Colorado Gold Locations

The places listed below are user submitted gold prospecting locations. Things change over time - these places may or may not still be open. Be sure to fill your holes, pick up your trash and don't trespass. We are losing good spots all the time.

We really need more info on this state! If you know of any other prospecting locations in this or surrounding areas, please fill out this form. What we need here are fairly specific places like "downstream from where Highway 20 crosses Dry Creek". There are lots of books that say something like "The gold belt runs through ABC & XYZ Counties" or "Gold has been found in ABC River and some of its tributaries". That really doesn't say much about where YOU can find gold, private property issues or Forest Circus rules etc. Please use this form only for suggesting fairly specific places to be added to this page where new prospectors or folks visiting from other areas have a good chance of finding gold. Thank you

Name: Email:

State:County: 

Fairly specfic place where folks can find gold:

From Ken Oyler
Denver, Jefferson, Golden, Gilpin, Chaffee, Park, Summit and other counties.
Lots of fine gold in Clear Creek where it empties into the Platte River going Upstream, west through Golden and up to BlackHawk and Central City (the North Fork).

Clear Creek Forks to the south and goes through Idaho Springs. Many places open to the public along the creek. The farther upstream towards Blackhawk and Idaho Springs, the bigger and coarser it gets.

From Idaho Springs North to Central City, on the "Oh My God" road, there are several areas where nuggets are found. Look for gulleys and wash-out areas.

Mine dumps in all mining areas are usually pretty good if in placer areas. One has to check out if Private property or not. A good portion is private.

All along the Arkansas river from it's confluence on south, downstream through Leadville, Buena Vista to Salida is gold bearing. Lots of private land there also. Those are a few places to go. As usual check out the areas first and see if there are any restrictions.

Fairplay County
From Antonio Farnelli
Fairplay County has a public "beach" located on the Middle Fork of the Platte River. It is accessible from a side street on US HWY 285, about 1/2 mile south of the CO HWY 9 intersection with US HWY 285 in Fairplay (there are signs for Fairplay Beach). Anyone is allowed to pan or sluice in posted areas. Only fine gold and small flakes are found. This area has been extensively dredged in the past. This is right in the middle with dredge piles nearby.
I will provide more details upon request.

Brian Fairo writes: I just wanted to share a good prospecting site with you in Colorado. Clear Creek, which starts in the town of Golden has been a consistent source of gold in recent years for panners. There is no fee or club to join and is open to everyone. I myself just got a metal detector and will let you know if I find any good locations. Thank you and have a great day!

Delta County
There is placer gold to be found in Delta County.  At this location, I always find color in the pan.  (I like to pan) Highbanking would be a better method and is used by most at this open location.  The gravel bar is about thirty to fifty feet above the river. The location is accessible by most vehicles except lowriders.
Finding It:
Take US50 north of Delta, CO to County Road 730. (about 10 miles).  Take 730 down into the Gunnison River canyon.  At the bottom of the hill, take the left fork of the road and travel up river until you come to a Railroad crossing.  Cross the Railroad and continue Up River to the end of the road.  Here you will see where people have been digging in the gravel bar.  I have also been told that the gravel on the river has gold, though I haven't tried it.

From (No Name)
Delta County
There is placer gold to be found in Delta County.  At this location, I always find color in the pan.  (I like to pan) Highbanking would be a better method and is used by most at this open location.  The gravel bar is about thirty to fifty feet above the river. The location is accessible by most vehicles except lowriders.
Finding It:
Take US50 north of Delta, CO to County Road 730. (about 10 miles).  Take 730 down into the Gunnison River canyon.  At the bottom of the hill, take the left fork of the road and travel up river until you come to a Railroad crossing.  Cross the Railroad and continue Up River to the end of the road.  Here you will see where people have been digging in the gravel bar.  I have also been told that the gravel on the river has gold, though I haven't tried it.

Back to Where to Find It Page Back to home page