Gold Panning and Prospecting near Moab, UT
12 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Moab report gold. The closest is Salt Valley, about 11 miles out (14 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.
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Moab
Salt ValleyGrand County, Utah · 11 mi awayPermission required · Azurite, Carnallite, Gold +6
Bald MesaGrand County, Utah · 13 mi awayPublic access · Gold, Pyrolusite- Colorado RiverGrand County, Utah · 31 mi awayPublic access · Chromite, Gold
- Monticello mining districtSan Juan County, Utah · 51 mi awayPublic access · Anhydrite, Carnotite, Gypsum +9
- HiteGarfield County, Utah · 68 mi awayPermission required · Gold, Platinum
- Colorado RiverGarfield County, Utah · 70 mi awayPermission required · Gold, Magnetite
- Colorado RiverSan Juan County, Utah · 74 mi awayPermission required · Chromite, Gold
- San Juan RiverSan Juan County, Utah · 90 mi awayPermission required · Anhydrite, Chalcopyrite, Copper +3
- BluffSan Juan County, Utah · 90 mi awayPermission required · Gold
- Colorado RiverKane County, Utah · 119 mi awayPermission required · Gold, Magnetite
- JensenUintah County, Utah · 124 mi awayPublic access · Gold
- Gunnison Gold Belt MinesGunnison County, Colorado · 134 mi awayPublic access · Gold, Copper
Gold near Moab FAQ
Where can I find gold near Moab?+
12 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Moab report gold. The closest is Salt Valley in Grand County, roughly 11 miles away (14 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Moab?+
5 of the 12 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 Moab do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 11 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 134 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Moab
Gold Panning and Prospecting near other cities
Hunt gold around Moab 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.
