Gold Panning and Prospecting near Portland (Maine), ME
14 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Portland (Maine) report gold. The closest is Acton Lead Mines, about 35 miles out (44 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 Portland (Maine)
Acton Lead MinesYork County, Maine · 35 mi awayPublic access · Andalusite, Arsenopyrite, Bornite +9
Best spotSandy River at New SharonFranklin County, Maine · 67 mi awayCheck locally · Gold, Garnet, Magnetite
Best spotSwift River at Coos CanyonOxford County, Maine · 76 mi awayPublic access · Gold, Garnet, Magnetite +1
Best spotTunnel BrookGrafton County, New Hampshire · 87 mi awayPublic access · Gold Placer, Gold Nugget
Best spotWild Ammonoosuc RiverGrafton County, New Hampshire · 90 mi awayPublic access · Gold Placer, Gold Nugget
Best spotIndian StreamCoös County, New Hampshire · 123 mi awayPublic access · Gold Nugget, Gold Placer
Best spotCamp Plymouth State ParkWindsor County, Vermont · 123 mi awayPublic access · Gold
Best spotWhite RiverOrange County, Vermont · 124 mi awayPublic access · Gold- Gold BrookLamoille County, Vermont · 131 mi awayPublic access · Gold
Best spotLittle RiverLamoille County, Vermont · 133 mi awayPublic access · Gold
Best spotMad RiverWashington County, Vermont · 133 mi awayPublic access · Gold- Gihon RiverLamoille County, Vermont · 135 mi awayPublic access · Gold
- Missisquoi RiverOrleans County, Vermont · 136 mi awayPublic access · Gold
- Lamoille RiverLamoille County, Vermont · 138 mi awayPublic access · Gold
Types of gold reported near Portland (Maine)
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Gold11
- Gold Nugget3
- Gold Placer3
Gold near Portland (Maine) FAQ
Where can I find gold near Portland (Maine)?+
14 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Portland (Maine) report gold. The closest is Acton Lead Mines in York County, roughly 35 miles away (44 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Portland (Maine)?+
13 of the 14 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 Portland (Maine) do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 35 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 138 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Portland (Maine)
Gold Panning and Prospecting near other cities
Hunt gold around Portland (Maine) 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.
