Willows line the river and stream banks, turning yellow and gold before the trees in mid to late August. The river tumble can be heard almost everywhere along this road. Wild raspberries and strawberries are scattered throughout and wildflowers are everywhere.

Gold prices are at an all time high of over $3000/ounce.

Madison County, including the area around the Madison River, has a significant history of gold production, particularly from placer deposits.

Southwest Madison County, Montana has a history rich with gold prospecting and mining, and it continues to be a popular area for recreational prospecting and exploration. In Montana, the principal placer-mining districts are in this southwestern part of the State.

Gold was discovered in Montana in 1852 in this area of southwest Montana resulting in considerable production. Over 17.8 million ounces have been discovered in this state. Based on geology, it is predictable that several large undeveloped and undiscovered gold deposits can still be found. This southwest area of Montana has produced more than 319.6 million dollars in gold.

See further down the listing the Buying Process, my owner financing offered, and how to purchase my claim.

See with the pictures maps and satellite views.

Click on the top listing picture then arrow right to see all.

The claim is located in the expansive Madison River Valley.

Known for its exceptional trout water, mountain views, and charming old-west towns, Madison River Valley offers a range of activities and serves as a scenic thoroughfare via Ennis between Bozeman and West Yellowstone.

Montana is called the Treasure State for good reason, with a history of prospecting gold and gems in this area. Also known as Big Sky Country, the wide open spaces and clear air makes for expansive views of one of most beautiful areas of the country.

Named by Lewis & Clark after Thomas Jefferson's Secretary of State, the Madison River is one of Montana's most iconic and beloved Trout streams.

The Madison River is one of Montanas most iconic rivers, renowned for its picturesque and wild setting, world-class trout fishery, and diverse recreational opportunities.

Flowing through a lush ranching valley girded by snowcapped peaks, the "Fifty Mile Riffle" of the Madison River deserves its reputation as the best trout stream in Montana. Ironically, rapids, and not fishing holes, bookend the Madison in Southwest Montana. In the south, the river roars and tumbles for three miles once it shoots out of Quake Lake, offering a fun ride for experienced floaters and a good challenge for wade fisherman.

The Madison River Valley in southwest Montana is a picturesque example of Montana's "Big Sky" living, offering blue-ribbon trout fishing, pristine mountain ranges, old-west towns, and plenty of outdoor recreation.

The TV show, American Gold: The Legend of Bear Gulch, on the Fox Business Channel, takes place in Montana.

The TV series, Yellowstone with Kevin Costner, and the movie, The River Runs Thru it, with Brad Pitt, were all filmed on location in Montana

We feel we are selling more than the gold and minerals on beautiful land.

You would be acquiring an experience that will give you a good feel for what the old time prospectors must have felt during the days of the original Montana Gold Rush.

A mining claim is an affordable way to enjoy the beauty of the land combined with the adventure of panning for gold.

National Forests remained open at all times during the virus with a televised invitation by the Director for families to visit them as safe places for family recreation, making our mining claims some of the safest places for your family to enjoy and get away from all the nonsense.

CLIFF AND WADE LAKES

Wade Lake is part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and is near the Madison River and Yellowstone National Park, and is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and Swimming. Cliff Lake offers some exceptional canoeing, especially in the remote coves; canoes and lodging available at Wade Lake Resort. Hikers can learn something of the flora, fauna, and geology of the area on a 0.7 mile interpretive trail connecting the Wade Lake and Hilltop campgrounds.

Cliff and Wade Lakes sit on a geologic fault that formed a chasm that filled with water; cliffs surround much of the lakes' shorelines. Cliff Lake is the larger and somewhat more isolated of the two. Wade Lake is more easily accessible and receives more use.

Also nearby, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge protects the largest wetland complex in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Located at the convergence of several different habitat types, the Refuge offers landscape beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities that few places can match.

TOWN OF WEST YELLOWSTONE: There is so much to do here, both inside and outside the National Park. The town is literally land locked as it is surrounded on all sides by either Forest Service or National Park land. Those who live here year-round appreciate the small town and both the summer and winter seasons. The town also boasts world class cross country skiing on the Rendezvous Trails at the edge of town. In November each year is the West Yellowstone Ski Festival as well as other ski races throughout the winter season.

