How To Get Started Gold Panning
Purchase a pan or, better yet, a basic tool set which includes a second finishing pan and screen to separate sand from gold, as well as some bottles to test different areas. You can get these materials from Gold-N-Detectors in Golden for $30. You will also want a garden spade to dig, and two five gallon buckets, which you can get from a hardware store.
For tutorials on the fundamentals of how to gold pan, check out this resource on Finding Gold in Colorado, which includes a half-hour instructional video from Colorado gold pan master, Freddy Dodge.
Once you have found gold, you can once again visit Gold-N-Detectors to sell it backunder normal circumstances. COVID-19 has put some restrictions on the business but owner Bill Chapman says he can connect you with local buyers.
Point Barr On The Arkansas River
Point Barr is a public area on the Arkansas River where you can gold pan. The area is about 37 acres so you have plenty of space for prospecting. You also have the option of camping here.
You can use power equipment but only with a federal BLM permit.
The issue with Point Barr is that it’s not the easiest place to get to. The roads aren’t the best, and at times the water levels can be high. Therefore it’s recommended to come in with a 4WD vehicle and a vehicle with high clearance. In the summer there can be high water levels when the mountain snow melts.
We only recommend Point Barr if you have the right vehicle and you’re passionate about gold panning.
Pion Bridge Blm Prospecting Area Prospecting Tips
The BLM manages what it calls the Piñon Bridge Recreational Placer Mining Area to allow casual prospecting by visitors on the San Miguel River. The land highlighted in green on the map is open to casual use but is unclaimable because it was previously private land and was reacquired by the Federal government.
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Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine Tour
The Mollie Kathleen Mine sits in the heart of the Cripple Creek mining district, dubbed the Worlds Greatest Gold Camp in the 1890s. The mine, with a 1,000-foot-deep shaft, was discovered by Iowa mother Mollie Kathleen Gortner in 1891. She became the first woman to strike it rich at the Creek. The mine operated until 1961 when it turned into a tourist attraction. Now miners lower you down the deep shaft for an underground mining tour. Guides point out gold veins, show mining techniques and tools, and sometimes let you push a one-ton ore cart. At the end, everyone receives a free chunk of gold ore to take home.
Clear Creek Canyon Open Space
Owned and operated by the Jefferson County Open Space, the Clear Creek Canyon Open Space or Clear Creek gold panning area provides almost 10 miles of gold-bearing waters to the public. It is located west of the former gold rush town Golden City, at the edge of Metro Denver. Gold panning in Clear Creek, Colorado is best done during late during spring through fall.
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Gold Panning In Colorado
Colorado is one of the best states in the country for gold panning. Local Coloradans have been panning gold for centuries here with great success. This is why their local NBA team is named the Denver Nuggets.
This state had a gold rush of its own in 1859. A long time ago you could find large gold nuggets in the creeks and streams. It’s no longer common to find large gold nuggets, but you can still find gold deposits. It’s also a lot of fun to be outside and explore the beautiful landscapes of Colorado.
In addition to gold you can also find gem stones in Colorado. There is a large variety of different precious and semi-precious stones. Two of the main stones that people hunt for are topez and rhodochrosite.
Golden Jackpots: Colorado Casinos
Ever since the gold-rush days of the 1800s, folks have been trying their luck in Colorado. Try your hand at gaming in one of the states casinos there are nearly 40 to choose from, and many are open 24 hours a day.
Cripple Creek is a former mining town that has turned its fortune into more than 10 casinos. Most of the gaming houses reside along Bennett Avenue in historic buildings. Youll feel transported to the Old West as you double down in blackjack at Colorado Grande Casino.
Riches can still be found in the hills west of Denver namely casino winnings in Central City and Black Hawk, an historic pair of picturesque towns. The formers Famous Bonanza Casino features classic coin slot machines, while the latters Lodge Casino lures patrons with roulette, craps and more.
The Four Corners region of southwest Colorado is home to both of the states American Indian gaming areas. Ignacios Sky Ute Casino Resort and Ute Mountain Casino Hotel in Towaoc are vacation destinations unto themselves, with each offering a complete gaming experience along with entertainment, dining and luxe amenities.
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Gold Miner Requirements In Colorado
Related
Gold mining is alive and well in Colorado. Pikes Peak and Cripple Creek bring singsong names to the states former gold-rush history. According to Colorado Mining, the Cresson Mine is the most currently productive mine in Colorado, drawing greater than 258,000 ounces of gold in 2008. If you want to become a gold miner, you’ll need to understand state and federal gold-mining laws.
Restored Mining Town South Park City
To experience what life was really like in the small mountain towns surrounding the gold mines of Colorado, check out South Park City. South Park City is a restored mining city open to visitors in the mountain town of Fairplay. Fairplay isnt far from where we live but wed never heard about South Park City. We were pleasantly surprised on our first visit.
