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
From Rick Lanning
Maryland Geological Survey did a report titled
"Gold in Maryland" that
shows lots of gold locations.
From David Saum
A super collection of gold & other mineral links for the area atound MD,
VA, DC can be found at the Prospecting
for Gold Near Washington, DC web site.
From John
I've been panning along the lower banks and creeks of Great Falls, Virginia above Washington DC on the Potomac River. I've heard stories about the Maryland side of the river, but I mostly stay on the Virginia side. For your reference, in Maryland at Rock Creek Park, there is a creek called Rock Run. I've read that indians and gold hunters both have found gold here frequently. Another place on my list to try.
Where I've hit gold is a creek called Scotts Run. In old history books and state references, I've found that in my area it's about my best chance! There's also an old gold mine in the area but it is located on private property. At Scotts Run I normally scrape between the crevices down to the bedrock. I screen all the clay and rock debris and pan the remaining material. Gold flakes seem to be abundant but you really have to scrape!. I've also seen a lot of interest in people that see my daughter and I out in the mud doing this. They seem very interested but don't understand how to learn or where to go! I think it's good to share info, after all, everything I've been shown was from local prospectors. They're abundant around here. Directions- take Beltway 495 to exit 13 (Georgetown Pike) Drive north toward Great Falls Va. Scotts Run Park and Hiking Trail is located right off the Georgetown Pike Pkwy. Plenty of parking!
From Peter Shumway
I have traveled the 6 hours to Scotts Run a couple of times this year and
have done pretty well poking around the crevices just above the bridge at Swinks
Mill. I have also tried a little snooping around below the bridge in the
"park" but I was not sure I was allowed to be there so I did not spend
much time downstream... but it looked great just before you get to the falls.
I also tried to get over to Bullneck run but I could not figure out a way.
I have also done a little panning on Rock Run in Maryland and I don't think
it is as good as Scotts Run.
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