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Wild Ammonoosuc River — Rockhounding 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

Map showing Wild Ammonoosuc River in Grafton County, New Hampshire

Quick details

Access
Public area
Nearest road
Route 112

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

Why is Wild Ammonoosuc River one of the best rockhounding spots in New Hampshire?+
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.
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.
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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