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is open year around with live grizzly bears and wolf packs available for your viewing pleasure. The I-Max theatre is also open during the winter showing feature films as well as documentary films on Yellowstone.

MADISON COUNTY: Down in Southwest Montana, sharing a tiny portion of its southern border with Idaho is Madison County. This mountainous part of Montana is wedged between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, and its residents maintain their local traditions that are inspired by the natural landscape, like fishing, ranching, and all things outdoors. The county seat is Virginia City, an interesting place split between the historic and the contemporary. Half of the town contains a vibrant, current-day population, while the other half is an abandoned mining town, preserved as a slice of history and a window into the lives of settlers from the mid-1800s. While Virginia City is probably the countys largest touristic draw, the nearby town of Ennis is a delightful stop for passers-through, and is host to many annual events. Though it doesnt immediately border Yellowstone National Park, Madison County, and more specifically Ennis, can make a great base from which to explore the park.

SOUTHWEST MONTANA ROCKHOUNDING

Rockhounding is more than just a hobby; it is a lifestyle.

There's a reason Montana is known as the Treasure State and that Southwest Montana where our claims are located is especially rich for gold and precious gems.

Even today, you can tap into the euphoria of making a find in Montana.

A century and a half ago, these hills crawled with prospectors lured by rich gold strikes.

Aquamarine, sapphires, garnets, amethyst, smoky quartz, clear quartz scepters, jaspers, topaz, and even diamnonds are also to be found in this part of Montana.

Because of such an availability of gems to be found, there are many Mineral and Gem Clubs throughout the state.

The geology of Montana had a history of volcanic activity which is largely responsible for the wide variety of interesting rocks and minerals to be found here.

MADISON COUNTY

Madison County has some of the worlds best fly-fishing and endless other outdoor activities.

Close enough to Yellowstone National Park to visit, but far enough to be away from the crowds, this county has something for everybody during all seasons

throughout the year.

Amazing mountain views, spectacular trout fishing, and Cowboy Culture are just a few reasons to visit Madison Valley.

During the summer months, there are endless options for outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, biking, and kayaking.

BUYING PROCESS:

To purchase my claim, the process would be, I would need your name(s) and street mailing address, and which payment option you choose, where I would scan and email you a signed contract.

Total price of $3500, that can be paid in one full payment where your ownership is then transferred after receiving payment,

or $3500, paying $1750 first month, and $1750 2nd month,

or $3500, paying $1500 first month, $1000 2nd month, and $1000 3rd month,

or $3500, paying $700 per month for 5 months,

or $3500, paying $500 per month for 7 months.

A $199 deed processing fee is paid with final monthly payment.

After receiving your final payment, your ownership of the 20 acre claim will be legally recorded with the Montana Bureau of Land Management and the Madison County Recorder.

I am a retired teacher, and got into prospecting as a hobby with my family.

I am 74 and my wife 72, and we have gained the experience to select the best areas to locate claims.

BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST: Our claims are located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.

The largest of the national forests in Montana, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, covers 3.35 million acres and lies in eight Southwest Montana counties.

The forest provides timber, minerals, and grazing lands. It also offers breath-taking scenery for a wide variety of recreational pursuits.

Whether it's wilderness trekking in the Anaconda-Pintler or Lee Metcalf wildernesses, driving the Gravelly Range Road or Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, or camping in one of the 50 small to medium-sized campgrounds in the forest, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge has it all.

BOZEMAN

Bozeman is called the most livable place for good reason.

Enjoy world-renowned fly fishing, dramatic mountains for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, hunting, and backcountry exploring, Yellowstone National Park, and impressive wildlife.

When you are ready for a more city experience, dive into Bozemans thriving arts and culture communities, ranging from main street festivals, farmers markets, cultural centers and museums to symphonies, theaters, and art galleries.

If within one year you are not satisfied with your claim, you can trade for another comparable claim, just paying the BLM and County transfer fees which will be about $125.

Claim buyer will also receive a new, free, Gold Panning Kit:

One 14 inch Gold Trap pan; One 10.5 inch Gravity Trap pan, One combination sifter/classifier with 7/16 of an inch exit holes, One Gold Guzzler snuffer bottle, One Tweezers/ Magnifying Glass combo tool.

Mining Claims as an investment: if you purchase a claim from us, at no charge, I would help you if you ever decided to sell in the future.

