Gold Locations: How to Find Gold Mining, Prospecting, Nugget Panning

Gold locations are easy to find across the USA if you’re willing to put the time and effort into learning about gold panning, prospecting or metal detecting for gold nuggets.  One of the most important things we try to repeat often on this blog is that the best gold locations are places where people have found gold in the past.

If a prospector has found gold nuggets or flakes in an area before, then there is definitely more to find there.  The question is this: do you have the patience and the right equipment to find more gold in that location for yourself?

Here’s a quick word of warning: even if you find some great gold locations and spend a lot of time prospecting, panning or metal detecting for gold there, you probably aren’t ever going to get rich doing it.  While there’s always a small chance that you might find a huge gold nugget worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, the odds are extremely low.  What’s more likely is that you will discover a great outdoor recreational activity that is fun to learn, gets you out into the wilderness, and might end up earning you a few dollars in the process.

There are great gold prospecting locations across the United States of America, regardless of where you live.  While states like California, Alaska and Georgia have more gold than others, you might be surprised to discover that there are amateur gold prospecting clubs and organizations in your state even if it isn’t well-known for being rich in gold.

After you’ve purchased the necessary panning and prospecting equipment (which shouldn’t cost much, unless you purchase a metal detector), then it’s time to look for local gold locations to begin your new hobby.  As we said earlier, the best way to do this is to find out where people have extracted gold in the past.  Government records, online searches, and tips from fellow prospectors are all great sources of information on potential nearby gold locations.

Remember: looking for gold doesn’t have to be a solitary experience, and it can be even more rewarding and profitable if you hook up with a prospecting group.  Panning for gold is a skill that you can learn without help from anyone else, but it’s always best to get advice and tips from an experienced amateur prospector.

So, if you’re trying to find the best gold locations in your area, don’t forget to first do some digging for locals who might have experience prospecting and panning nearby.  By asking for advice and joining a local gold mining group, you won’t have to re-invent the wheel and will have a better chance at success.