In Montana, you can see gold panning demonstrations in several locations. At the Kootenai National Forest near Libby, an entire area has been dedicated for gold panning. You can also try your luck at Alder Gulch, in Nevada City.
Do you need a permit to pan for gold in Montana?
To summarize, panning doesn’t require any permits. Small sluices are allowed, but suction dreding is heavily regulated. A detailed breakdown of Montana’s gold mining laws can be found on the USDA’s official PDF guide for prospecting.
Can you pan for gold on public land in Montana?
The Libby Creek Recreational Gold Panning Area is located 23 miles south of Libby, Montana, within the Kootenai National Forest. The public is allowed to pan for gold within this area and any gold you happen to find is yours to keep.
Where can I find gold in Montana?
Gold panning on Montana’s Rivers will still produce gold nuggets and fine gold.
Below are 7 Montana Rivers that are worth checking out.
- Missouri River.
- Big Hole River.
- Boulder River.
- Blackfoot River.
- Yaak River.
- Clark Fork River.
- Bitterroot River.
Can you still mine gold in Montana?
Today’s active Montana gold mines include the Golden Sunlight and Montana Tunnels. Some gold placers are also still in production such as the Confederate Gulch and Browns Gulch. Even several titanium mines produce gold as well for example East Boulder Project, Stillwater, and Lodestar.
Can you pan for gold in Glacier National Park?
There’s not gold panning in Glacier National Park, but you are allowed to pan for gold in the Libby Creek Gold Panning area inside Kootenai National Forest, three hours west of the park.
How do I get a mining claim in Montana?
Information regarding minerals is available online at: http://www.blm.gov/or/programs/minerals/.
- Choose your Federal Public Lands area of mining interest.
- Determine if there are active claims in the area of interest using LR2000.
- Procure copies of location notices for active claims in your area of interest.
Where can I metal detect gold in Montana?
Some of the best rivers for metal detecting in Montana are: Basin Creek, Flathead. Big Creek, Lincoln. Bitterroot River, Ravalli.
What is the best state to find gold?
Nevada
1. Nevada. Currently the top gold mining state of the US, Nevada is home to three of the world’s top 10 gold mines and seven of the top 10 US sites. Nevada’s Goldstrike is the top gold mine in the US, followed by the Cortez and Carlin Gold Mines, with all three located in north-central Nevada.
Is there gold in Yellowstone Park?
Let’s state this right upfront so nobody gets into trouble. Gold prospecting and rockhounding are completely off-limits within Yellowstone National Park. You cannot dig or collect anywhere within the park boundary, and you could get in serious trouble if you do.
Is there a lot of gold in Montana?
Montana is listed by the U.S. Geological Survey as the seventh-largest gold producing state in the nation, which is amazing considering that the major gold deposits are only located in the western part of the state in the rugged mountains that make up the Continental Divide.
Is there gold in Flathead Lake?
Copper resources probably occur in the Middle Fork drainage near Bear Creek, but tonnage and grade are unknown. Gold occurs in the alluvial deposits along the three forks of the Flathead River but not in mineable quantities. Little mining has occurred.
Is there gold in the Crazy Mountains?
Evaluation of exploration data indicates that thousands of metric tons or more of metals such as copper, nickel, chromium, palladium, platinum, gold, and rhodium remain to be discovered.
Is There gold in Rock Creek Montana?
The Rock Creek is a copper and silver mine located in Sanders county, Montana.
What happens if I find gold in a national park?
Normally, any gold found can be removed and kept. If the removal of the gold, rocks, or minerals might cause disturbance of surface resources, beyond digging a small shallow hole, a NOI may be required. 3.
Does Black Sand mean gold?
Black sands (mostly iron) can be and usually is an indicator of gold, but not always. Rule of thumb is you will generally find black sand with gold, but not always gold with black sand. However if you are finding gold and getting black sands with it, it would be worthwhile to try some and see what happens.
Why is a ground sluice illegal?
Suction dredge mining has a history of controversy. California courts have repeatedly confirmed that it violates state laws and poses threats to wildlife, and the state government has placed a moratorium on the destructive practice.
Can you still stake a land claim in Montana?
Federal lands where you can stake a claim are located in 19 states. These states are Alaska, Montana, Utah, Arizona, Arkansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, California, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, Idaho, North Dakota, Louisiana, Wyoming, Mississippi, and Washington.
How long is a gold claim good for?
The maximum period is 90 days from the staking of a claim or site on the ground. However, some states require earlier filings, such as 30 or 60 days from the date of location.
Can you live on a gold claim?
A miner has the right only to the minerals; he may not live on the land without permission. If a cabin is located on a new claim, it belongs to the BLM and may not be used by the miner. A mining claim may also be staked on certain Forest Service (USFS) land, with much of the same requirements.
How do you know if a river is gold?
Gold is found where water flow is altered by obstacles such as boulders and logs or by watercourse contours, such as bends in river. Gold can also be found where two rivers or streams come together. It is what’s called a “confluence zone.” Gold will tend to build up as a pay streak in these areas.