There's still gold in these hills
The gold rushes of the 19th century have long since ended, but there are still plenty of places you can hunt for the precious metal using a shovel, pan, metal detector and more. In fact, recreational gold mining is a pastime for many people these days, and for good reason: the largest nugget ever found in California was discovered by an amateur. Here are some key locations worldwide that you can still prospect for the yellow metal – you never know, you may get lucky and strike it rich.
Reed Gold Mine, Charlotte, North Carolina
In 1799, Conrad Reed was walking along Little Meadow Creek when he noticed a shiny, gold substance in the water. It turned out to be a 17 pound gold nugget, and was the first documented authentic gold claim in the US.
You can still pull gold out of the water to this day with panning at $2 per person. Visitors to the area can also learn about other ways of finding gold from the land.
Crow Creek, Alaska
If you are in Alaska and want to look for more than just incredible scenery and wildlife, you might want to try your hand at panning for gold in Crow Creek. The first claims of gold are said to have been made in 1897 near the mouth of the stream and panning has taken place here ever since.
Amateur gold hunters can get private excursions and a practice bag of rocks mixed with gold to make sure that they are panning correctly, before heading half a mile down stream to test their gold hunting skills. Panning costs $24 per person.
Black Hills Forest, South Dakota
In 1876 the gold rush swept across the Black Hills of South Dakota after gold deposits were found in Deadwood Creek, with people panning for gold ever since.
Much of the Black Hills are encompassed by public land and panning is available to whoever fancies wading through the waters. You will need to rent or bring your own panning equipment and the cost depends on where you want to go panning.
American River, California
Rules and regulations differ slightly from state to state, but recreational gold prospecting tends to be permitted in the USA in designated public areas and on private land as long as the landowner gives permission.
The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill on the banks of the American River in Coloma. The surrounding area is still rich in gold deposits, and recreational panning is permitted these days at the south fork of the river in Coloma and at two forks in the Auburn State Recreational Area.
Cosumnes River, California
The Cosumnes River that flows through California's Eldorado National Forest is also known for its deposits of the yellow stuff. A great place to prospect, several camping grounds within the forest allow for gold panning.
The most popular gold panning sites include the areas around Cache Rock and the Pi Pi Campground, which is located along the middle fork of the Cosumnes, as well as the area around Capps Crossing.
This swathe of land near near the Majuba Mountains is renowned for its chunky chevron-shaped gold nuggets, which are much sought after by collectors. The gold deposits are situated in soils to the west of the reservoir, so you'll have to dry pan or search with a metal detector here.
Jamestown, California
There are many places to mine for gold in California, as it is rich with gold mining history, and Jamestown is no exception. The gold panning tours available here make this a popular choice
Prices for prospecting here vary and it can be a little steep, but then again, you are going gold mining. For a family you can get equipment, instructions and a five-hour time slot for $160.
Rye Patch, Nevada
In Nevada, as long as you discover gold on federal land – and it hasn't been claimed by someone else – you can stake a mining claim and keep or sell your booty. Similar rules apply in other US states, including California, Colorado and Alaska.
Clear Creek, Colorado
A gold-hunter's paradise, this river in Colorado is hands-down the best place in the state for recreational prospecting. Panning and sluicing for gold is permitted on the river bed at Arapahoe Bar in west Denver, and digging is allowed on the north side of the river there.
There's also a large stretch of river about 10 miles upstream from Arapahoe Bar at Clear Creek Canyon where gold panning, sluicing and even suction dredging are permitted. You may even have better luck here given the location is up-river. Guided tours cost $100 for adults and $50 for children.
Dahlonega, Georgia
North Georgia saw an American gold rush in 1928. People have long since been hunting there and the Consolidated Gold Mine is the place to go.
Costs range between $6 and $11 per pan for you to have a go at finding your own fortune here, which seems like a decent price for finding gold. Instructions are also provided for beginners.
Chena River, Alaska
The discovery of gold near the Chena River in Fairbanks set off the Fairbanks Gold Rush of the early 1900s and the yellow metal is still found in relatively impressive quantities in Alaska's ice-cold watercourses.
Several tourist companies that are based in Fairbanks offer gold panning courses on the river. Recreational panning is also allowed at the narrower Pedro Creek to the north of the Alaskan city.
Klondike River, Yukon, Canada
The Klondike Gold Rush kicked off in 1896 when gold was found in Bonanza Creek (then called Rabbit Creek), a tributary of the Klondike River, attracting hundreds of thousands of prospectors to this remote part of Canada.
Gold panning and sluicing are permitted on the Klondike River and other watercourses in Canada with some exceptions. If the land is federal-owned or belongs to First Nation people, you'll have to obtain permission before you prospect.
Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada
This river in British Columbia is noted for its reserves of gold and attracts many a recreational prospector. Tranquille Creek in Thompson county is one of the best spots to pan for gold on the river.
Fraser River is awash with gold left behind by prospectors over decades, and there's a good chance you'll find small nuggets here rather than tiny specks or grains of gold among the rich alluvial deposits, as it is one of the largest gold producing mines in Canada .
Other gold mining areas around the globe
- Dolgellau, Gwynedd, Wales
- Elvo River, Piedmont, Italy
- Arrow River, Otago, New Zealand
- Suisgill Estate, Sutherland, Scotland
- Warrego, Northern Territory, Australia
- Gold Mines River, County Wicklow, Ireland
- Wanlockhead, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
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