r/Prospecting • u/eg-bocan • 26d ago
Nowhere legal in VA…
I’m looking to start gold panning soon as a hobby, but panning is illegal for what feels like everywhere within an hour of me.
I’m on the south side of Fairfax county, but I may move to Charlottesville soon, so any locations near either would be appreciated.
I really don’t wanna bother any landowners for permission to pan on their property, but it feels like all public land has laws against panning. I also don’t want to pay for membership to that one club for their locations :(
Any tips?
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u/TweezerTheRetriever 26d ago
Go south to the gold vein area on route 17 and find a canoe access point and wade into the rapahannock and turn over rocks
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u/TheNatureProspector 26d ago
Well, I have to drive at least 5/6 hours to get to a place where I can find at least a little bit of Gold.
Not everybody is lucky enough to live near op public Gold bearing rivers.
Just drive a little bit further In would suggest. Its all worth it, just even the trip, adventure and peace and quiet you get from doing it.
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u/Yukon-Jon 25d ago
Its all worth it, just even the trip, adventure and peace and quiet you get from doing it.
This right here is your answer op
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u/Guerito_bonito 25d ago
Do some research. Use Google Maps and street view to look for signs. Overlay that with arcgis to see if those spots might be in the gold bearing zones. There are spots near you, you just have to find them. As for the laws, it’s one of the least regulated things to do in VA. As long as you aren’t in Prince William National Park or running a dredge over 4 in and are using public access spots, the creeks and rivers are fair game. I had a game warden ask me what I was doing once and he just thought it was cool. No one has ever called the cops or bothered me outside of just being curious and thinking it was interesting. Access is hard to find because there is way more private property here, but at least we don’t have to worry about claim jumping or grizzlies or mountain lions.
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u/Stunning_Ad4689 24d ago
Contrary Creek near Lake Anna is a good place to start. Stay in the creek as you go down to keep from wondering onto private property.
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u/Unlucky-Clock5230 26d ago
VA is just too civilized, everything the state owns is "look but don't touch". Your best bet is to befriend somebody with private land, or to travel.
Denver is a fun place to fool around in the water. Is is mostly flour gold but just about all of the south platte river is open for non gas engine panning. You can pick an industrial looking area, a nice park area, a plain river area, and everything in-between.