Montana

Rockhounding Regulations

General Rules

  • • BLM lands: 25 pounds per day plus one piece, 250 pounds per year limit
  • • Hand tools only for casual collecting
  • • Materials must be for personal use
  • • Reasonable amounts on National Forest lands

Permits & Licenses

  • • No permits for casual collecting on BLM lands
  • • USFS lands generally don't require permits
  • • Commercial collecting requires permits

Restrictions

  • • State Parks prohibit destroying or removing natural features
  • • Prohibited in National Parks
  • • Wilderness areas limited to surface collection
  • • Active mining claims require permission

Contacts

  • • BLM Montana: (406) 896-5000
  • • Montana State Parks: (406) 444-3750
  • • Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology: (406) 496-4180