I've heard that in parts of Montana and Wyoming the govt actually gives land away. Is this true?

Question

From my understanding you have to agree to mine the land for X number of years etc. however it seems like it could be worth the investment. If anyone has info on this please share.

Thanks,
Scott

Answer 1

all lands are closed to homesteading. you can make a mining claim on federal lands but that does not include homesteading rights. You are subject to zoning which prohibits habitation in most desolate locations (impossible to provide essential services) and in split estate, the surface is owned privately which would require a lease hold to live there.

many years ago a mining claim did not have to be produced continuously to hold the claim, but could be purchased and become private property by a process called patent. the government no longer will grant a patent for mining claims. so once you fail to mine or improve the prospect by a certain dollar amount each and every year, your claim is revoked. also the government is very particular about claims these days and can refuse to grant them if they think the property you claim is in fact barren of economic mineral.