Gihon River: Gold Prospecting in Lamoille County, Vermont

Updated June 2026

Gihon River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Lamoille County, Vermont. Reported finds include gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Lamoille County
State: Vermont
Nearest road: Blakeville Road
Postcode: 05656
Coordinates: 44.70038, -72.55405

Geology at Gihon River

This spot sits on Ottauquechee Formation - carbonaceous phyllite member, mapped as phyllite that formed roughly 540 to 485 million years ago. Gold in metamorphic belts like this is typically tied to quartz veins and shear zones, with placer color in the creeks that cut them.

Mapped unit: Ottauquechee Formation - carbonaceous phyllite member
Age: 540–485 Ma (Cambrian)
Rock types: phyllite
Elevation: 940 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 Gihon River

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 25°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, EDEN 2 S station (2 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 Gihon River

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

Gold Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Gihon River.

Across the state line from Gihon River

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

Gihon River FAQ

Where is Gihon River?+

Gihon River is in Lamoille County, Vermont, at 44.70038, -72.55405. Nearest road: Blakeville Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Gihon River?+

Gihon River is reported to produce Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Gihon 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 Gihon 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 Gihon River?+

The most comfortable months at Gihon River are April to October.

How do I get to Gihon River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.70038, -72.55405 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Blakeville Road.

More rockhounding in Vermont

See all 29 Vermont spots →

Open Gihon River on the map

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