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Arapahoe Bar Gold Panning Park
Located in Wheat Ridge, the Arapahoe Bar is a favorite place for Denver prospectors to spend a summer afternoon. In 2013, the City of Wheat Ridge decided to formally allow recreational gold panning in the creek, so anyone can show up and try their hand at pulling gold out of the Colorado soil.
There are a few gold prospecting rules that are strictly enforced, which you can find HERE. Simply follow the rules and be courteous to other miners and park-goers, and you’ll be good to go!
Argo Gold Mine And Mill
The Argo Gold Mine and Mill dominate the historic mining town of Idaho Springs on I-70 west of Denver. The mine and mill sit at the entrance to the Argo Tunnel, a deep tunnel built to drain water from flooded mines in Central City to the north. The mill recovered gold from chunks of ore, processing over $100 million dollars of ore. Now the mill is open for tours as a mining museum with photographs, mining tools, and artifacts. Visitors can also see the entrance to the Argo Tunnel. Afterward, you head down to the rocky banks of Clear Creek for a gold panning lesson.
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Another Good Source Of Info On Prospecting In Metro Denver
A friend of mine has done his own blogging about places to go digging in metro Denver and he has some great spots to tell you about. Red Wilcox is the co-inventor/owner of the Gold Cube, Banjo Pan and the inventor of the Gold-n-Sand hand pump/dredge. (Note: I have an affiliate marketing relationship with Gold
Clear Creek Prospecting Tips
The chunk of Clear Creek in central Denver from Broadway to Washington St. has some really good gold. This stretch of river also has quite a few bridges over it which does two good things: provides some shade for summer digging Means theres bigger gold in the top gravels that was brought up during bridge
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Liquid Gold: Beer Wine & Spirits
Not all gold comes in bullion form. Our abundant craft-beverage scene ensures a variety of ways to quench your thirst. Gone are the days of Vikings and armor-clad knights, but you can still enjoy a swig of their favorite libation: mead. This sweet honey wine is often dubbed nectar of the gods, and you only need a sip to figure out why. Head to Palisades Meadery of the Rockies for a tasting of traditional sips or varieties blended with fruit, all made with 100 percent orange-blossom honey.
Hailed as the second-largest brewery in Golden , Golden City Brewery has been serving suds for more than 25 years. Grab a pint of Clear Creek Gold Kolsch and bask in the sunshine outside in the beer garden.
Caribbean mariners brought rum to Colorado during the Gold Rush for use as currency and water purification, and Montanya Rum Distillers in Crested Butte proudly carries on the tradition though these elixirs are made for imbibing with its barrel-aged, amber-hued Montanya Oro.
To get a deeper sense of boozy offerings in Colorado, tour the Colorado Spirits Trail. Established this year, the route includes more than 70 stops at craft distilleries, from bustling cities to snowy peaks. You can even collect stamps on your map as you check each libation off your list.
Retirement Is Panning Out Well For These Seniors
Morlang was born in Uravan, Colorado, where his father worked as a uranium miner. Nothing remains of this once bustling mining town south of Gateway, except for mining remnants and a sign where it once stood. His family eventually settled in Silverton, where his father was a gold miner. His father would even prospect for gold during his free time, his young son at his side.
When Morlang was just 9 years old, his father died in a tragic mine explosion. The family relocated to Delta where he spent the rest of his growing up years.
In adulthood, Morlang joined the military, started a family and drove a truck cross-country until retiring four years ago.
Never forgetting the passion he shared with his father for gold prospecting, Morlang decided thats how he would stay active both physically and socially during retirement.
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Point Barr Public Area
Most of the areas in the Arkansas River are either private or claimed which makes gold panning almost impossible there, but the Point Barr Public Area on the north part of the river is open for everyone. Gold panning in the area is best done during late summer when the waters are at lowest. Four-by-four vehicles are always recommended, and high clearance is always required because the access to the area can be tricky.
Explore The Thousands Of Mines Sites In Colorado
Although the counties discussed outline the largest gold producing areas in the state, almost all of western and central Colorado would likely be worth the effort for a modern prospector.
Colorado has a very rugged terrain, which means that a well equipped gold miner with a gold pan, a shovel and a pick stands a very good chance to make it worth his effort.
Much of this states gold is locked up in rocks and found as very fine veins of gold within quartz and other matrix. Scanning those ore piles with a Fisher Gold Bug 2 is a good way to find high-grade specimen material at old mining sites.
