The Rogue River in Oregon is the major river system in the southwest region. This river has been known to be the main gold producer in the area for a number of years, and has a huge potential for gold prospectors.
Nearly all of the rich gold-bearing areas in southwest Oregon eventually drain into the Rogue River. It is on record that the placer gold is located in almost all the parts of the lower river, from the Pacific Ocean all the way up to the entrance to Bear Creek.
First Arrival of Miners on the Rogue
The occurrence of two major events in history led to the rapid increase of population when the whites from different locations rushed to the place. There was already some growth in this area because the fertile Willamette Valley to the north was popular with settlers on the Oregon Trail. Of course when gold was discovered along the banks of the Rogue in the early 1850s, many of these settlers tried their luck at gold mining.
When the mineral was discovered, most of the miners first worked along Applegate River’s sands and went further into areas around the Rogue River where the gravel bars were mined. The panning continued on the main tributaries of the Rogue River as well as the Umpqua River valleys in 1850s respectively.
More gold discoveries in the area were located in the Rogue valley area of Josephine Creek, as a result when news spread in most the parts hundreds of men continue to rush to the area, and gold worth over $70 million was extracted.
Prospecting the Gold Hill Area
One of the richest area along their river are in the areas around Gold Hill and Grants Pass,. This section of the river produced gold worth millions of dollars. The famous Gold Hill Pocket was discovered here and many other sources fed the rich placers.
The river also encompasses three recreational prospecting areas that are found along Highway 234, which is about 2 miles on the north-eastern part of Gold Hill. The three places are also referred to as the Gold Nugget Waysides, found on the southern part of the Highway along the Rogue River. It is also important for prospectors to understand that the three recreational places are not open for claim, which means anyone can stop there and do some panning.
Limited Prospecting in the Hellgate Recreation Area
Other well-known richest areas with gold on the Rogue River are confined in the Hellgate Recreation Area, with the upper-end beginning from the confluence of the Applegate River, all the way downstream about 27 miles to the confluence of Grave Creek. The area within Hellgate is open for people to do recreational gold panning.
This area provides more good access to gold rich gravels than anywhere in Oregon. However, in as much as the areas around Rogue River have so much potential for gold panning, there are strict measures which are put in place to regulate how gold can be collected. Primarily it is the (dreaded) limitation known as “hands and pans,” which prevents miners from using any equipment except a simple gold pan. Even simple tools like picks, shovels, and sluice boxes are strictly forbidden.
General Mining Restrictions in Southern Oregon
Gold prospecting is becoming more and more challenging in Oregon. Getting proper permits for equipment like suction dredges has been getting more and more challenging. Operating any sort of motorized mining equipment is becoming heavily regulated in Oregon waters that have salmon and steelhead. This makes it pretty hard for a person to get any decent gold.
On the Rogue River, your best opportunities are going to be within the Hellgate Recreation Area and at the Gold Nugget Waysides. Most any other part of the river that has gold is either actively claimed or on private land. Even with the restrictions, the gravels are still very rich and a person can find some decent gold if the work hard at it.
If you are serious about gold, consider exploring some of the many tributaries of the Rogue River as well. There is lots of gold in Southern Oregon.
Next: Oregon’s Largest Gold Nugget is on Public Display