Fishtail Creek Ni-Cu — Forest Service
- Forge Ni-Cu — Forest Service
- Frances Copper Prospect — Forest Service
- Goat Creek — Forest Service
- Granite Creek Prospect — Forest Service
- Iron Mountain Ni-Cu Camp — Forest Service
- Jacobson Meadows — Forest Service
- Janet 50 — Forest Service
- Kirkendal Mine — Forest Service
- Leonard Ii — Forest Service
- Logger Claims Group — Forest Service
- Nye Basin Ni-Cu East — Forest Service
- Picket Pin — Forest Service
- Russell Group Prospect — Forest Service
- Arcturus Claim — Forest Service
- Basic Metals Mine — Forest Service
- Bear Gulch Adit — BLM/Public Lands
- Bismuth Prospect — Forest Service
- Bismuth Prospect — Forest Service
- Bluebell Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Blue Stone — Forest Service
- Bonanza Group Mine — Forest Service
- Boulder River Nickel Prospect — Forest Service
- Boulder River Ni-Cu East — Forest Service
- Boulder River Ni-Cu Riverside — Forest Service
- Bullidick Prospect — Forest Service
- Buster Mine — Forest Service
- Camp Prospect — BLM/Public Lands
- Chrome Lake Ni-Cu — Forest Service
- Cincinnatti Quartz Lode Claim — Forest Service
- Copper Queen — Forest Service
- Craig Property — Forest Service
- Crescent Peak Ni-Cu — Forest Service
- Deerlodge Basin Prospect — Forest Service
- Deer Lodge Basin Prospects — Forest Service
- Dg Prospects — Forest Service
Showing 50 of 257 sites — every site appears on the map above.
How to Identify Malachite
Malachite is unmistakably green — from bright emerald crusts to dark banded masses — with a silky-to-dull luster and a pale green streak. It is soft (3.5–4, scratches with a knife easily) and fizzes gently in vinegar. Banded, rounded (botryoidal) surfaces are classic. Blue azurite alongside it is a bonus find from the same chemistry.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find malachite in Montana?
Montana has 257 mapped sites where malachite have been reported. The best-known are Grigg Group, Hilltop Prospect, and Overlook. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many malachite sites are mapped in Montana?
We have 257 documented malachite sites in Montana, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect malachite 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 malachite?
Malachite is unmistakably green — from bright emerald crusts to dark banded masses — with a silky-to-dull luster and a pale green streak. It is soft (3.5–4, scratches with a knife easily) and fizzes gently in vinegar. Banded, rounded (botryoidal) surfaces are classic. Blue azurite alongside it is a bonus find from the same chemistry.
What should I bring to collect malachite?
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.
Malachite 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.