6 Places In The US To Prospect For Gold Or Gemstones

The United States is rich in gemstones and gold. In fact, much of the country’s history is tied to the gold rushes that affected patterns of migration and development. The most significant of these was the California Gold Rush, which happened from 1848 to 1855.

While no one is moving out West to make it in the gold mines anymore, there are still plenty of places where you can pan for gold or mine for gemstones. Besides being a fun activity, you also get to keep whatever you find, whether that's a common stone or a precious white diamond.

Ready to try your luck? These are the best places in the U.S. to prospect for gold or gemstones.

# Emerald Hollow Mine, North Carolina

Did you know that emeralds are more valuable than white diamonds? Though the gemstones are not too common in the United States, they can be found in a handful of mines. Emerald Hollow Mine is the only of these that is open to the public.

You can dig for the gemstones on a surface mine or pan for them in the creek. Both are fun activities, so even if you don’t find anything, you’ll enjoy the experience.

# Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, California

This state park commemorates the site where James W. Marshall discovered gold in California in 1848. Often cited as one of the most important events in the state’s history, this is what began the California gold rush.

You can join the park’s gold panning lessons before putting your new skills into practice. If you already know how to pan for gold, you can simply head to the American River and start your search.

The only tools allowed for prospecting are your hands and pans.

# Mount Antero, Colorado

Don’t want to pay anyone to go prospecting? You absolutely don’t have to. If you’ve got some experience and your own equipment, you can come to Mount Antero in Colorado and mine for precious gemstones completely independently.

For the best chance of finding something, you’ll have to hike close to the summit, which rises at 14,269 feet. Nothing that’s worthwhile is easy.

You’ll be able to find stones like amethyst, topaz and aquamarine.

# Mount Antero, Colorado

Don’t want to pay anyone to go prospecting? You absolutely don’t have to. If you’ve got some experience and your own equipment, you can come to Mount Antero in Colorado and mine for precious gemstones completely independently.

For the best chance of finding something, you’ll have to hike close to the summit, which rises at 14,269 feet. Nothing that’s worthwhile is easy.

You’ll be able to find stones like amethyst, topaz and aquamarine.

# Crow Creek Gold Mine, Alaska

Located an hour away from Anchorage, Crow Creek Gold Mine was once an active mine during the Alaskan Gold Rush.

Environmental protections (thankfully) limited the area’s mining activity, but this now family-owned mine still offers gold panning tours. What differentiates it from similar places is that it allows for an experience based on your interests.

Amateurs can do a mine tour and pan with the basic tools. But if you’re a serious gold rusher, you can bring your metal detector or suction dredge to increase your chances of finding significant quantities of the precious metal.

Also, you’ll be in Alaska, which already makes the experience cooler.

# Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas

As an entire state park dedicated to letting you mine for diamonds, Crater of Diamonds is one of the best places in the country to test your luck at precious stone prospecting.

The park has a Discovery Center, where they provide free tools and training to help you learn techniques for recognizing diamonds and other stones. You can also rent tools and equipment from the park if you don’t have your own.

Wondering if it's worth it? The park claims that visitors discovered 237 diamonds from 2016 to 2020. And in October 2021, a casual California tourist found a 4.38-carat diamond at the park.