Mining Claims are a great investment, as claims go up in value over time, just as land does.

Gold and gems discovered in our own prospecting along with the beauty of the area, makes for awesome camping and prospecting.

Owning a mining claim is having access to a lifetime of great family fun and recreation, in a very beautiful, natural setting.

This is a 20 acre unpatented, gold mining placer claim, the West Fork Gold #1 with the West Fork Madison River running all the way thru the claim.

The claim is legally registered with the Montana Bureau of Land Management and the Madison County Recorder.

You own the mineral rights, not sharing with others, on the 20 acres, and use your 20 acres recreationally for camping and prospecting in an awesome, beautiful area.

For any building like a shed, you need to file a Plan of Operation with the BLM for approval. For anything to live in, you would need to file a Plan of Operation with the BLM for approval, and to be considered, you would need to have developed a full-time mining operation.

For the possibility of constructing any building you for others could live in, you need to file a Plan of Operation with the BLM for approval, showing you have developed a full-time operation performing diligent mining.

You do not need a plan, permission nor a permit to camp and prospect.

You do not need to be a full time prospector to file a Plan for a shed type structure.

With an approved BLM Plan of Operation, a building can be built on the land: any building that benefits and improves the claim.

As stated by the BLM, this can be the "construction of a building, road, fence, or enclosure necessary for mining."

Current usage, is what the BLM calls, Casual Use: panning, shovel, rock hammer, metal detector, creek powered sluice box, where no permission nor permit is needed to camp and prospect.

On our visits to the claim, we gathered in and around the river, approx. 1/8 of an ounce of gold, being worth about $225. As the BLM does not specify the amount of gold to be found to locate a claim other than gold needs to be discovered, we use this amount for a 20 acre claim as a projection of good gold potential. Someone with more time may find more.

Gold prices are over $3000/ounce. Though we could never guarantee what you will find, we did locate this claim in an historically rich area for gold prospecting.

Gold in just this past year has gone up over $500 per ounce.

We also found some nice specimens of aquamarine and crystals on the claim.

You are allowed to post No Trespassing for Prospecting signs in and around the claim.

A mining claim owner may limit or restrict public recreational use of/or public access across claims or portions of claims that are actively used for prospecting, mining, or processing operations where public recreational use of a claim would endanger or materially interfere with legitimate mining pursuits.

Camp on your claim by the river or area national forest campgrounds.

A claim owner does not need permission nor a permit to camp and prospect.

You can prospect as little or as much as you like.

Now that we have located the claim, you never have to declare to the BLM any gold or gems you find.

_______________________________

20 acres = parcel size of 660 ft. x 1320 ft.

_______________________________

This claim in this wonderful area has direct legal road access on a National Forest Road, with areas for camping, and gold and gems discovered in surface prospecting.

_______________________________

A transfer of ownership is a sale of legal, exclusive ownership of a mining claim site.

To be a legally recorded claim, a valuable mineral had to be found on the claim, which was completed by us, as we are the original claim locators.

_____________________________

Your ownership is legally conveyed via a Quit Claim deed, and legally recorded with the Montana BLM and the Madison County Recorder. A Quit Claim deed is the required legal document per the BLM.

Each year, on or before September 1st, you need to file a simple form with the Bureau of Land Management, along with $200. You can also pay online with the BLM by credit card.

By doing this, you keep the claim forever.

I have paid the fee for the new claim year, not due again until September 1st, 2025.

You must be a current US citizen with a US address to own a mining claim in the US.

____________________________

An unpatented mining claim is a specific parcel of federal land, valuable for a specific mineral deposit or deposits. It is a parcel for which an individual has asserted a legal right of possession and the right to develop and extract a discovered, valuable, mineral deposit.

Mining claims are real property that you can buy, sell, or inherit.

After proving the existence of valuable minerals on the land, the claim is legally recorded with the Bureau of Land Management and Madison County.

______________________________

The West Fork Gold #1 is an unpatented, gold placer mining claim, ideally situated on the West Fork Madison River surrounded by beautiful Rocky Mountain ranges.

______________________________

Your 20 acres is the West 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 18, T12S, R1E, Montana Meridian, known as the West Fork Gold #1 mining claim.

BLM claim number: MT106728720

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

45 miles northwest of the town of West Yellowstone.

