It’s no surprise that there are some great gold prospecting areas around Sacramento. In fact, the city can probably own its existence to the California Gold Rush, which occurred in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east.
Thousands and thousands of miners made their living during the last century. There isn’t as much large-scale mining going on today, but a person can still go out with a gold pan and a sluice box and recover some nice gold from the creeks and rivers.
Below are some historically rich areas you might want to check out. Some of these areas have designated gold panning areas; others will take a bit more research to find a spot to dip your gold pan. The gold is still there though – those old-timers didn’t get all of it!
1. Malakoff Diggins
At this famous park panning for gold can be done along Humbug Creek near Nevada City. This is where the site for California’s largest hydraulic mining operations was once located.
2. Downieville
The town is located at the northern tip of Sierra Nevada Mountains which was founded by the Scottish miner in 1849. In this area, the early prospectors would excavate large quantities of gold using primitive tools as simple as a Bowie knife and a cup. It is said the place was so rich that miners of about 1,500 to 2,000 would find their way up there within a few months. There is a place with public panning within town, east at union flat.
3. Auburn
This old mining town is northeast of Sacramento, where other prospectors have had success in gold panning over the years. There is access to gold panning in a place called Bear Valley Park. Pretty much every creek and gulley in this area is going to have some gold. This area is loaded with gold!
4. Coloma
It’s certainly no secret that there’s gold in Coloma. A place one would not want to miss where it concerns panning for gold. This town has a state historic park where prospecting is even allowed – hands and pans only.
5. Roaring Camp Mining Co.
It is a privately-owned site southeast of Sacramento. It is even more exciting to experience guided tour visits to Mokelumne Canyon where visitors are shown the way to pan gold. You will have to pay to prospect here, but its a good opportunity for the casual prospector.
6. Columbia
There are public panning areas on the Stanislaus and Tuolumne rivers. The canyon above New Melones Lake and Angels Camp are well-known for producing gold. There are hundreds of mines scattered through the mountains here that feed the placers in the rivers.
Read: Mining History of Angels Camp
7. Grass Valley
These two towns are both amazing places with an amazing mining history. One can experience some of this history at the Empire Mine Historic State Park. Greenhorn Creek is a popular prospecting area here.
8. Oroville
The richest gold mining near Oroville were found along French Creek, Brush Creek and of course the Feather River. Many large bucket dredges operated around Oroville for decade, extracting millions of dollars in gold. There is a place for visitors to view panning demonstrations at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.
Also Read: California’s Mother Lode Country
9. Swasey Recreational Area
This one is a bit of a drive, but it’s worth mentioning because it provides miles and miles of good access through some of Northern California’s richest gold country. If you’re looking for a new spot to try, take a drive up to this access west of Redding and give it a try. This is a good place to look for gold nuggets with a metal detector
10. Merced River
A number of places are available several miles near Briceburg, and are very much open to recreational gold panning within the designated area of the river.
11. Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
There is a specific place set apart only for gold panning (hands and pans only) on the northeast banks of the American river across the park’s museum. There are also a good number of businesses in the area which are entirely dedicated to gold pans
Next: Can You Actually Make Money Mining for Gold?
Also Read: Crush & Melt! How to Remove Gold from Rich Ores