Panning for Gold in North Georgia
Did you know that parts of North Georgia were once home to one of the USA’s earliest and largest gold rushes? Although the high-production days of the Dahlonega gold rush have long passed, there are many ways to sift through the rich history and lasting legacy of Georgia’s gold industry.

Panning for Gold in Georgia
Whether you prefer to visit historic gold sites, venture into local gold panning attractions, or find your own places to pan for gold in North Georgia, there are great options for everyone to enjoy!
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Gold in GA
Although Native Americans had known of gold in North Georgia since the 1700s, the natural resource went largely unnoticed until European settlers discovered gold near Dahlonega in 1828.
History of Gold in Georgia
After news spread of gold in the area, gold prospectors started arriving to stake their claims, and Georgia’s gold rush began in 1829. By the spring of 1830, 4,000 people were working along the Yahoola Creek alone.

Map of the Georgia gold belts from 1909
During the Gold Lottery of 1832, Georgia distributed gold-producing land previously owned by Cherokees to eligible state residents. Tensions increased between the two groups, and though the Cherokees ultimately won a court case upholding their sovereignty, it did not stop the forced Cherokee Removal of 1838 on the Trail of Tears.
Meanwhile, the booming gold rush towns suffered from a limited circulation of currency, and in 1835, Congress authorized the federal Branch Mint at Dahlonega. The Dahlonega Mint opened in 1838 and produced almost 1.5 million gold coins until closing 31 years later.
The mining industry started to suffer when deposit yields dropped in the early 1840s. The 1848 discovery of gold in California then drove many miners to seek their fortunes out west. Georgia’s gold industry took a further blow during the Civil War, and the Dahlonega Mint closed in 1861.
Although the heyday of Georgia’s Gold Rush has long passed, commercial mining continued into the 20th century, and panning for gold is still popular today.
Historic Gold Sites in North GA
There are many gold-related historical sites throughout the North Georgia mountains.
Chestatee Diving Bell
The 1875 Chestatee River diving bell is a unique example of innovative gold mining methods from almost 150 years ago. Visit this free outdoor exhibit to see this diving bell that was hidden at the bottom of the Chestatee River for over a century.
- Address: 8 Warwick Street, Dahlonega, GA
- Website: lumpkinhistory.org/diving-bell
- TripAdvisor: Chestatee River Diving Bell is rated 4.0 with 75+ reviews
Dahlonega Gold Museum
Visit the Dahlonega Gold Museum for a great introduction to the history of gold in Dahlonega and North Georgia. The museum is located literally in the middle of Dahlonega’s town square in the former Lumpkin County Courthouse. The courthouse was built in 1836 and is one of the oldest courthouse buildings in Georgia.
- Phone: +1 (706) 864-2257
- Address: 1 Public Square, Dahlonega, GA
- Website: gastateparks.org/DahlonegaGoldMuseum
- Facebook: Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site has 1,200+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site is rated 4.5 with 425+ reviews
Historical Markers in North Georgia
As you travel through North Georgia’s gold country, note (or stop at) the numerous gold-related historical markers along the way, including Gold Diggers Road, Findley Ridge, and more.
Gold Attractions in North Georgia
Enjoy a fun family activity and the potential to strike it rich! These local gold panning attractions make it easy to experience the thrill of panning for gold in North Georgia.
Gold Mine Exhibits with Gold Panning Attractions in North GA
These attractions include gold mining exhibits in addition to gold and gem panning.
Consolidated Gold Mine
Consolidated Gold Mine in Dahlonega GA was founded in 1896 and is the largest hard rock gold mine east of the Mississippi. Enjoy mine tours, gold panning, gemstone mining, and gem cutting in this mine that goes 200 feet underground! Watch your guide demonstrate how miners blasted quartz veins to uncover huge deposits of gold at Consolidated Mine, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Phone: +1 (706) 864-8473
- Address: 185 Consolidated Gold Mine Road, Dahlonega, GA
- Website: consolidatedgoldmine.com
- Facebook: Consolidated Gold Mine has 10,000+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Consolidated Gold Mine is rated 4.5 with 1,225+ reviews
- Ranked #1 for Things to Do in Dahlonega
Crisson Gold Mine
Crisson Gold Mine Georgia was established in 1847 as an open-pit gold mine and was in commercial operation until the 1980s. View their antique equipment, including a 130-year-old stamp mill (rock crusher) still used for crushing quartz rock containing gold. For those looking to take their gold panning hobby to the next level, Crisson Gold Mine is the largest dealer of mining equipment in the southeast.
