Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Public area set aside for recreational collecting
Native material: you search the natural ground on site.
The spot where James Marshall found gold in January 1848 and started the California Gold Rush. Besides the panning lessons in troughs, the park lets visitors pan in the South Fork American River itself, on the east side of the river, during park hours: a chance to swirl a pan a few steps from where it all began. The pin is approximate: the panning beach is on the east bank near the discovery site.
Make a weekend of it
827 gold spots on open public land with no claim on record, within 50 miles.
There are more on the map, some of them with a possible mining claim.
Clubs and places nearby
- South Fork American River at Greenwood Creek (BLM)Free public dig · 4 mi
- Gold Country Treasure Seekers (Placerville)Club · 6 mi
- El Dorado County Mineral & Gem SocietyClub · 8 mi
- Auburn State Recreation Area (American River)Free public dig · 11 mi
- River City Prospectors (GPAA Sacramento)Club · 21 mi
- Roseville Rock RollersClub · 22 mi
Access
Coloma, on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn. Park in the state park lots and walk to the east bank of the South Fork American River, near the gold discovery site. A park entrance fee applies.
Technique
Hands and gold pan only: no other mining equipment, to protect the historic park. Pan the gravel at the water's edge and leave rocks in place. Personal use only.