Gold near Farmington, NM
8 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Farmington report gold. The closest is San Juan River, about 76 miles out (1 hr 35 min drive).
Recreational gold collecting means panning placer gravels where moving water has concentrated heavy flakes and the occasional nugget, or working the dumps of historic lode districts.
Map of 8 gold collecting spots within 150 miles of Farmington, New Mexico
Closest gold spots to Farmington
- San Juan RiverSan Juan County, Utah76 mi · 1 hr 35 min driveAnhydrite, Chalcopyrite, Copper
- BluffSan Juan County, Utah83 mi · 1 hr 44 min driveGold
- Monticello mining districtSan Juan County, Utah103 mi · 2 hr 8 min driveAnhydrite, Carnotite, Gypsum
- Gunnison Gold Belt MinesGunnison County, Colorado125 mi · 2 hr 37 min driveGold, Copper
- Bald MesaGrand County, Utah138 mi · 2 hr 52 min driveGold, Pyrolusite
- Colorado RiverSan Juan County, Utah141 mi · 2 hr 57 min driveChromite, Gold
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Farmington
Sorted by distance from Farmington. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan River | San Juan County | 37.2782, -109.4125 | Public | |
| Bluff500 South | San Juan County | 37.2728, -109.5611 | Public | |
| Monticello mining districtCooley Pass Trail | San Juan County | 37.8313, -109.4670 | Public | |
| Gunnison Gold Belt MinesOld Huntsman Mesa Road | Gunnison County | 38.3078, -107.0925 | Public | |
| Bald MesaBald Mesa Electric Users Road | Grand County | 38.5223, -109.3252 | Public | |
| Colorado River | San Juan County | 37.7635, -110.4331 | Public | |
| Hite | Garfield County | 37.8596, -110.4044 | Public | |
| Colorado River | Garfield County | 37.8377, -110.4322 | Public |
Gold near Farmington FAQ
Where can I find gold near Farmington?+
8 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Farmington report gold. The closest is San Juan River in San Juan County County, roughly 76 miles away (1 hr 35 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Farmington?+
8 of the 8 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Do I need a permit to pan for gold?+
Hand panning is generally allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land that is not under an active mining claim, with no permit needed for pans and hand tools. Sluices and dredges fall under state rules and often do need permits. Check claim maps before working a creek: panning someone's claim is theft.
How far from Farmington do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 76 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 144 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