Enjoy gold panning, gem grubbing, wagon rides, and bring lunch to enjoy on their picnic tables. Plus, if you think you may have found gold on your property, bring your own quartz and use the rock crusher to see if you have gold on your own property (inquire about current pricing and availability).
- Phone: +1 (706) 864-6363
- Address: 2736 Morrison Moore Pkwy E, Dahlonega, GA
- Website: crissongoldmine.com
- Facebook: Crisson Gold Mine has 6,200+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Crisson Gold Mine is rated 4.5 with 450+ reviews
Gold Panning Attractions in North GA
These gold panning attractions allow visitors to purchase a pre-filled bucket of gems and gold. Take your bucket to their panning/sifting areas to search for treasures in your bucket.
Aska Mining Company
Aska Mining Company is located on the Toccoa River in Blue Ridge and offers gold panning, gem mining, river floats (Toccoa River tubing), a gift shop, and a café. The veteran-owned business provides a 10% discount for active and retired veterans, law enforcement officers, and first responders.
- Phone: +1 (706) 258-4854
- Address: 8436 Aska Road, Blue Ridge, GA
- Website: askaminingcompany.com
- Facebook: Aska Mining Company has 1,100+ likes
- TripAdvisor: Aska Mining Company is rated 5.0 with 50+ reviews
Dukes Creek Gold & Ruby Mines
Pan for gold and gems at this mine and shop for local treats in the gift shop. Gold comes from nearby Dukes Creek – the site of the first major Gold Rush in the USA.
- Phone: +1 (706) 878-2625
- Address: 6145 GA-75, Sautee Nacoochee, GA
- Website: dukescreek.com
- Facebook: Dukes Creek Gold and Ruby Mines has 1,600+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Dukes Creek Gold & Ruby Mines is rated 4.5 with 125+ reviews
Gold’ n Gem Grubbin’
NOTE: the Mining and Camping location is closed until further notice, but gold buckets and gem bags may still be purchased in their online store.
Gold’ n Gem Grubbin’ was North Georgia’s last commercially operating Gold Mine. Formerly a productive part of the Loud Mine, which supplied $2M of the $7M of minted gold bullion coins at the nearby Dahlonega Mint.
- Phone: +1 (706) 865-5454
- Address: 75 Gold Nugget Lane, Cleveland, GA (currently closed)
- Website: goldngemgrubbin.com
- TripAdvisor: Gold n Gem Grubbin’ is rated 4.0 with 150+ reviews
Outpost Gold and Gem

Outpost Gold and Gem Helen GA
Search for treasure in your choice of buckets of gold, gemstones, and fossils. Shop at the on-site Southwestern outpost and gift shop.
- Phone: +1 (706) 878-5065
- Address: 7901 South Main Street, Helen, GA
- Website: outpostgoldandgems.com
- Facebook: Outpost Gold & Gem Mining Co. has 500+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Outpost Gold and Gem is rated 4.5 with 125+ reviews
Talking Rock General
Enjoy gold panning, gemstone mining, and fossil digs. Gift shop and ice cream on-site.
- Phone: +1 (706) 253-GEMS (4367)
- Address: 5119 Hwy 136 W, Talking Rock, GA
- Website: talkingrockgeneral.com
- Facebook: Talking Rock General has 1,800+ followers
- TripAdvisor: Talking Rock General is rated 4.5 with 5+ reviews
- Ranked #1 for Sights and Landmarks in Talking Rock
Gold Panning in North Georgia
There are many places and ways to find gold in the North Georgia mountains. Find the option that best suits your group’s preferences and head out to strike gold!
Public Gold Prospecting Locations in North GA
Some local prospectors will tell you that there is gold in about every creek and river in North Georgia. Indeed, Georgia’s gold can be found along gold belt deposits in many areas of North Georgia, including:
- Rivers: Chattahoochee River, Chestatee River, Etowah River, Little River, Nacoochee River, Tallapoosa River
- Creeks: Baggs Creek, Calhoun Creek, Canton Creek, Cavender Creek, Coosa Creek, Dukes Creek, James Creek, McClusky Creek, Sixes Creek, Tesnatee Creek, Yahoola Creek, plus many other unnamed creeks and tributaries of the rivers
- Mines: most area mines are no longer commercially mining for gold, but some do offer tours or special dig events
Recreational panning for gold is allowed in stream beds in the National Forests as long as significant stream disturbance does not occur and when only a small hand shovel or trowel and a pan are used.
