Where You Can Legally Pan for Gold: Recreational Areas by State
Public and recreational gold panning areas by state, with the tool limits, permits and closed areas set by the BLM, the Forest Service and state agencies.
Field craft / equipment / small discoveries
Good ground.
A little curiosity.
Tools worth understanding
Best Sluice Boxes for Beginners (and How to Set One Up)
Five maker-documented sluice boxes for beginners, from backpack and pocket sluices to a full-size hand sluice, with setup angles, cleanup steps and state rules to check.
Best Gold Panning Kits and Pans for Beginners
Five maker-documented gold panning kits and pans for beginners, compared by pan size, riffle design and what is included, with sourced tips on choosing.
What changes between kits?
Garrett Pro-Pointer AT vs Minelab PRO-FIND 40: Which Pinpointer Fits Your Hunt?
Garrett Pro-Pointer AT vs Minelab PRO-FIND 40 compared on waterproofing, sensitivity, iron ID, retune, battery and price, using manufacturer specifications.
Wet vs Dry Sand Metal Detecting: Settings and Recovery
Compare wet and dry sand detecting by ground response, stability and recovery conditions. Separate wet salt from ordinary damp inland ground.