Summary

  • Gold can be found in various locations across the US, such as California, Nevada, North Carolina, and more, making it accessible for prospectors.
  • South Africa's Mponeng Gold Mine is the world's deepest gold mine, making it an ideal place to find gold in South Africa.
  • Other countries like Japan, Canada, and New Zealand also have gold-rich areas that attract both tourists and prospectors.

Gold is an excellent investment, but it can be hard to find. Luckily, there are some places in the US where gold can be found. Some of these are in California hills, some in Nevada, and still more in North Carolina and many other states, thus they are spread out across the country.

The big question is where to find gold. Although the process may be long and tedious, there is still hope in getting this precious metal at numerous spots across the world. So these are best places to pan for gold in the US, Canada, New Zealand, and many other parts of the world.

UPDATE: 2023/08/07 17:50 EST BY REENA JAIN

Even More Of The Best Places To Find Gold

Keeping in mind the importance of gold panning in today's world and visitors' fascination with learning about the best places to find gold, this list has been expanded with two more destinations from across the world, including South Africa. Although Japan's Sado mines are not operational yet, they played a significant role in gold and silver mining history and are now famous historic tourist attractions, deserving a mention on the list.

Related: What You Need To Know About Touring America's Only Vertical Shaft Gold Mine (And Gold Mining)

16 Sado, Japan

Sado Gold Mine, Japan

OpqrCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gold mine of Sado, Japan

Sado's gold mines are one of Japan's most incredible historical attractions that appeal to not only visitors but locals alike. Popularly known as the Island of Gold, Sado Island is home to numerous gold and silver mines, including the Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine and the Nishimikawa Placer Gold Mine. Although these mines are no longer in operation, tourists can take walking tours to learn about the region's rich mining heritage. There is also a museum with artifacts representing the island's 400-year-long gold mining history.

15 Mponeng Gold Mine, South Africa

Mponeng Gold Mine, South Africa
JMKCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
World's deepest gold mine, Mponeng Gold Mine in South Africa

Mponeng, reaching a depth of 4 km (2.5 mi) below the surface, is the world's deepest gold mine. It is the best place to pan for gold in South Africa for being one of the most significant gold mines in the world. This mine is located in South Africa's Gauteng province, where the underground and surface works were started in 1987. Every day over 5400 metric tons of rock are excavated from the Mponeng mine, making it the best place to find gold. Mponeng was previously owned by AngloGold Ashanti, but Harmony Gold acquired it in September 2020.

  • Where: Gauteng, South Africa
  • Products: Gold and diamonds

14 California

Finding gold while panning
Shutterstock
Finding gold while panning

California boasts several rivers and streams that contain gold. These include the American River, the San Gabriel River, and the Yuba River, which are certainly the best places to find gold in the US. In this state, it’s possible to find gold by sifting through riverbeds and sandbars. This has made gold panning a popular activity. There are also a number of ghost towns in California that were once mining towns. Nowadays, these towns are abandoned, but they still offer a good chance of finding gold. One such example is Bodie, which is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

  • Best places for panning gold in California: South Yuba River State Park, Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Roaring Camp Mining Co., Kern River, Plumas-Eureka State Park

Related: The Lost Inca Gold: Here’s What To Know About The 750-Ton Gold And Its Location

13 Georgia

Gold Nugget from Georgia
James St. JohnCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gold Nugget from Georgia Mine, US

Georgia has a long history of gold mining. Prospectors can find gold in many areas of the state, but the most productive areas are typically in the northwestern part. Dukes Creek is a major gold mining location in Georgia. There are also many smaller mines and prospecting operations throughout the state. Georgia has a vast public land where travelers can pan for gold or metal detect for gold nuggets. Some of the best areas to look for gold are near streams and rivers, as well as in old mining districts. Visitors can find gold in the Chestatee, Etowah, and Tesnatee rivers.

