Gold near Minneapolis, MN
5 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Minneapolis report gold. The closest is Jordan, about 27 miles out (34 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 5 gold collecting spots within 150 miles of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Closest gold spots to Minneapolis
- JordanScott County, Minnesota27 mi · 34 min driveGold
- Plum CreekPierce County, Wisconsin53 mi · 1 hr 6 min driveDiamond, Gold
- Olmsted CountyOlmsted County, Minnesota80 mi · 1 hr 40 min driveGold
- Flambeau Copper MineRusk County, Wisconsin109 mi · 2 hr 16 min driveCalcite, Chalcocite, Malachite
- The Bend DepositTaylor County, Wisconsin132 mi · 2 hr 45 min driveAzurite, Bornite, Calaverite
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Minneapolis
Sorted by distance from Minneapolis. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JordanUS 169 | Scott County | 44.6729, -93.6207 | Public | |
| Plum CreekState Highway 72 | Pierce County | 44.7298, -92.2373 | Public | |
| Olmsted County19th Street Southeast | Olmsted County | 43.9980, -92.3889 | Public | |
| Flambeau Copper MineKennecott Avenue | Rusk County | 45.4427, -91.1209 | Public | |
| The Bend DepositNorth Road | Taylor County |
| 45.2908, -90.5964 | Public |
Gold near Minneapolis FAQ
Where can I find gold near Minneapolis?+
5 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Minneapolis report gold. The closest is Jordan in Scott County County, roughly 27 miles away (34 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Minneapolis?+
5 of the 5 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 Minneapolis do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 27 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 132 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Minneapolis
Gold near other cities
Hunt gold around Minneapolis with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