Note that when panning within the US Forest Service, you may not collect for commercial purposes, and in-stream sluices and suction dredges are not allowed. Visit the US Forest Service website to learn more about gold panning, rockhounding, and fossil collecting in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
To determine whether a stream’s mineral rights are publicly or privately owned or if there are any restrictions, call the Blue Ridge District Ranger at +1 (706) 745-6928 or the Chattooga River District Ranger at +1 (706) 754-6221.
Gold prospecting maps may help save time finding suitable gold panning locations. Learn more about Georgia gold maps from Gold Trek Maps and Gold Maps.
Private Gold Prospecting Locations in North GA
More serious gold hunters should consider joining one of the gold prospecting associations. Membership in these clubs usually includes access to private leased lands where members can search for gold. Visit the websites of Weekend Gold Miners, Gold Prospectors Association of America, or Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association to learn about the unique benefits of membership in these clubs.
Always follow local laws and respect personal property rights. Do not search for gold on private property without explicit permission.
Cabin Rentals Where You Can Pan for Gold
These North Georgia mountain rental properties allow budding prospectors to pan for gold right at home!
Dog-Friendly Renovated Cabin on Chestatee River
The Chestatee River Retreat vacation rental in North Georgia is located directly on the Chestatee River and is large enough to sleep 12 people. Includes several gold pans you can use to pan for gold directly on the property (at least 2 guests have already found gold at the property!). This location near Dahlonega is within 5 miles of local attractions, including a vineyard and zoo.
- Cottage sleeps 12 people in 5 bedrooms / 3.5 bathrooms
- Click here to check current availability and rates
Restored Vintage Farmhouse Cottage on Horse Farm with Creek
The Flying Duck Farmhouse is a restored vintage farmhouse on 160 private acres at the foot of the Three Sisters Mountains. Enjoy a short walk to the large deck overlooking a stream — a perfect spot to pan for gold or have evening cocktails in the hammock or rocking chairs.
The location is less than 4 miles from downtown Dahlonega, near multiple vineyards and local attractions (Consolidated Gold Mine is 3.3 miles away). No smoking, no parties, and no pets are allowed in this North Georgia rental.
- Cottage sleeps 5 people in 2 bedrooms / 1 bathroom
North Georgia Gold Map
Use the interactive map below to find unique gold attractions in the Georgia mountains.
Additional North Georgia Gold Resources
Use these additional resources for gold panning in North Georgia!
- North GA Gold History Books – explore the profound local and national changes resulting from Georgia’s gold rush
- North GA Gold Panning Books – these “how-to” style books provide helpful information for those curious about how to find gold in North Georgia
- Gold Panning Equipment – carry highly rated gold panning equipment to best set yourself up for success (make sure to use approved types of equipment when panning for gold in North Georgia)
- Gold Rush Days
- Join the town of Dahlonega to celebrate the discovery of gold at the annual Gold Rush Days Festival
- The annual festival is held on the 3rd full weekend of October and brings hundreds of vendors to the town square to help celebrate and enjoy the fall colors
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Panning for Gold in North Georgia
What is your favorite place to hunt for gold in North Georgia?
It’s good to know that there are sites where gold panning is allowed as long as there isn’t much river disturbance involved. My niece and nephew had always expressed that they want to go on a camping trip with me and I don’t know yet what fun activities we could do out there. Perhaps I should see if I could buy some gold prospecting materials in case we happen to feel like going some gold panning.
Just make sure to follow local regulations that limit the scale and location of your operations, but yes, gold panning is allowed! Amazon.com has a selection of basic products and gold panning kits that will easily get you started.
This is an interesting history you have narrated here. Its really an interesting site to see how gold is mined. The finished products we see today is a lot different than the way it looks in the rocks. Those guys that came from everywhere to pan for gold did less if it were found in our day. Your interesting history brings me to the story of the blood diamonds story in Sierra Leone.
It will really be fun to pan for gold. I hope they can allow us to do it as tourist? Since we won’t be doing it like the miners did during the gold rush hope there won’t be much restrictions? Thank you so much for sharing. Will check out some of the links you have provided particularly the Gold Panning Instructions.
One needs to be mindful of the enviornment, but it’s nice that recreational gold panning is allowed in most of the National Forests.