  • Best places for panning for gold in Georgia: Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site, Consolidated Gold Mine, Crisson Gold Mine, Sixes River Recreation Area, Dukes Creek Gold & Ruby Mines

Related: Dos And Don’ts When Visiting The U.S. For The First Time

12 Idaho

Salmon River, Sawtooth National Recreation Area
Fredlyfish4CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Salmon River, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho, U.S.

Idaho boasts a number of recreational areas where prospectors can search for gold. One such location is Boise Basin. Historically, it is one of the most productive gold mining sites in the state. Today, there are still a number of small-scale miners operating in the Boise Basin. Another good place to look for gold in Idaho is in the Salmon River Mountains. This area is home to a number of large placer deposits. There are also several small-scale miners who operate in this area.

  • Best places for panning gold in Idaho: Boise Basin, Salmon River, Clearwater River, Yankee Fork, Thunder Mountain, Warren Mining District

11 Montana

Bannack Ghost Town, Montana
Mr Hicks46CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bannack Ghost Town, Montana, U.S.

Montana is home to several mines rich in placer gold. It also harbors the world-famous Bannack Ghost Town, which is full of abandoned gold mines. Gold panning is a popular activity in Montana, and there are several entities that offer guided tours. These tours typically last a few hours, and participants can keep any gold they find. Montana is a great place for both beginner and experienced prospectors. The state’s rich history makes it an interesting place to explore.

  • Best places for panning gold in Montana: Bannack State Park, Virginia City, Helena National Forest, Garnet Ghost Town, Libby Creek Recreational Gold Panning Area, Confederate Gulch

10 Nevada

Goldstrike pit, Carlin Trend
USGS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Goldstrike pit, Carlin Trend, Nevada, U.S.

Having a long history of gold mining, Nevada is home to the famous Carlin Trend, one of the richest gold deposits in the world. There are a number of ways to prospect for gold in the state. Some people choose to pan for gold in rivers and streams. Others use metal detectors to search for nuggets in areas that have been known to produce gold in the past. There are also a number of commercial gold mines in Nevada that offer tours and opportunities for visitors to try their hand at panning or prospecting.

  • Best places for panning gold in Nevada: Rye Patch State Recreation Area, Sixmile Canyon (Virginia City), Humboldt River, El Dorado Canyon (Nelson), Carson River, Carlin Trend

9 Colorado

Tarryall Creek, Colorado
Jeffrey BeallCC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tarryall Creek, Colorado, U.S.

One of the places to consider visiting in Colorado is the more mountainous western region of the state which is rich in gold, mostly obtained through lode and placer mining. There are many deposits to be found here, including one at Tarryall Creek. Other places to find small amounts of gold include Gilpin County, Teller County, and Summit County.

  • Best places for panning gold in Colorado: Cache Creek Prospecting Site, Arkansas River, Tarryall Creek, Clear Creek, South Platte River, Phoenix Gold Mine, Country Boy Mine

8 Alaska

Tourists trying gold panning in Skagway
Joe+Jeanette ArchieCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tourists trying gold panning in Skagway, Alaska

Potential gold prospectors won't find it easy in Alaska because the terrain is tough. If this doesn't sound like an acceptable scene, there are still some options available. Guided tours are offered by several entities. The tour guides will take travelers on trips throughout the difficult terrains. This includes hiking through pristine wilderness areas where both recreational prospectors and adventurers can find gold.

7 New Mexico

Pinos Altos Mountains, New Mexico
Patrick Alexander from Las Cruces, NM, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pinos Altos Mountains, New Mexico

The most popular mining districts in New Mexico include Elizabethtown Baldy, Hillsboro, and Pinos Altos. These areas are home to small-scale miners who use dry washers to extract placer gold from streams and creeks. The Bear Creek area is also a major source of placer gold. With its rich history and abundant resources, tourists are sure to strike it lucky if they head out in search of this precious metal in New Mexico.

  • Best places for panning gold in New Mexico: Elizabethtown, Pinos Altos, Gila River, Red River, Jicarilla District, Humbug Gulch

6 Tennessee

Tellico River, Tennessee

ChristopherMCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tellico River, Tennessee, U.S.

