Gold prospecting across the world has had a surge of interest in recent times, particularly in the USA. Add in the higher costs of living that most are experiencing. It makes sense that people are going to look for ways to make more money.
The USA has had a storied history with gold and was home to one of the worlds biggest gold rushes in California in the 1840’s to 1850’s (also the big reason for the California’s population explosion of the time). It’s not just California that has a history of gold finds, Colorado and Nevada have helped many people build a fortune from gold.
Below are 7 U.S States where you can find gold.
Gold Prospecting in California
As mentioned above California is home to one of the biggest gold rushes ever seen in history. Many a fortune was made in the California gold rush of the mid 1800’s and whilst the level of which gold is currently found prospecting has dropped since the gold rush heyday there are still plenty of opportunities to find alluvial gold .
For those living in California or looking to visit shortly there are plenty of suitable gold prospecting locations both in the north or south of the state.
California Gold Prospecting Locations for a Metal Detector
For those who are looking to get out amongst the land with your metal detector then some of the most promising California gold prospecting locations for a metal detector include:
Randsburg
Julian (San Diego)
California Gold Prospecting Locations for Gold Panning
For those who prefer gold panning or don’t have access to a metal detector, some of the most promising California gold prospecting locations for gold panning include:
Coloma – River for gold panning. Coloma is situated
Kern River
Auburn – River
Butte
Merced River
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
South Yuba
Trinity River
San Gabriel River
Remember to be aware of the local California laws when prospecting for gold such as not being allowed to use a metal detector in any state park (unless prior permission is obtained i.e permit) and not interfering with native artifacts. Also a permit from the California Bureau of Land Management is needed when prospecting on state land.
Gold Prospecting in Nevada
Nevada is another U.S state that has a significant history involving gold. Before Las Vegas became the number one place in Nevada to strike it rich, plenty of people made the trek to Las Vegas to make their fortune.
Whilst the success of individual prospectors in Nevada has waned in recent years, there is still a large-scale gold mining presence in Nevada, with the state being the biggest gold producer in the U.S. Gold mining giants such as Barrick and Newmont have a large footprint in Nevada, generating solid gold production.
There are still plenty of people finding some gold, silver or other treasure in Nevada and depending on your choice of panning or metal detecting we have listed some Nevada locations to try your luck with your next prospecting adventure.
Nevada Gold Prospecting Locations for a Metal Detector
For those looking to explore the land your metal detector some Nevada gold prospecting locations for a metal detector include:
Pershing County
Elko County
Humboldt County
Clark County
Eureka County
Other locations such as Garnet Hill surroundings, Hamilton and Delamar (Lincoln County) have been known as places where gold has been found with metal detectors.
Nevada Gold Prospecting Locations for Gold Panning
Nevada has plenty of locations to go gold panning and prospectors regularly find something in their pans in their Nevada travels. Some of the most promising Nevada gold prospecting locations for gold panning include:
Silver City
Ponderosa Mine
Washoe County
Aura District
Eldorado Canyon
Willow Creek
Dun Glen
Providing your gold prospecting location is on federal land you won’t need a permit to go metal detecting or gold panning. Do your research to make sure you are on federal land and not private property when going on your expedition.
Gold Prospecting in New Mexico
Whilst not as prominent as other states mentioned on this list, New Mexico has had a steady stream of gold finds in its history. Whilst no large finds have been found in a while, New
Mexico does provide many places to find gold using a metal detector or through gold panning.
Anyone living in New Mexico or for those looking to visit and go gold prospecting, below is a list of metal detector and gold panning locations in New Mexico. Compared to most of the other states on this list, New Mexico has a larger percentage of land being privately owned (particularly some of the older historical gold locations) so bear that in mind if looking to travel to New Mexico to search for gold.
New Mexico Gold Prospecting Locations for a Metal Detector
As mentioned above New Mexico didn’t have the richest gold history however there are plenty of people finding gold throughout New Mexico. If you have a metal detector and want to go out gold prospecting in New Mexico, some locations to use your metal detector include:
Hillsboro
Pinos Altos
White Oaks
San Pedro Mountains
Ortiz Mountains
New Mexico Gold Prospecting Locations for Gold Panning
Whilst some of the other states on this list are likely to provide richer sources of gold to visit for gold panning, a couple of the waterways where gold has been found gold panning include:
Rio Grande – near Taos Mountains and around Red River
Cimarron River – near Folsom and surroundings
Mora River
As with Nevada above, anyone looking to go gold prospecting on a hobby basis doesn’t need a permit (for gold panning or using a metal detector).
Gold Prospecting in Colorado
Colorado is another state in the USA with an important relationship with gold. Gold rushes brought huge population influxes to Colorado during the 1850’s and gold fever has been part of Colorado’s identity ever since. Even their NBA team, the Denver Nuggets is named after gold and one of their old mascots (Maxie the Miner) is based on a gold miner!
As mentioned above Colorado has had a detailed history with gold finds and ist still home to large scale mining operations with companies such as Newmont having a large gold mining presence in Colorado.
For the hobbyist or serious collector, there are ample opportunities to go gold prospecting in Colorado and find a nice find.