I love the story you shared. It piqued my imagination once again of how it looks like just like in the old movies I’ve watched. You know, white Americans trying to make a living or a fortune in newfound gold mines while Cherokee Indians think they have encroached. You know, those wild west movies.
Looking at the chart about gems, I wonder why is gold not included in the list of gems? Isn’t gold a gem?
I’m guessing since gold is a metal that it is not included. The process for finding gems versus metals can be different, but these places in the Georgia mountains should help you learn quite a bit about each one!
Awesome, right up my alley! Glad to hear it’s legal to pan for gold on National Forest land. I just gave my had a big bag of Alaska paydirt for his birthday and we had a blast panning it in the backyard. We are planning some recreational gold panning trips for this Spring as neither of us want to deal with the freezing cold (it’s currently getting down to 15-20 degrees F here in Washington State). Thanks for the very informative post, good stuff man.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the article!
Very interesting topic, would love to do something like that. Love hearing all the background story and how these particular mines came about. I have only heard of the California gold rush, so hearing about an earlier one was great.
A lot of precious ans semi precious stones still available to mine which makes the prospect more interesting. If I didn’t live in the UK I would be bringing the family to have a go. They would love it.
Sharing for others to enjoy.
Thanks Linda, there is a lot to learn and explore in this little part of the world! I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks so much for the share!!
Hello; Mining for Gold in these areas back then was a fortune oriented venture I believe; however mining now would be finding fun through history.
As much as I would want to visit these attractions for family fun, I do believe that for anyone to pan for gold and really find gold it would have to be a miracle.
DorcasW
Hi Dorcas, I’ve been to the Crisson Mine and believe it or not, everyone leaves with a little bit of gold! It’s usually not anything that will make you rich though… the flakes are about the size of what you find in a bottle of Goldschlager.
The gems that you get are really pretty though… again, you are not likely to make a fortune, but there are really pretty gems that come with the joy of the hunt for them. I hope you get a chance to check it out!
I know this is an older thread but I feel compelled to correct you Dorcas. There is gold to be found in almost every creek and river in North Georgia!! I am an avid gold prospector and have made quite a bit of extra money from the gold I have found over the years from numerous creeks and I am not talking about the “pay for gold dirt in a bag”..……..
So….. To get to the point, finding gold in Georgia is not a “miracle” as you stated. The yellow stuff is here, always has been, and always will. This is a very good article and very informative. I hope you try out gold prospecting in Georgia if you can. Sincerely.
-Jeff
Hi there!!
This can be a notice for the gold miners. As because you mentioned very well the places of gold mine. Gold miners will love to travel their for sure. 100 years of undermined golds will be a treasure for them. The Cherokee nation did the job. You have written their story so nicely with all the necessary information. So this is an informative article as well.
The area was certainly transformed by the discovery of gold, although today that industry is more of a footnote than something that attracts gold prospectors. It is interesting history, and enjoyable to visit the old mines that allow you to learn more about the panning processes.
I am so glad I ran across your site! I was just browsing through and am very interested in one of the cabin rentals you suggested and was thinking on activities the whole family could do together in the area when I ran across this article 🙂
Panning for gold and gems sounds like an excellent idea and I know my 3 boys would absolutely love it! I’m quite sure it would turn into a competition to see who could come up with the most treasures hah! This would be a great learning activity for them as well. Do you have any information on what the charge is for panning? Thanks again!
Hi Shannon, There are different ticket packages available depending on your interests. Most places will offer buckets of different sizes — it’s great fun to get a bucket or 2 per family and roll up your sleeves to hunt for treasure!
Crisson Mine may have the lowest price per person (currently $11 for a tour plus pan and bucket containing treasures), but each place is a little different so you may want to explore them all to find the best one for your family. Enjoy!
Great family activity ! Is the activity free ? you might want to specify the cost (if there are any)
If you find gold or anything else can you keep it ? It isn’t exactly very clear if you can keep the treasures found or not, it may be I that didn’t understand it but I just wanted to make sure.
When you say gems, what types of gems do you talk about ? sapphire, ruby ? …
But overall I find the topic very interesting, I would have loved doing such an activity with my family
Hi, there is no charge to find a stream and pan for gold, but the attractions and exhibits are not free. The gem mining and gold panning activities do allow you to keep whatever you find. They usually have a hall of fame out front to showcase some of the most impressive hauls. The gems do include sapphires, rubies, and many others. Visit this page for a PDF of an ID chart of some of the treasures that you may find.