With documented gold deposits
Still producing gold today
Gold produced since 1848
New discoveries every year
California Gold: Still Abundant in 2025
California is synonymous with gold. From the legendary 1849 Gold Rush to modern-day prospecting, the Golden State continues to yield precious metal. While the easy pickings of the surface gold are long gone, today's mining claims in proven locations still offer excellent opportunities for finding gold.
Whether you're planning to buy a mining claim, looking for public gold panning areas, or researching the best locations, this comprehensive guide reveals where California's gold is still being found today.
Top 10 Gold-Producing Counties in California
The Golden Triangle
Nevada, Placer, and El Dorado counties form California's "Golden Triangle" - the most productive gold region in state history, accounting for over 60% of all gold ever mined in California.
Why It's #1:
- Historic mining district with Grass Valley and Nevada City
- Both lode and placer deposits abundant
- Active claims still producing today
- Accessible year-round prospecting
Best Rivers & Creeks:
- Yuba River (North, Middle, South Forks)
- Deer Creek
- Bear River
- Little Deer Creek
Pro Tip: Nevada County has numerous available mining claims with proven production. The area's combination of ancient river channels and modern waterways makes it ideal for both metal detecting and sluicing.
Key Features:
- Named after placer mining
- American River North Fork legendary
- Close to Sacramento - easy access
- Excellent beginner-friendly locations
Best Rivers & Creeks:
- North Fork American River
- Middle Fork American River
- Auburn Ravine
- Secret Ravine
Best Rivers & Creeks:
- South Fork American River
- Cosumnes River
- Weber Creek
Why Prospect Here:
- Placerville - "Hangtown" Gold Rush town
- Mix of recreation and prospecting
- Family-friendly locations
Trinity County
Home to the Trinity River, one of California's most productive gold rivers. Remote but incredibly rich. Check our Trinity County claims.
Butte County
Feather River drainage - excellent placer deposits. Rich Gulch and Cherokee Flat are legendary. Great mix of public panning areas and available claims.
Siskiyou County
Home to the Salmon River and Klamath River. Northern California's gold hotspot with active prospecting.
Mariposa County
Southern Gold Country. Merced River and Bear Creek. Near Yosemite with beautiful scenery and good gold potential.
Tuolumne County
Jamestown and Sonora areas. Rich lode and placer history. Tuolumne River still produces.
Calaveras County
Home to the famous "Calaveras Skull" - Angels Camp and Mokelumne Hill historic districts still yield gold.
Sierra County
Downieville Gold Rush town. North Yuba River and numerous creeks. High elevation but high rewards.
California's Best Gold Rivers
California's rivers have been the lifeblood of gold prospecting since 1848. These waterways continue to deposit and expose new gold every year through natural erosion and flooding. Here are the top rivers where modern prospectors still find gold regularly.
A tributary of the Klamath River, the Salmon River offers spectacular scenery and excellent gold potential. Less crowded than some areas, this river has numerous productive bars and bedrock crevices perfect for crevicing and sniping.
The American River is where James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848, triggering the California Gold Rush. All three forks still produce gold, with the North Fork being particularly productive. Close to Sacramento, these rivers see heavy recreational use but continue to yield gold for persistent prospectors.
North Fork
Best producer, coarse gold, many claims available
Middle Fork
Remote canyons, good gold, requires hiking
South Fork
Easy access, great for beginners, fine gold
Yuba River
Nevada County - All three forks produce gold. North Yuba near Downieville is legendary. Check our Yuba River claims.
Klamath River
Siskiyou County - Major river system with excellent gold. Happy Camp area is particularly good.
Feather River
Butte/Plumas Counties - Rich Bar was one of the richest strikes. Still good gold in all forks.
Merced River
Mariposa County - Beautiful Gold Country river with consistent fine to medium gold.
Stanislaus River
Tuolumne/Calaveras Counties - North Fork particularly good for gold panning.
Cosumnes River
El Dorado County - Underrated river with good gold and easy access.
How to Find Gold in These Locations
1. Research Before You Go
Use resources like our comprehensive buying guide to research specific areas. Study historical production data, talk to local prospectors, and check recent finds on forums.
2. Look for the Right Geological Features
- Bedrock: Gold settles on bedrock due to its weight
- Inside Bends: Rivers slow down on inside bends, depositing gold
- Behind Boulders: Large rocks create low-pressure zones where gold drops
- Crevices: Natural gold traps in bedrock cracks
- Black Sand: Heavy minerals indicate gold may be present
3. Use the Right Techniques
Different locations call for different methods. Visit our techniques guide to learn:
4. Get the Right Access
The best gold areas often require proper access. You have several options:
- Public Land: BLM and National Forest areas open to recreational panning
- Buy a Mining Claim: Get exclusive rights to proven ground - see our available claims
- Prospecting Clubs: Join clubs with claims in premium locations
- Private Permission: Get landowner permission (rare but possible)
Frequently Asked Questions
Nevada County is historically the most productive, followed by Placer and El Dorado counties. These three counties form the "Golden Triangle" and have produced over 60% of all California gold. The Trinity River region and Siskiyou County are also major producers. Browse our available claims in these counties.
Yes! California rivers continue to produce gold for recreational and serious prospectors. Rivers constantly erode upstream deposits and expose new gold after floods. The Trinity River, American River, Yuba River, and Salmon River all yield regular finds. Learn more about gold panning techniques for beginners.
For recreational gold panning on public land (BLM and National Forests), you typically don't need a claim - just hand tools like a gold pan. However, for serious prospecting with sluices, metal detectors, or motorized equipment, having your own mining claim gives you exclusive rights to proven ground. Read about what a mining claim means.
Late summer and fall (August-October) offer the best conditions when water levels are low, exposing bedrock and gravel bars. Spring runoff (April-June) can be productive but dangerous due to high water. Winter works in Southern California and low-elevation areas. Many of our mining claims are accessible year-round.
Experts estimate that only 10-20% of California's gold has been recovered. The USGS estimates millions of ounces remain. Modern technology can now recover gold missed by 19th-century miners. New deposits are constantly exposed by erosion. The gold isn't gone - it just requires knowledge, effort, and the right location. Check our comprehensive buying guide to get started.