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Wild Ammonoosuc River: Gold Prospecting in Grafton County, New Hampshire

Updated July 2026

The Wild Ammonoosuc is New Hampshire's most popular gold-panning river, carrying fine placer gold from its White Mountain National Forest headwaters down to its mouth at Bath, and it was a center of the state's brief 1860s gold rush. The town-owned Swiftwater Covered Bridge gives public access to gravel bars and bedrock crevices. State law allows hand panning without a permit. Reported finds include gold placer, gold nugget. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Wild Ammonoosuc River photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

The Swiftwater covered bridge of 1849 over the Wild Ammonoosuc River, Bath, New Hampshire

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Grafton County
State: New Hampshire
Nearest road: Route 112
Coordinates: 44.14870, -71.93750

Geology at Wild Ammonoosuc River

This spot sits on ground mapped as Ammonoosuc Volcanics that formed roughly 485 to 445 million years ago. Gold in volcanic terrain like this is usually tied to old vein systems and the gravels that drain them, so nearby washes tend to carry the color.

Mapped unit: Ammonoosuc Volcanics
Age: 485–445 Ma (Ordovician)
Elevation: 1,040 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Wild Ammonoosuc River

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 78°F in midsummer and 27°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BENTON 5 SW station (8 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Wild Ammonoosuc River

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Wild Ammonoosuc River.

Across the state line from Wild Ammonoosuc River

Wild Ammonoosuc River is close enough to the New Hampshire border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Wild Ammonoosuc River FAQ

Where is Wild Ammonoosuc River?+

Wild Ammonoosuc River is in Grafton County, New Hampshire, at 44.14870, -71.93750. Nearest road: Route 112.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Wild Ammonoosuc River?+

Wild Ammonoosuc River is reported to produce Gold Placer, Gold Nugget.

Is collecting allowed at Wild Ammonoosuc River?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Wild Ammonoosuc River?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Wild Ammonoosuc River?+

The most comfortable months at Wild Ammonoosuc River are April to October.

How do I get to Wild Ammonoosuc River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.14870, -71.93750 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Route 112.

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