Virginia was one of the richest gold mining states in the Appalachians. In fact, prior to the California Gold Rush it garnered more interest than just about anywhere in the USA. While most of the gold found in Virginia was from hard rock mines, small bits of raw gold does accumulate in the river beds too, which can be recovered with a gold pan.
Here are 7 rivers in Virginia known to contain gold and are still producing even today.
1. Dan River
There is decent gold in the Dan River in both Floyd and Patrick Counties. Several rich clusters of mines are also located in Fluvanna and Goochland Counties. These were predominantly hard rock mines, but the gold that erodes from the rock finds its way into the river.
2. Willis River
An old report from the Virginia Division of Natural Resources mentions discovery of several 1-ounce gold nuggets coming from Tongue Quartz Creek, one of the tributaries of the Willis River. Other large gold in quartz has been found in this area including a 9-pound chunk of gold in quartz!
3. Rapidan River
There are many creeks on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains that are good for gold panning. The Rapidan River is one major waterway where gold can be found. The hills around here were mined extensively back in the 1800’s.
Of particular note is Culpeper County, which has many old abandoned mines and prospects. The Culpeper Mine is about 3 miles west of Wilderness.
This map shows the abundant mines that were once active in the Rapidan and Rappahannock River Valleys.
4. Rappahannock River
This is another gold-bearing river worth checking out. Most gold is fine textured so use careful panning technique to sift the gravels in search of those elusive specks of gold.
The Franklin Mine is situated just east of Morrisville. It was one of Virginia’s richest gold mines, and the region is drained by many small creeks that flow into the Rappahannock River.
The area north of Richardville is also known to have gold in some of the smaller tributaries draining into the Rappahannock River as well. Bring a pan with you in your travels and take some sample pans at various locations in the area.
One of the first references to gold in America was by Thomas Jefferson, who wrote of a 4-pound rock containing just under 1 ounce of gold. It was found on the Rappahannock River about 4 miles below the falls.
Virginia would eventually be credited with approximately 170,000 ounces of gold production. The actual amount was likely much higher than this, as much of the finds were not recorded in those early days. Mining primarily took place in decade prior to the gold strikes in California.
5. James River
This is a major river that flows through Virginia and has historically had lots of mining activity. A place known as the Carolina Slate Belt – a rich gold-bearing region that runs in a line through the entire state of Virginia – is the source of the gold found in the James. Cumberland County is one of the best areas, but gold can be found in other places too if you get out and prospect!
Also Read: Historic Mining Towns of the Georgia Gold Rush
6. Potomac River
Quantico Creek is one of the richer creeks that flows into the Potomac River, feeding the placer gold deposits. Major mines near the river include the Bull Neck Mine, Cabin Branch Mine and the Crawford Mine. Neabsco Creek is another tributary to the Potomac that is very rich.
7. Shenandoah River
Small amounts of very fine gold can be panned throughout the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah. Research areas where the old gold mines were located and pan stretches of the river that are nearby. You’ve got a good chance of finding a bit of “color.”
Gold from Virginia can be quite large and coarse. While fine gold dust is most common, it isn’t unheard of to find nice pickers and nuggets too.
Focusing time and effort around the known gold-bearing creeks and rivers is critical to ongoing success as a gold prospector. Basically all of the old mines in Virginia are now abandoned and long forgotten, but research can help you find these areas that can still produce gold today.
Learn more about the gold discoveries on the East Coast below:
Eureka! Big Gold Nuggets Found in North CarolinaNatural Gold Occurrences in Maryland8 Best States to go Gold Panning on the East CoastProspecting for Gold in PennsylvaniaHistoric Mining Towns of the Georgia Gold RushFAQs
Byrd Creek and its tributaries in Fluvanna and Goochland counties are popular choices as are Mine Run and Wilderness Run in Orange County, Big Mountain Branch in Halifax County, and Gold Mine Branch and Tongue Quarter Creek in Buckingham County.
What rivers still have gold in them? ›
Towns like Columbia, Sonora, and Placerville, once bustling with miners, maintain their 19th-century charm. Some offer gold panning adventures to tourists and enthusiasts. The region's rivers, including the American, Yuba, and Feather, continue to yield gold for those patient and skilled enough to search.
