Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
Discover your own Montana sapphires at Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine! A fun, hands-on gem sifting experience for the whole family.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover your own Montana sapphires at Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine! A fun, hands-on gem sifting experience for the whole family.
"We had an awesome afternoon! The dogs on the property were super friendly and my daughter loved spending time with them."
Bring Cash!
Cash is recommended for purchases and can speed up transactions. :moneywithwings:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of sifting and walking, so comfy shoes are a must! :athletic_shoe:
Quick Facts
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Sift Your Own Sapphires
Sifting area
Purchase bags of gravel and sift through them to discover your own Montana sapphires. A truly hands-on treasure hunt!
Excavation Dig Experience
Mine site
For the adventurous, book an excavation dig for a more in-depth mining experience. Channel Helena's rich mining history!
Gemstone Shop & Jewelry
On-site shop
Browse a selection of unique rocks, handmade cabochon jewelry, and finished sapphires. Perfect for souvenirs!
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Digging for Dollars (or Sapphires!)
What to Expect from Your Dig
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Bring Cash!
Cash is recommended for purchases and can speed up transactions. :moneywithwings:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of sifting and walking, so comfy shoes are a must! :athletic_shoe:
Hydrate & Stay Cool
They offer misters and shaded areas, but bring water and sunscreen. :droplet: :sunwithface:
Manage Expectations
It's about the fun experience, not necessarily finding a fortune. 💎
Tips
from all over the internet
Bring Cash!
Cash is recommended for purchases and can speed up transactions. :moneywithwings:
Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of sifting and walking, so comfy shoes are a must! :athletic_shoe:
Hydrate & Stay Cool
They offer misters and shaded areas, but bring water and sunscreen. :droplet: :sunwithface:
Manage Expectations
It's about the fun experience, not necessarily finding a fortune. 💎
Friendly Staff & Dogs
Enjoy the helpful staff and super-friendly dogs on the property! 🐕
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine for its fun, family-friendly atmosphere and the excitement of sifting for Montana sapphires. The helpful staff and the chance to find colorful gemstones are major draws, though some note that the on-site mine yields fewer finds than in the past. Overall, it's highly recommended for a memorable and engaging experience.
"We debated about a few spots on our roadtrip out to Montana to mine for sapphires. We landed on this one because we could do a dig experience on site (for fun) for $10 a bucket but they inform you, their mine on site it’s really rare to find sapphires anymore. We DID find a red garnet. We dug 2 buckets, total.
We sifted through 1 bucket and took 1 bucket home. We weren’t finding much so we bought an El Dorado bag. We sifted through about 1/4 of that and left with a bunch of baby pretty colored sapphires!
The site is great- good people and helpful. I will say, the dig site was manned by the owner of the mine. He is a character and just told us where to dig then drove away lol. So, if you want a step by step “how to dig and why and such” I wouldn’t do the dig here.
Would definitely come back. :)"
Kayla Warner
"My husband and I went through the ML bag that costs $100. We found several sapphires, some worthy of cutting. Afterwards, we took another ML bag back to our camper where we found even more sapphires. We had a great time and really enjoyed it. The dogs on the property were super friendly and my daughter loved spending time with them. We had an awesome afternoon!"
NGC
"As I've been getting into rockhounding, this spot has always been on my list. I finally made it out a few days ago with my curious sister and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The staff was super knowledgeable, giving us plenty of information about not only the site but other interesting facts, and answered all my random questions. Their shop is also packed with lots of unique rocks and handmade cab jewelry. As for sapphires, we got the Mother Load bag, and the image shows our score of the day. Overall, it was a super fun and laid-back experience for my sister and I. Eventually, I'll learn to facet and make something with the bigger sapphires.
*Other info that might be helpful:
- They provide all equipment for sifting.
- The road to the place was well mentioned, and I had no problem in my sedan.
- Cash is recommended."
Brannon Glatz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine is located near Helena, Montana. The road to the mine is generally well-maintained and accessible even for sedans, according to recent visitor feedback.
Yes, parking is available at the mine. Visitors have reported no issues with parking, even when arriving in larger vehicles.
Absolutely! Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine is a popular day trip destination from Helena, Montana, offering a fun and engaging activity for a few hours.
The road leading to the mine is generally good and manageable for most vehicles, including sedans.
While the sifting areas are generally accessible, the excavation dig might involve more rugged terrain. It's best to inquire directly about specific accessibility needs.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the mine is free, but you purchase bags of gravel to sift. Prices start around $10 for a bucket, with larger bags like the 'Mother Load' costing $100.
While walk-ins are often accommodated, booking in advance is recommended, especially for the excavation dig experience.
Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date information before your visit.
Yes, they offer various options, from individual buckets of gravel to larger 'ML' (Mother Load) bags, and even excavation dig experiences.
The mine provides all necessary equipment for sifting, so you don't need to bring your own.
🎫 💎 Onsite Experience
You can find Montana sapphires in various colors, including blue, pink, yellow, and green. Garnets are also commonly found. +5
Yes, it's a fantastic family-friendly activity! Kids love the hands-on experience of sifting and discovering gemstones.
They offer modern bathrooms, shaded areas with misters, and a small store selling gemstones and jewelry. Vending machines for drinks are also available.
Absolutely! Any gemstones you find are yours to keep. Many visitors even have them cut and set into jewelry.
Yes, visitors often mention the presence of super friendly dogs on the property that guests can interact with.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photography is generally allowed and encouraged! Capture your finds and the beautiful Montana scenery. 
The sifting areas with your finds, the scenic lake views, and the unique gemstones in the shop all make for great photo opportunities.
Definitely! Documenting your sapphire discoveries is part of the fun. Many visitors share their finds on social media.
There are no specific mentions of drone restrictions, but it's always best to be mindful of other visitors and any posted signage.
People often share photos of their sifting process, their gemstone hauls, close-ups of colorful sapphires, and scenic shots of the mine's surroundings.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit