Five Places Where You Can Still Strike Gold in the United States — And How to Try Your Luck

Millions of Americans have tried their luck at gold panning, drawn by dreams of discovery and the thrill of the hunt. During the peak of the Gold Rush in 1852, prospectors pulled $81 million worth of gold from California alone—equivalent to roughly $3.2 billion today. Two centuries later, that same spirit lives on as modern-day treasure hunters search public lands across the American West.

"Once you see your first flake of gold pop out of the pan, it hooks you," says Andy Brooks, president of the Central Valley Prospectors gold panning club based in Fresno, California. After decades of prospecting, he still finds joy in every outing.

For many prospectors like Brooks, gold panning offers rewards far beyond striking it rich. The hobby connects enthusiasts to a vibrant past, attracting history buffs and adventurers who form tight-knit communities. "We are like family," Brooks says. "It's an interesting fraternity."

The California Gold Rush began in 1848 when a Sutter's Mill employee stumbled upon gold flecks in the water while inspecting the sawmill—a chance discovery that sparked a cross-country migration and changed America forever.

"I constantly find out new things about areas either archaeologically or historically," Brooks explains. "That's just as exciting to me as finding a piece of gold. It enriches your soul when you find out about history."

With gold currently valued at nearly $65 per gram and prices trending upward over recent decades, there's never been a better time to try your hand at prospecting. Here are five proven locations where you can begin your search.

**Nevada's Rocky Desert Terrain: Rye Patch State Recreation Area**

Nevada produces nearly 75 percent of America's annual gold yield. While commercial operations claim the richest parcels, recreational prospectors can still pan—or more commonly, metal detect—on public land. The Rye Patch State Recreation Area in Lovelock, roughly 90 miles northeast of Reno, offers promising ground.

During the 1860s and 1870s, the Rye Patch Mill extracted more than $1 million in gold and silver before closing in 1877. Like many Gold Rush settlements, the area became a ghost town as families departed for new opportunities. Today, the state park encompasses over 2,000 acres where prospectors discover everything from tiny flakes to nuggets featuring distinctive chevron patterns.

Given Nevada's arid landscape, metal detectors work best here. Many prospectors also employ dry-washing techniques—devices invented by Thomas Edison that use regulated airflow to separate lighter sediments from heavier gold deposits.

**California's American River: Auburn State Recreation Area**

The 119-mile American River east of Sacramento is hallowed ground for gold seekers—this is where the California Gold Rush was born. Over the decades, 49ers collectively discovered more than 750,000 pounds of gold along these waters.

Prospectors still find nuggets here today. At Auburn State Recreation Area, straddling Placer and El Dorado Counties, the public can pan for free using traditional gold pans (all other equipment is prohibited). Recent heavy California snowpacks have gold hunters buzzing with anticipation: as mountain snow melts, gold flakes erode from rocks and wash downstream into accessible waterways.

The recreation area features over 100 miles of hiking and horse trails winding along the river, allowing prospectors to explore multiple panning sites while enjoying spectacular scenery.

**Alaska's Remote Frontier: South Fork Koyukuk River**

Alaska has beckoned prospectors since 1896, when gold discovered in the Canadian Yukon ignited the Klondike Gold Rush and drew over 100,000 fortune seekers northward.

The 414-mile Dalton Highway stretches from Livengood (80 miles north of Fairbanks) to Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean. While professional operations have claimed much of the adjacent land, the Bureau of Land Management designates certain public areas as "high yield" for recreational panning. The South Fork Koyukuk River at mile 156.3 ranks among the best—transportation challenges drove many commercial miners away, leaving prime territory for amateur gold hunters. For inspiration, check out Discovery Channel's "Gold Rush," which has followed Alaskan miners since 2010.

**Colorado's Historic Cache Creek**

The Cache Creek mine in Twin Lakes operated successfully for over 50 years before an environmental lawsuit shuttered it in 1911—with gold reserves far from exhausted. In 2000, the BLM acquired more than 2,000 acres to add to its 70,000-acre holdings around Cache Creek, preserving open space and protecting native elk habitat while opening the area to recreational panning.

Visitors now pay a small entrance fee and must follow environmental protection rules, including using only non-motorized prospecting tools. The restrictions help ensure this historic site remains accessible for generations of future prospectors.

**Arizona's Lynx Creek: Prescott National Forest**

Though Arizona is famous for copper, silver, and turquoise mining, the state ranks fifth nationally in gold production. Precious metal was first discovered here in the mid-19th century along the Gila River, spawning mining towns throughout the region. The Bradshaw Mountains south of Prescott proved especially productive.

Prescott National Forest welcomes gold prospectors year-round across its 100,000-plus acres and 950 miles of trails, with camping permitted for up to 14 days within any 30-day period. The Lynx Creek and Lynx Lake area—where gold has been found before—remains open for recreational panning. The mountainous terrain surrounding this scenic river oasis makes for a memorable prospecting experience, whether you strike gold or simply enjoy the adventure.