Where can I legally pan for gold in Virginia? ›
The only known gold producing areas on public lands are in the Buckingham / Appomatox State Forest. There are numerous mines and probable placer locations in washes in the area which extends in a NE to SW line along the west side of US 15 through Sprouse's Corner & US 60 and into the State Forest.
How much gold is left in Virginia? ›
There is still gold in Virginia. By one geological estimate, there may be as much as 378,000 troy ounces remaining in lode deposits and 274,000 remaining in placer deposits. However, that gold is not concentrated sufficiently enough in any one location to justify the cost of opening a mine and processing the ore.
What river always has gold? ›
Along the American River in California
For decades, 49ers panned and mined along the river, collectively finding over 750,000 pounds of gold. Even though the gold rush has slowed since its peak in the 19th century, prospectors still find gold nuggets in the American River.
How do you know if a river has gold? ›
Water is slowed down by sand bars so gold tends to drop out and build up there. You want to look for signs of gold like black sands, pyrite and small quartz, as these are all usually good indicators of gold being in the area.
Can you keep gold you find? ›
The rules do vary depending on where in the states you are planning to search for gold but, largely, as long as the use is recreational and you're not using any sluices or high-powered tools, any gold findings should be yours to keep.
What state is the easiest to find gold? ›
Nevada. Currently the top gold mining state of the US, Nevada is home to three of the world's top 10 gold mines and seven of the top 10 US sites. Nevada's Goldstrike is the top gold mine in the US, followed by the Cortez and Carlin Gold Mines, with all three located in north-central Nevada.
Where is gold most likely to be found? ›
Gold is primarily found as the pure, native metal. Sylvanite and calaverite are gold-bearing minerals. Gold is usually found embedded in quartz veins, or placer stream gravel. It is mined in South Africa, the USA (Nevada, Alaska), Russia, Australia and Canada.
Are there abandoned gold mines in Virginia? ›
Hundreds of abandoned gold mines can be found in Virginia's Gold-Pyrite Belt and beyond – meaning unknown toxic legacies exist from Halifax to Fairfax. These mines existed prior to Virginia's modern environmental laws and regulations, and most have not been properly assessed or remediated.
Gold has many applications, including in photography, dentistry, electronics, plating, jewelry, currency, and as an international monetary standard. Gold was mined extensively in Virginia from the early 1800s until the peak of gold production in 1849.
Can you pan for gold in any creek? ›
While gold can be found in any river or creek, some locations are more promising. Gold-bearing rivers are often found in areas with a history of gold mining. Some of the best locations in the United States include: The American River, California: Known for the 1848 gold discovery that sparked the California Gold Rush.
Can you find gold in creeks in Virginia? ›
Unlike many of the Western states that are flowing with massive rivers, Virginia is home to small rivers and creeks that consist primarily of slow flowing water. As a result, most of the gold is found in bedrock and pay layers.
Are there diamonds in Virginia? ›
However, it is assumed that the placer or gravel deposits were deposited by streams that drain regions where diamond-bearing rocks occur. DIAMONDS IN VIRGINIA There are five sites in or near Virginia where diamonds are reported to have been found. One peridotite site and one kimberlite site are shown on Figure 2.
How much is 1 ounce of find gold worth today? ›
How can you tell if gold is in a creek? ›
What does gold look like in a creek? Gold can often be found in a creek as small nuggets or flakes mixed in with sand and gravel. Gold has a characteristic yellow color and is heavier than the surrounding rocks and sand, which can help identify it.
Is there gold in the Virginia Appalachian Mountains? ›
In most places, the amount of gold to be found is small. It is insignificant. In the 19th Century, there was gold mining in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Is there gold in Silver Creek? ›
The Utah Geological Survey estimates that from 1869 until the last mine closed in 1982, miners pulled over 8,500 tons of silver from the ground here, as well as 40 tons of gold, 60,000 tons of copper, 700,000 tons of zinc, and 1,300,000 tons of lead.
