Miles City Boat Launch

Montana

Find: Montana moss agates, jasper (red/yellow/white), petrified wood

GPS: 46.41858, -105.86128

Nearest city: Billings, MT

Recommended Vehicle: Any vehicle to get to dock, AWD or high-clearance vehicle to get onto the shore itself.

Summary:

Montana moss agates are known for their translucency and their dark dendritic inclusions. The inclusions can come in a variety of colors and shapes based on oxidized minerals within the agate.

They are abundantly found in the plentiful gravels along the Yellowstone River. This boat launch and surrounding areas was a great spot to find them but there are truly an infinite amount of places to go within this area to find them.

You can get to this area with any vehicle, but I think you may struggle on the rocks in vehicles like sedans or FWD cars.

A Montana State Conservation Pass is required as of last year (2023) for activities such as hunting, fishing, birdwatching, or in our case… finding rocks on Montana State Lands. It’s like $10 if you’re out of state - Here’s a link: https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/conservation-license

 
The scenery of the Yellowstone River was beautiful. Parts were similar the surrounding areas of Theodore Roosevelt or Badlands National Park.

The scenery of the Yellowstone River was beautiful. Parts were similar the surrounding areas of Theodore Roosevelt or Badlands National Park.

The rocks here had nice variety, similar to the Great Lakes but with more packed dirt.

The rocks here had nice variety, similar to the Great Lakes but with more packed dirt.

Therefore, a geology pick is useful here.

Therefore, a geology pick is useful here.

Here's what I believe to be jasper of some sort. It seems like it would be excellent lapidary material with a wide array of diverse color.

Here's what I believe to be jasper of some sort. It seems like it would be excellent lapidary material with a wide array of diverse color.

Some botryoidal chalcedony along some of the nearby gravel roads.

Some botryoidal chalcedony along some of the nearby gravel roads.

This is a moss agate. They are translucent and the spots that appear to be dirt are actually oxidized iron or manganese.

This is a moss agate. They are translucent and the spots that appear to be dirt are actually oxidized iron or manganese.

That's about as Montana as it gets, huh?

That's about as Montana as it gets, huh?

Bonus: Watch the river for American Paddlefish. Growing up, this was my favorite animal. The Yellowstone River is part of their native range and they've become increasingly difficult to find.

Bonus: Watch the river for American Paddlefish. Growing up, this was my favorite animal. The Yellowstone River is part of their native range and they've become increasingly difficult to find.