Beginning in the north at Silver Star, the Greater Ruby Valley lies along both the Lewis & Clark Trail, which continues southwest towards Dillon, and the old stagecoach route to Nevada & Virginia City. Silver Star, located sixteen miles south of Whitehall, MT on Highway 41, was established in the 1860’s to serve the nearby gold and silver mines. A state fishing access just outside town offers anglers and other recreationists easy access to the Jefferson River.

Ten miles further south, Twin Bridges is situated near the confluence of the Ruby, Big Hole & Beaverhead Rivers. Another nine-mile leg up the Ruby Valley leads you to Sheridan with the majestic Tobacco Root Mountains towering skyward on the left. Highway 287 continues on up the valley to the charming, rural community of Laurin (pronounced La-ray), a stagecoach stop and trading post during the 1860’s with its close proximity to the Ruby River.

Just two miles south of Laurin and seven north of historic Nevada City, Alder attracts visitors to the gem mine in search of garnets and other stones, or travelers can continue on to the nearby Ruby Reservoir.