Ruby Reservoir
Alder, Montana
garnet
Public land, rules apply · Free
Ruby Reservoir
The BLM's own page for this Ruby Valley reservoir states it plainly: garnets can be collected along the shoreline. Runoff and wave action keep re-sorting the heavy red almandine into ribbons in the sand, so the work is screening at the waterline rather than swinging a pick. Go when the water is low, stay off the private ground at the margins, and keep vehicles on established roads.
The card catalog
| What you can find | garnet |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Free |
| Fees | No fees. BLM's site page states plainly that garnets can be collected along the shoreline; standard BLM casual-collecting limits apply and nothing collected may be sold. |
| Season & hours | Site is open year-round, but collecting is best in late summer and fall when the reservoir is drawn down and the garnet bands sit exposed. Water levels fluctuate a lot because the reservoir is used for irrigation. Access roads turn to gumbo when wet. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Beach-combing with a kitchen sieve at the waterline - no digging and no altitude. BLM's page does not list facilities, so assume no drinking water and haul your own; call the Dillon Field Office at 406-683-8000 to confirm conditions. |
| Official source | Bureau of Land Management - Dillon Field Office |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Ruby Reservoir cost?
No fees. BLM's site page states plainly that garnets can be collected along the shoreline; standard BLM casual-collecting limits apply and nothing collected may be sold. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Ruby Reservoir open?
Site is open year-round, but collecting is best in late summer and fall when the reservoir is drawn down and the garnet bands sit exposed. Water levels fluctuate a lot because the reservoir is used for irrigation. Access roads turn to gumbo when wet. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Ruby Reservoir good for kids?
Yes — Ruby Reservoir works for families. Beach-combing with a kitchen sieve at the waterline - no digging and no altitude. BLM's page does not list facilities, so assume no drinking water and haul your own; call the Dillon Field Office at 406-683-8000 to confirm conditions.