Where to find gold in North Carolina
Good news: there's still gold to find in North Carolina. We've mapped 14 places where gold has been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 14 of them have no active mining claim: grab your pan and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission.
See all 14 spots on the North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
We haven't found a place in North Carolina set up for visitors yet, but there's still plenty to explore on your own. On the map you'll find 14 spots on public land with no active mining claim, where you can go with hand tools without asking anyone.
Are the gold sites in North Carolina under mining claims?
No. Every one of the 14 gold sites we map in North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
We haven't listed one in North Carolina yet. Check back soon: we're adding clubs state by state.