The great outdoors in Montana happen to be especially great. At our state parks, you'll find lakes, rivers, campsites, hiking trails, and miles and miles of unspoiled nature. And if you happen to be at Crystal Park, you can dig for beautiful quartz crystals and keep the ones you find.
You'll find in the Pioneer Mountains in southwest Montana, just outside of Dillon.
The 220-acre recreation area is open for day use, and you'll have to pay a small fee when you park.
The property offers sweeping views of the mountains and meadows surrounding it.
It also has a paved trail with benches and an overlook, as well as picnic areas with tables and grills.
Most people that visit Crystal Park, however, are on a mission to find treasures.
Quartz crystals are scattered abundantly throughout the area, which has been reserved by the Forest Service for the popular hobby of rockhounding.
On any given day, you'll find plenty of Montanans here searching for their perfect prisms.
Quartz crystals don't have much monetary value, but to some, they're priceless.
Quartz Crystals are composed of silicon and oxygen atoms, typically found near river beds and beaches.
Here, they're found in the decomposed granite landscape of the park.
Rockhounding can be fun for the entire family.
Children especially love to see it as digging for buried treasure.
Crystal Park is a beautiful place to spend a day.
The fact that the property is packed with crystals is really just a bonus.
Crystal Park is officially open for outdoor fun. And since it's located on the Pioneer Scenic Byway, the drive to get there is incredible. Have you ever tried your luck at this park?
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