Where to find gold in Minnesota
Good news: there's still gold to find in Minnesota. We've mapped 4 places where gold has been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 4 of them have no active mining claim: grab your pan and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission.
See all 4 spots on the Minnesota 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.
Questions we often get
Where can I go gold prospecting in Minnesota?
We haven't found a place in Minnesota set up for visitors yet, but there's still plenty to explore on your own. On the map you'll find 4 spots on public land with no active mining claim, where you can go with hand tools without asking anyone.
Are the gold sites in Minnesota under mining claims?
No. Every one of the 4 gold sites we map in Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
We haven't listed one in Minnesota yet. Check back soon: we're adding clubs state by state.