Finding Gemstones on the Beach in Montana

Last weekend, my spouse and I got to experience something fun. We went hunting for “rubies” at Ruby Reservoir in southwest Montana. We had booked an Airbnb in Virginia City for a weekend getaway from Billings. Having some time to kill, I suggested we check out the reservoir. I’m a bit of a rockhound and it’s been on my list of places to visit forever.

Ruby Reservoir, located between Ennis and Dillon in Madison County Montana, is a hidden gem for gem enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Set against the backdrop of the Tobacco Root Mountains, it’s not only a haven for outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking but also a popular spot for garnet hunting.

Playing tourist in Southwest Montana.

We took the short drive from Virginia City to Ruby Reservoir, stopping for a couple of quick photos in the tiny hamlet of Alder. The paved road to the lake provided a picturesque drive, easily accessible by car.

A handful of boaters and jet skis were zooming around the lake as we parked and headed down to the only “beach” that was accessible without a boat.

There wasn’t really much of a beach at the BLM campground on the east shore of the lake, but we managed to find a sandy spot at the boat launch and plopped down on a couple of folding chairs.

We found our first garnet within minutes.

I didn’t expect to find anything, but not five minutes after we wandered down to the water’s edge I spotted the first reddish/purple sparkle of a tiny garnet. Eureka! I got the same adrenaline rush I get from hitting on a keno machine or when a trout strikes my line.

No equipment? No problem.

We didn’t have a shovel, gold pan, tweezers, or even a bucket, but I improved with a plastic cooler lid. We spent the next couple of hours soaking up the sunshine and the pleasant afternoon, collecting a bunch of tiny red garnets in the process.

Most of our “rubies” were about the size of a coarse sea salt.

My improvised pan – aka cooler lid – showed countless specks of shimmering garnet, the size of fine sand. We collected about 20 that were big enough to pick.

Talking to locals after our adventure, they recommended visiting late in the summer when the water level at the reservoir is lower for best success. Others mentioned searching downstream from the dam.

If you want to feel like a treasure hunter too, stop by Ruby Reservoir next time you’re in southwest Montana and try your luck hunting for gemstones. It’s fun, free, and an enjoyable experience.