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Rattlesnake Gulch Public Prospecting Area
WARNING: This site may be closed due to environmental concerns. Contact the BLM office in Montrose or in Grand Junction before making plans to visit this location. Rattlesnake Gulch is a historic area north of Delta off Highway 50. It was private land which the BLM reacquired so its open to panning and sluicing
The Mother Lode Of Gold Runs From Boulder Colorado South West To Leadville Colorado The Largest Cluster Of Claims And Mines Were Located Just To The West West Of Denver Along Clear Creek Near Idaho Springs The Gold Sites Follow The Continental Divide And Are Located To The East Of The Divide From Boulder To Denver And Found Mostly By The Streams Steep Drops Are Noted Around Alpine Peak And Grays Peak Down To The Stream Valley Many Gold Sites Are Found On Both Sides Of The Divide Near Leadville Other Gold Sites Are Shown From Aspen To Bailey Many Gold Sites In The National Forest Are Located Near Paved Roads And Trails There Are Many Hiking Trails In This Area The Legend Of Treasure Mountain The Legend Is That In The Late 1700’s Napoleon Of France Sent An Expedition To Find Gold In America The Expedition Found Gold Near Treasure Mountain But Were Unable To Get It Out Due To Problems With The Indians So They Hid The Gold That They Found Near Treasure Mountain All But One Or Two Members Of The Expedition Were Killed By The Indians And Those Two Barely Escaped Back To Tell About The Gold Legend Has It That The Gold Is Still Hidden Somewhere Near Treasure Mountain Treasure Mountain Is Shown In The Leadville Portion Of The Gold Maps There Are Many Gold Sites Found In This Area
| DURANGO / CORTEZ Gold maps – 954 Gold sites | Towns in the vicinity – Durango, Silverton, Cortez. Over 100 Hiking Trails locations. | San Juan, Rio Grande, Uncompahgre National Forest. Ghost Towns / Miners Camps and Historical towns – 25 |
| LA VETA PASS Gold map – 65 Gold sites | Towns in the vicinity – La Veta, Hooper, Crestone | San Isabel and Rio Grande National Forest. |
| MONTROSE Gold maps – 450 Gold sites | Towns in the vicinity – Montrose, Gunnison, Salida, Monarch, Cimarron, Crawford. 54 Hiking Trails locations. | Gunnison and Uncompahgre National Forest. Ghost Towns / Miners Camps and Historical towns – 35. |
| COLORADO SPRINGS / CANON CITY Gold maps – 208 Gold sites. | Towns in the vicinity – Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Cripple Creek, Canon City, Westcliffe. Active gold prospectors clubs claims area. | San Isabel and Rio Grande National Forest. Pikes Peak. Ghost Towns / Miners Camps and Historical towns – 13. |
Please click below to find the price of the gold map
| S. Fork Mineral Creek, Silverton | View of Downtown Silverton, Colorado. |
Gold maps will be mailed via U.S. mail.
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Gold Mining In Colorado
| Gold Mining in Colorado |
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| Gold mining centers in Colorado |
| Location |
| Colorado Division of Reclamation Mining & Safety |
| Website |
| Gold |
Gold mining in Colorado, a state of the United States, has been an industry since 1858. It also played a key role in the establishment of the state of Colorado.
Explorer Zebulon Pike heard a report of gold in South Park, present-day Park County, Colorado, in 1807.
Gold discoveries in Colorado began around Denver prospectors traced the placer gold to its source in the mountains west of Denver, then followed the Colorado Mineral Belt in a southwest direction across the state to its terminus in the San Juan Mountains. The Cripple Creek district, far from the mineral belt, was one of the last gold districts to be discovered and is still in production.
Clear Creek Canyon Park
Clear Creek Canyon is another site set aside for gold prospectors. It is a located along Highway 6 on your way to the Blackhawk. It allows gold panning, sluicing, and even suction dredges of up to 4 inches in diameter.
The property is run by Jefferson County which strictly follow the laid down rules. Although there are plenty of areas to prospect here it is important you fill all the holes before leaving, dont disturb vegetation and dont prospect to within 100 feet of any given structure within the park.
Clear Creek Canyon Park is located to the west of Golden, Colorado on the edge of Denver. It gives access to about 10 miles of waterway to prospect for gold. The water level in the canyon vary throughout the year but the flow of water means that gold along the river bed is replenished and thus giving a great opportunity to find some valuable gold.
Also be aware that most of the gold is very fine, so you will need to use your best fine gold recovery techniques to capture it.
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Finding Gold In Colorado: Inspiring Images Now Available
We are very excited to announce the next book in the Finding Gold in Colorado collection! Finding Gold in Colorado: Inspiring Images takes you on a photographic journey through Colorado Gold Country. If you enjoy the Prospectors Edition, youll love this new book. It includes hundreds of full color photos, all organized in the same
*** Township Ranges Finder ***
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H & H Engineering is a reputable firm established in 1984. If you are not satisfied with the gold maps, please return them and we will refund your money less the cost for shipping and handling.
These gold maps show so much map data, that besides the gold sites, you can use them to navigate and plan for fishing trips, camping trips and hiking.
FOR YOUR NEXT VACATION – DISCOVER GOLD – TAKE A GOLD TREK.
THESE GOLD MAPS SHOW 1000’S OF GOLD SITES.
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