Is Montana Hiding a Million-Dollar Treasure? Clues Point to Big Sky Country

Treasure hunters look to Big Hole, Wisdom, Beaverhead County, and beyond following the release ‘Greed and Gold’ on Netflix.

**Disclaimer: We don’t have any inside information, and we don’t know where the treasure is. It might not even be in Montana. But if you’re chasing clues across the American West, there’s no better place to explore than our beautiful corner of it.

Breaking News Surrounding the Treasure Hunt | June 2025

Justin Posey, has announced a book signing for ‘Beyond the Map’s Edge’ at The Bookstore in Dillon, Montana. This event will take place on June 21st, 2025! The book signing begins at noon. Dig into the event:

The Hunt Begins: A Modern-Day Mystery Rooted in the American West

Treasure hunting isn’t just a thing of legends – or locked in history books. In 2025, it’s very real, and it’s hidden somewhere deep in the heart of the American West. That’s the promise at the core of Justin Posey’s memoir, Beyond the Map’s Edge. A high-stakes, real-world treasure hunt launched by software engineer and treasure hunter – Justin Posey. With a prize estimated at over a million dollars and a multi-platform trail of clues, adventurers are eyeing one place in particular: Montana.

And who can blame them?

With our vast wilderness, rugged terrain, and rich mining history, Montana has always been a land of possibility. From the Gold Rush to the age of Copper Kings, this is a state shaped by those who dared to dream big. As a child, Justin Posey himself spent time in Montana, which only adds fuel to the speculation that his treasure may be hidden here. And if there’s one thing, we’ve learned from past treasure hunts, it’s that understanding the person behind the puzzle can be incredibly helpful in decoding the clues. Posey’s treasure may be hidden anywhere in the American West – but theories are swirling, and many believe Montana might just be the spot.

The Inspiration: Forrest Fenn and a Decade Hunt for Hidden Treasure

Before we dive into Posey’s story, it’s worth mentioning the legendary inspiration behind it all –Forrest Fenn. In 2010, Fenn – an art dealer and Vietnam Air Force veteran – ignited a modern legend by announcing that he hid a treasure chest worth an estimated $2 million. Inside, it was filled with gold coins, rare artifacts, jewelry, and precious gems. And the kicker? Fenn claimed it was buried somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

That’s right—not in a town, a park, or even a single state, but anywhere across the entire 3,000-mile stretch of rugged wilderness spanning from New Mexico to Montana.

Fenn offered just one major clue, a cryptic 24-line poem published in his memoir, The Thrill of the Chase, said to contain nine hints pointing to the treasure’s location. With no coordinates, no map, and no guarantees, the hunt challenged tens of thousands of people to decode his words and brave the elements in pursuit of his treasure.

Over the next decade, the search became a cultural phenomenon. Hunters hiked into dangerous terrain, pored over topographic maps, and formed vast online communities dedicated to unraveling the mystery.

The Forrest Fenn mystery finally ended in June 2020, when Jack Stuef, a medical student from Michigan, discovered the treasure in Wyoming. Stuef initially chose to remain anonymous but later revealed his identity in a detailed account of his journey. You can read more about his experience in this Outside Magazine article.

Fenn’s hunt wasn’t just about finding riches, it was about rediscovering wonder. And it laid the foundation for a new generation of adventurers, Justin Posey among them.

Who is Justin Posey?

Inspired by Fenn’s legacy, Justin Posey created his own high-stakes treasure hunt—one that blends code, storytelling, and the thrill of discovery. The spirit of Fenn’s mystery lives on with clues in Posey’s memoir, Beyond the Map’s Edge. Where Posey invites a new generation of adventurers to decode a fresh trail of clues and explore the vast, untamed wilderness of the American West.

As a software engineer by trade and long-time admirer of the Forrest Fenn treasure hunt, Justin Posey is no stranger to the thrill of the chase. Posey launched Beyond the Map’s Edge as both a tribute to the mystery and a deeply personal homage to his family – including those who have passed away: his father, grandfather, brother Brandon, and beloved dog Tucker.

Posey’s hunt isn’t just about riches, it’s about legacy. And with his background in code, puzzles, and storytelling, he’s created a challenge designed to captivate a new generation of explorers.

Posey has also appeared in the Netflix docuseries Greed & Gold, which chronicles real-life treasure hunts and fortune-seekers across the country. For eagle-eyed viewers, Posey has hinted that additional clues are hidden in the background of his interviews.

What is Beyond the Map’s Edge?

Launched on March 27, 2025, Beyond the Map’s Edge is a fully independent treasure hunt with a prize estimated to exceed one million dollars. The chest, buried somewhere in the American West, is said to include gold bars and coins, rare gemstones, historical artifacts, a meteorite fragment, and a Bitcoin wallet.

