Where to Find Silver in Montana: 261 Mapped Sites
Montana has 261 documented sites where silver have been reported, and the best-known are Basin (Cataract, Comet) District, Grigg Group, and Hilltop Prospect. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 4 of the 261 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Silver Map: Montana
All 261 silver sites in Montana. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Silver Are Found in Montana
Silver rides hydrothermal veins, usually alongside galena and other sulfides, and enriches in the oxidized upper parts of old mining districts. Historic silver-district dumps are the practical hunting ground.
The richest reported sites in Montana: Basin (Cataract, Comet) District, Grigg Group, Hilltop Prospect, Overlook, Rockefeller.
Of the 261 sites, 4 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Silver Sites in Montana
- Basin (Cataract, Comet) District — Forest Service
- 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
- Boulder District-Montana — BLM/Public Lands
- 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
- Helena District — Forest Service
- Iron Mountain Ni-Cu Camp — Forest Service
- Jacobson Meadows — Forest Service
- Kirkendal Mine — Forest Service
- Leonard Ii — Forest Service
- Logger Claims Group — Forest Service
- Montreal Star — Forest Service
- Nye Basin Ni-Cu East — 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
Showing 50 of 261 sites — every site appears on the map above.
How to Identify Silver
Native silver rarely looks silver in the field — it tarnishes dark gray to black. The tells are its wire and branching (dendritic) growth habits, serious heft, and malleability: a knife point digs a bright metallic groove instead of flaking the surface. On mine dumps, dark heavy pieces that cut rather than crumble deserve a second look.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find silver in Montana?
Montana has 261 mapped sites where silver have been reported. The best-known are Basin (Cataract, Comet) District, Grigg Group, and Hilltop Prospect. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many silver sites are mapped in Montana?
We have 261 documented silver sites in Montana, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect silver 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 silver?
Native silver rarely looks silver in the field — it tarnishes dark gray to black. The tells are its wire and branching (dendritic) growth habits, serious heft, and malleability: a knife point digs a bright metallic groove instead of flaking the surface. On mine dumps, dark heavy pieces that cut rather than crumble deserve a second look.
What should I bring to collect silver?
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.
Silver 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.