If planning to visit Tennessee for a weekend, there's more to it than just visiting parks and sampling different foods. Gold is found here! Most panning occurs near Tellico Plains. Recreational prospecting is also popular, and there are plenty of opportunities for beginners. The best places for the activity include Citico, Cane, and Tobe in Monroe County. Visitors can also find gold along the Tellico River. Overall, Tennessee is a great state for recreational prospectors due to the many areas where gold can be found, and there is a long history of mining in the state.

  • Best places for panning gold in Tennessee: Coker Creek, Tellico River, Little River, Coosa Creek, Streamstown Recreation Area

5 Oregon

Quartzville Creek, Oregon
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Quartzville Creek, Oregon, U.S.

Gold mining in Oregon has been happening since 1852. The state offers excellent opportunities for recreational prospectors as well as professionals who want to make a living off of it. Areas worth visiting include Jackson County, parts of Coos, and Curry Counties. There's gold in Applegate River, along the Elk, Palmer Creeks, and Patti Creek. Towns like Bourne, Granite, and Susanville also provide plenty of places where tourists can find their own piece of American history when exploring their rich landscape.

  • Best places for panning gold in Oregon: Cracker Creek Mining District, Quartzville Recreational Mining Corridor, Applegate River, Burnt River, Rogue River, Sharps Creek

4 Reed Gold Mine, North Carolina

Reed Gold Mine, North Carolina
Gus JewellCC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Reed Gold Mine, North Carolina, U.S.

Reed Gold Mine was the first documented commercial gold find in the United States. This is where it all began in the country when Conrad Reed found a 17-pound yellow "rock" in 1799 on the family farm. For three years it was used as a rather bulky doorstop until a jeweler in 1802 realized it was in fact a large gold nugget. He asked John Reed to name his price and not realizing its value he sold it for $3.50 (a week's income) - it was actually worth $3,600. Today one can visit the Reed Gold Mine.

  • Where: 9621 Reed Mine Rd., Midland, N.C. 28107
  • When: Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

3 Yukon Territory, Canada

Hunker Creek Valley, Yukon Territory
Janothird~commonswiki assumedCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hunker Creek Valley, Yukon Territory, Canada

While the Yukon Territory is obviously part of Canada and not part of the United States, it deserves an honorable mention here. It was the scene of the Klondike Gold Rush where an estimated 100,000 prospectors flocked onto the far-flung territory. The stampede of prospectors has been immortalized in films and media and most went in vain (although a few struck it rich). The Yukon is a place everyone should visit.

  • Best places for panning gold in Yukon Territory: Dawson City, Whitehorse, Bonanza Creek, Dominion Creek, Hunker Creek, Gold Bottom Creek

2 Northern Ontario, Canada

Potter Mine, Timmins
James St. JohnCC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Potter Mine, Timmins, Ontorio, Canada

Ontario gets on the list as it was the site of the Porcupine Gold Rush. It was a later gold rush that started in 1909 and peaked in 1911. It was considered the most successful of the North American gold rushes. The gold rush happened in the Canadian Shield in the Timmins area of Ontario. It peaked in the 1940s and 1950s and remains active today. The gold in the area is considered one of the largest in the world.

  • Best places for panning gold in Northern Ontorio: Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, Porcupine, Red Lake, Matachewan

1 Otago, New Zealand

Kawarau River from Goldfields Mining Centre Bridge
Andre Richard ChalmersCC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kawarau River from Goldfields Mining Centre Bridge in Otago

Ok, this is very far out of the United States, but New Zealand should also get a mention as it too saw parallel gold rushes that somewhat mirrored those of California and Canada's Yukon. Today one can discover the New Zealand heritage of the gold rushes by going on a heritage train trip in the Middle Earth lands of Central Otago. Alternatively, explore the Old Ghost Trail and explore New Zealand's other gold rush and ghost towns in the forests.