The document discusses the historical significance of gold panning in Colorado, highlighting its role in the state's development during the Colorado Gold Rush. It provides information on various gold panning locations, including Clear Creek Canyon, Arapahoe Bar, and Cherry Creek, detailing the best times to visit each site and the conditions for panning. Additionally, it emphasizes the recreational aspect of gold panning as an exciting experience for residents and visitors alike.

1. Gold Panning in Colorado
By Matt Metcalf, Denver Luxury Homes Realtor

2. Colorado will not be what it is today if not for all the gold that
was found in the state during what was considered the largest
gold rush in American history: the Colorado Gold Rush or the
Pike’s Peak Gold Rush.
The gold rush became the start of the gold
prospecting and mining industry in Colorado, and was also
responsible for the establishment of many current cities and
towns in the state, including Denver, Boulder, Black Hawk,
Breckenridge, and Central City.

3. For those who want to experience gold panning in Colorado
just like what the pioneer gold prospectors did to look for
gold in the Rocky Mountains, here are 10 out of almost a
hundred places in the state where you can do it mostly for
free.

4. Clear Creek Canyon
Open Space
Owned and operated by the Jefferson County Open Space, the Clear Creek Canyon Open Space or Clear
Creek gold panning area provides almost 10 miles of gold-bearing waters to the public.
It is located west of the former gold rush town Golden City, at the edge of Metro Denver. Gold panning in
Clear Creek, Colorado is best done during late during spring through fall.
Image source: https://www.jeffco.us/

5. Arapahoe Bar
Located in Wheat Ridge west of Metro Denver, Arapahoe Bar is a free
gold prospecting park within the stretch of Clear Creek.
People should be careful doing gold panning in Arapahoe Bar during
spring because the water goes up to several feet high. The best time
to visit the park is winter when the waters are low.
Image source: https://findinggoldincolorado.com/

6. Cache Creek
Prospecting Site
The Cache Creek Prospecting Site, located two miles west of the town
Granite, has 25-acre area for recreational gold prospecting that is
open to the public. The management also allows dispersed camping
on the area for up to 14 days.
Generally, the stream flows high in the spring and drop during the
summer. Fall is also a good time to do gold panning in Cache Creek.
Image source: http://www.billandlindaprospecting.com/

7. Steele Street
Open Space Park
Steele Street Open Space Park, also known as the Big Bend, is part of the Adams County Open Space Parks
which also includes the Clear Creek. It has plenty of gold which are pretty small, like the usual in Colorado.
Gold panning in the area can be done year-round, but it is best to avoid the high waters during spring
runoff months.
Image source: https://findinggoldincolorado.com/

8. Point Barr Public Area
Most of the areas in the Arkansas River are either private or claimed
which makes gold panning almost impossible there, but the Point Barr
Public Area on the north part of the river is open for everyone. Gold
panning in the area is best done during late summer when the waters
are at lowest.
Four-by-four vehicles are always recommended, and high clearance is
always required because the access to the area can be tricky.

9. Rattlesnake Gulch
Rattlesnake Gulch in the Gunnison River used to be a popular spot for
recreational gold prospecting, but due to the big holes on the area
that were dug up on dry land, restrictions on what can be done in the
area increased greatly.
Fortunately, gold panning is still allowed in the area as long as people
use hand tools only.
Image source: http://stanstravelogues.blogspot.com/

10. Cherry Creek Public Area
One can also find gold in the residential and shopping district of
Cherry Creek which is also one of the first places the early prospectors
found gold in Colorado. Additionally, it is one of the more challenging
spots for gold panning in the state because of the extensive
development in the area.
Best time for gold panning in Cherry Creek is during late summer for
lower waters and midwinter for cleaner waters.

11. Grant Frontier Park
Despite the developments in the area, the Grant Frontier Park in
Central Denver still got some good gold just upstream the area of the
recently made manicured faux stream.
The Grand Frontier Park was also one most popular gold prospecting
locations in Colorado since the beginning of prospectors coming into
the west for gold.
Image source: https://findinggoldincolorado.com/

12. Fairplay Prospecting Park
The historic gold town of Fairplay in Park County has a prospecting
park and gold panning area with about half mile of waterway, along
the middle fork of the South Platte River.
However, it is not a free public gold panning site in Colorado. It
charges $10 a day or $100 a year for the permit to pan and sluice in
the creek and tailings.

13. Phoenix Gold Mine
Gold panning can also be done in Colorado’s famous historical mining
district of Trail Creek, Phoenix Gold Mine, after the tour of the
underground mine world.
For a fee of $8 each person, one is given a pan, receive lessons on
how to pan, and will be allowed to try it by themselves. Moreover,
one is also allowed to keep the gold they can find.
Image source: https://www.yelp.com/

14. Gold panning in Colorado is a must-
experience activity especially to
those who just recently bought
Denver luxury homes and moved into
the city.
It can be an enjoyable and exciting
recreational activity for people of
any age, and can also be a unique
way to explore and experience
Colorado.

15. Mile High Home Pro: Best of Denver Homes & Real Estate
1407 Larimer St #200
Denver, CO 80202
+1 720-260-0180