Colorado Gold Prospecting Locations for a Metal Detector
As there are plenty of historical gold locations you are spoiled in you have a metal detector in Colorado. Some locations where gold is regularly found in Colorado gold prospecting with a metal detector include:
Anywhere in the Western Mountains
Grand Junction
Rattlesnake Gulch
Teller County
There are also some ghost towns where gold was prominent including
Teller City
Vicksburg
Goldfield
Colorado Gold Prospecting Locations for Gold Panning
For those who prefer gold panning or don’t have access to a metal detector, some of the most promising Colorado gold prospecting locations for gold panning include:
Rattlesnake Gulch
Hidee Gold Mine
Argo Gold Mine
Cache Creek
Arapahoe Bar
Cherry Creek
Phoenix Gold Mine
Fairplay
If you are heading out to prospect in one of Colorado’s parks or forests then you don’t need to have a permit for this however some recreational spots do make you pay a small fee to look for gold in their boundaries, such as Fairplay Colorado.
Gold Prospecting in Utah
The history of gold finds in Utah isn’t as strong as California or Nevada and is more like those of New Mexico. Again that doesn’t mean that gold can’t or isn’t found in New Mexico (it is). The gold traditionally found in Utah is finer and there aren’t as many prominent locations where gold is consistently discovered.
That being said, if you live in Utah or are going to travel to Utah to get out in nature and hopefully find some gold, below are some suitable gold prospecting locations for panning or using a metal detector.
Utah Gold Prospecting Locations for a Metal Detector
For those who are looking to get out amongst the land with your metal detector then some of the most promising Utah gold prospecting locations for a metal detector include:
Oquirrh Mountains
Abajo Mountains
Henry Mountains
Utah Gold Prospecting Locations for Gold Panning
For those who prefer gold panning or don’t have access to a metal detector, some of the most promising Utah gold prospecting locations for gold panning include:
Green River (Flaming Gorge)
Colorado River
San Juan River
Raft River (Box Elder County)
There is plenty of government owned land in Utah and If you are heading out to prospect in one of Utah’s parks then you don’t need to have a permit for this.
Gold Prospecting in Arizona
Arizona is another US state with a rich history with gold. It is also one of the best states for gold prospecting for amateur or hobbyist prospectors. Most states have small concentrated areas where gold is found, Arizona has plenty of deposits in all areas of the state.
Whilst there are some larger scale mining operations in Arizona, it’s really set up for the smaller enthusiasts and amateur gold prospectors looking to strike it rich. For those living in Arizona or looking to visit shortly there are plenty of suitable gold prospecting locations.
Arizona Gold Prospecting Locations for a Metal Detector
For those who are looking to get out amongst the land with your metal detector then some of the most promising Arizona gold prospecting locations for a metal detector include:
Wickenburg
Cerbat Mountains
Bradshaw Mountains
Greaterville
Maricopa County
Greenlee County
Pima County
Arizona Gold Prospecting Locations for Gold Panning
For those who prefer gold panning or don’t have access to a metal detector, Arizona is home to several panning locations though bear in mind many of the rivers in Arizona can go dry at times.
Some of the most promising Arizona gold prospecting locations for gold panning include:
Lynx Lake
Lake Pleasant
Gila River
Apache County
Cochise County
Remember to be aware of the local Arizona laws when prospecting for gold however no permit is needed to prospect for gold in Arizona however there may be small fees to enter various parks or other permits needed if you are camping in certain parts of the state. Always check with the relevant state and local government websites for information.
Gold Prospecting in Ohio
A bit of an unusual pick here however Ohio has been the site of many successful gold prospecting expeditions.
Whilst Ohio probably has the least amount of history with gold on this list, it still has pockets of the state where gold can be found regularly. Whilst you are more likely to find a decent discovery in Arizona or California, there is no reason not to go prospecting in a previously fruitful Ohio location.
Ohio Gold Prospecting Locations for a Metal Detector
For those who are looking to get out amongst the land with your metal detector there are some places where you might find luck however in Ohio your best chance for gold is to go gold panning or at least take your metal detector (waterproof) to one of the river gold panning locations below. That being said, two of the more prominent metal detecting locations in Ohio are:
Wayne National Forest
Indian Lake State Park
Ohio Gold Prospecting Locations for Gold Panning
As mentioned above, gold panning is the more preferable gold prospecting tool of choice in Ohio with some of the most promising Ohio gold panning locations include:
Honey Creek
Leatherwood Creek
Clear Fork River
Stonelick Creek
It is considered recreational to pan or prospect for gold and as a result no permit is needed, though there may be other permits or fees due depending on where you end up prospecting.
Below are just some of the many locations across this great country to find gold! Don’t be afraid to reach out to fellow prospectors who may be able to give you a location or two to prospect for some gold though it’s understandable if they keep their secret gold locations to themselves.
Other tips to find a good gold prospecting location is to find a Facebook group in your state (or the state you are looking to go prospecting in) or to find a gold prospecting forum and see if there are any suggestions in these.
Be safe, have fun and find yourself some gold!