Where to find gold in Alabama
Good news: there's still gold to find in Alabama. We've mapped 8 places where gold has been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 8 of them have no active mining claim: grab your pan and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission.
Alabama had a gold rush before California did. In the 1830s and 1840s miners poured into the hills of the east-central part of the state, and towns like Arbacoochee boomed, until most of the miners left for California in 1849. The gold belt runs northeast to southwest through Cleburne, Randolph, Clay, Tallapoosa and Coosa counties. Expect fine gold and small flakes, so bring a good pan and a snuffer bottle. Much of the old mining ground is private today, which makes the creeks of the Talladega National Forest your best bet on public land.
See all 8 spots on the Alabama map
How to read the map
- Green: public land, no active claim. Go ahead with your pan and hand tools, no permission needed.
Many recorded sites are old mines. Shafts, tunnels and bad air can kill: never go inside. Prospect in the creek and on the surface, and use common sense out there. See our terms.
Easy places to start in Alabama
These places welcome visitors. A great way to start, especially if it's your first time.
- Alabama Gold Camp · Fee dig · Cragford
Join a gold prospecting club in Alabama
Clubs are the best shortcut: members share their know-how and their favorite spots, and many organize trips or have their own claims you can work once you join.
- GPAA North Alabama Chapter · Club with its own claims · Cragford
Questions we often get
Where can I go gold prospecting in Alabama?
The easiest way to start is a place that welcomes visitors, like Alabama Gold Camp. On the map you'll find 8 spots on public land with no active mining claim, where you can go with hand tools without asking anyone.
Are the gold sites in Alabama under mining claims?
No. Every one of the 8 gold sites we map in Alabama is on public land open to prospecting, with no active mining claim. You can go with hand tools, no permission needed.
Are there gold prospecting clubs in Alabama?
Yes: GPAA North Alabama Chapter. Joining a club is the fastest way to learn.