Where to Find Gold in California
4 mapped gold rockhounding spots in California, across 4 counties. Recreational gold panning is allowed on much BLM and Forest Service land. California offers a remarkable spread, from gold-bearing rivers in the Mother Lode to jade beaches on the central coast and the agate-and-jasper hills of the Mojave.
Map of 4 gold rockhounding spots in California
Gold by county in California
Counties ranked by number of gold spots in our database.
Every gold spot in California
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek MinesForest Route 18N17 | Del Norte County | 41.9618, -123.8020 | Public | |
| El Paso MountainsEP170 | Kern County | 35.4376, -117.8159 | Public | |
| Happy Camp Jade MinesSouth Indian Road | Siskiyou County |
| 41.8766, -123.4602 | Public |
| Trinity RiverBrowns Mountain Road | Trinity County | 40.6938, -122.8635 | Public |
Gold in California FAQ
Where can I find gold in California?+
RockHoundR tracks 4 gold spots in California, spread across 4 counties. The strongest concentration is in Del Norte County.
Is collecting gold legal in California?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like gold is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in California, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best gold location in California?+
Del Norte County has the most gold spots in our database for California. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for gold
Other minerals to find in California
Hunt gold in California on the map
Open RockHoundR for live land overlays, weather, geology, and saved spots.