Take US 20 West of West Yellowstone,

To North on Route 87,

To West on Route 287,

To South over Lyons Bridge over the Madison River, on W Fork Madison Road/National Forest Road 209, the claim road.

Then using GPS coordinates below to the claim.

GPS Coordinates:

West Fork Gold #1

NW 44.7848, -111.6486

NE 44.7848, -111.6462

SW 44.7810, -111.6486

SE 44.7810, -111.6462

______________________

The claim location monument has a 4 foot wooden post near the river, with copy of Location Notice attached, as required by the State of Montana.

_________________________

The river on the claim is a unique advantage for gold prospecting.

Gold always occurs in gravels in the metallic state and when so found has various physical characteristics. Gold is dense and heavy, it has a characteristic metallic color, and it is soft and easily malleable (it is easily formed by hammering). These are the characteristics used by prospectors to identify gold in the field.

Placer gold occurs on the claim as small grains derived from gossan formed by weathering, and oxidation of the gold, copper and iron rich veins. Gold also occurs as grains flakes and small nuggets derived from the erosion of mineralized fault zones on, and upstream from the claim.

____________________________

Additional Features:

Year round West Fork Madison River on the claim for panning.

Fishing in the river and area lakes.

Beautiful Rock specimens for you Rock Hounds

Located in one of the most beautiful mountain areas in the US.

____________________________

The Federal Government owns the land.

You are purchasing the mineral rights.

You own the mineral rights, including gold and gems on the claim, as real property, being the same legal ownership as for land and homes.

Prospect, explore, on the whole 20 acres.

You can camp on a claim while prospecting.

_____________________________

BUYING PROCESS:

To purchase my claim, the process would be, I would need your name(s) and street mailing address, and which payment option you choose, where I would scan and email you a signed contract.

Total price of $3500, that can be paid in one full payment where your ownership is then transferred after receiving payment,

or $3500, paying $1750 first month, and $1750 2nd month,

or $3500, paying $1500 first month, $1000 2nd month, and $1000 3rd month,

or $3500, paying $700 per month for 5 months,

or $3500, paying $500 per month for 7 months.

A $199 deed processing fee is paid with final monthly payment.

After receiving your final payment, your ownership of the 20 acre claim will be legally recorded with the Montana Bureau of Land Management and the Madison County Recorder. The quit claim deed is the correct document to be recorded for a mining claim, as stated by the BLM.

This is not a sharing with others of your 20 acre claim.

We live in Ohio. Our connection to the West is our daughter lives in Denver, though she is not involved with our claims. We visited her in September, then went to prospect and locate mining claims in other states, including Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, as we have been doing for a number of years.

And just a note of encouragement for you if purchase:

My wife and I have located, prospected on, and sold mining claims in

California, Colorado, Arizona, and now also Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, for over 25 years.

You can trust we will process your notarized deeds correctly and quickly.

In that mining claims are processed thru the Bureau of Land Management, a Federal Govt. agency, not following thru per our legally signed contract, would be a federal crime. I certainly will do what I say, and would never put myself nor my wife in any legal jeopardy.

Also, we have sold properties on 3 sites online for over 25 years:

Landwatch, Landcom, and LandandFarm.

Our continued good status on these sites is due to our always following thru, as just one time we would not, we would not be allowed to sell on these sites ever again.

COMMENTS FROM SATISFIED CLAIM BUYERS:

"Living in Colorado, the purchase of our mining claim from you has been great for family fun and recreation. We have camped overnight a number of times, and panned for gold in the creek. We were even able to find gold flakes on several of our attempts. Thank you so much!."

I'm looking forward to having some time on the mining claim.

We used to go camping 4-6 weeks out of the year.

Even though I realize this is a retirement business for you. I wanted to say thank you for giving so many people over the years the opportunity to purchase your claims. I've seen them available for a long time, but never had the opportunity to purchase anything. They have probably brought many smiles to so many people. It will be the same for us.

"We purchased 2 mining claims from Michael Leu over the last 2 years, one in Montana, and one In Colorado. We have been to our claims on several occasions, and we could not be happier! They are exactly as described, and our camping on our claims and prospecting in the creek on each claim is the highlight of our vacations. You can trust Mr. Leu. If you are looking for a great time in the awesome beauty of the west, buying a mining claim from Mr. Leu will be a blessing."