This is no armchair puzzle. Posey designed the hunt to be “boots-on-the-ground,” meaning solvers will eventually need to travel, explore, and follow the clues in person.

The key to unlocking the treasure’s location lies in a five-stanza poem, supported by subtle hints found in Posey’s book and possibly even in the Netflix documentary, Greed & Gold. He has confirmed that the poem contains at least ten clues, and that they must be solved in consecutive order.

He has also clarified where the treasure is not located: it’s not underwater, on private property, in caves, mines, or tunnels, at places that require rappelling, associated with any man-made buildings, near graves or grave markers, or in any dangerous locations.

Here is the poem in full:

Beyond the Map’s Edge

Can you find what lives in time,
Flowing through each measured rhyme?
Wisdom waits in shadowed sight—
For those who read these words just right.

As hope surges, clear and bright,
Walk near waters’ silent flight.
Round the bend, past the Hole,
I wait for you to cast your pole.

In ursa east his realm awaits;
His bride stands guard at ancient gates.
Her foot of three at twenty degree,
Return her face to find the place.

Double arcs on granite bold,
Where secrets of the past still hold.
Beyond the reach of time’s swift race,
Wonder guards this sacred space.

Truth rests not in clever minds,
Not in tangled, twisted finds.
Like a river’s steady flow—
What you seek, you already know.

Is the Treasure Hidden in Montana?

Posey has said only that the treasure is located somewhere in “the American West.” That’s a big map, but the community of treasure hunters is already narrowing their focus. A number of clues and theories have drawn attention to Montana, specifically to areas like:

• Big Hole River Valley
• Wisdom, Montana
• Beaverhead County

Why Montana? Beyond the poetic name of the hunt itself, Montana checks all the boxes: remote access, sweeping views, deep historical resonance, and a past rich in legends, boomtowns, and outlaws. It was also a key area for Fenn treasure hunters—and remains a favorite setting for seekers chasing something just beyond the horizon.

Still, no location has been confirmed. The poem and clues remain open to interpretation.

Recreate Responsibly in Montana

Whether the treasure lies in Montana or not, many hunters are heading here to search, and that means taking responsibility for how we treat the land.

Montana’s wild spaces are breathtaking, untamed, and often a patchwork of public and private land. If you’re heading into the mountains or valleys, remember:

• Know Before You Go: Check fire danger, weather, trail access, and land ownership boundaries.
• Fire Safety: Wildfires can ignite quickly, especially in dry seasons. Only build campfires in designated rings, abide by all fire restrictions, and never leave a campfire unattended. When you’re finished, drown the fire with water, stir the coals, and feel for heat. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
• Pack In, Pack Out: Leave nothing behind. Don’t bury anything, damage sites, or leave markers.
• Leave No Trace: Do not collect rocks, artifacts, or historical objects. Preserving Montana’s heritage is part of the adventure.
• Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance. Never feed, follow, or approach animals.
• Stay on Trails: Avoid damaging vegetation, waterways, and fragile ecosystems by sticking to established paths.
• Respect Private Property: The treasure isn’t hidden on private land, according to Posey. Stick to public areas and always be courteous to landowners.
• Cell Service is Limited: Bring a physical map, compass, and satellite communicator if possible.
• Be Prepared and Self-Sufficient: Bring plenty of water, food, layers and emergency supplies for unpredictable mountain weather.

We also encourage visitors to slow down and spend time in the communities along the way. Grab a coffee, explore a museum, learn some local history. Montana is more than scenery, it’s stories. Supporting small businesses keeps this region vibrant for everyone.

Treasure hunting should be an adventure worth remembering. For more tips on how to stay safe and respectful on the trail, be sure to check out the official treasure hunt’s Safety Page.

“Take your time. Make memories. I hid this treasure to inspire people to step away from screens and into adventure. The real treasure might not be what you find, but what you discover along the way.” -Justin Posey, from the official FAQ.

How to Join the Hunt

Want to dive in? Here’s how to get started:

• Read the poem (above!)
• Pick up Justin Posey’s book – Official Site
• Watch Greed & Gold on Netflix Don’t forget, Posey may have hidden clues in the set design of his interviews.
• Follow the official site and forums for community updates and discussions.

The Thrill of the Hunt: A Legacy of Treasure in the West

Montana has long been a land of treasure – first gold, then copper, and always the kind of riches that come from chasing the unknown. From the feverish dreams of 1860s gold miners to the homesteaders and cattle barons, the state has long been a destination for those chasing opportunity.

Beyond the Map’s Edge continues that legacy. And whether the treasure is buried under Montana’s big sky or somewhere just beyond it, the real story might be in the search itself.

Ready to plan your own Montana adventure? Check out our Southwest Montana Visitor Guide and start exploring the region’s history, culture, and wide-open possibilities!