Cody Casey
Gold panning is a popular activity in Yukon, Canada, with many tourists visiting the region to try their luck at finding gold. While gold panning is permitted in certain areas of Yukon, it is important to be aware of the rules and regulations to avoid trespassing on claimed land. There are secret and not-so-secret spots in Yukon where recreational panning is allowed and even encouraged. These areas include creek benches, old tailing piles from past mining, and placer claim areas in historic districts like the Klondike and other goldfields. Tour operators in the region offer gold panning experiences, providing visitors with the necessary equipment and instructions. Gold panning is typically done in icy cold mountain streams, and proper gear, such as waterproof boots and warm socks, is essential for a comfortable experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gold panning process | Fill the pan with gravel, remove large rocks, break up clumps of clay, submerge the pan in water, swirl the pan vigorously, tip the pan at an angle to wash away gravel, rinse and repeat |
| Gold panning tools | Gold pan (metal or plastic), shovel or trowel, tweezers, snuffler bottle, glass vial |
| Gold panning locations in Yukon | Dawson City, Bonanza Creek, Goldbottom Mine Tours, Klondike, Fortymile, Mayo, Hunker Creek, Gold Bottom mining camp |
| Gold panning tours | Some tour operators in Yukon offer gold panning to the public, including Goldbottom Mine Tours |
| Gold panning regulations | Panning is allowed on public (Crown) land that has not been staked by someone else. Contact the local Mining Recorder's Office for information on where recreational gold panning is permitted |
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What You'll Learn
Gold panning tours and training
Gold panning is done in icy cold mountain streams, so keeping your feet warm and dry is a must. You can choose between a metal or plastic pan. Plastic pans are more popular as they don't rust or corrode, but metal pans are the way to go if you want to feel like an old-timey prospector. You can purchase gold pans at Canadian Tire in Whitehorse, Home Hardware, Gold Bottom Mine Tours, the Dawson Trading Post, or Claim 33 in Dawson City.
Some of Yukon's tour operators offer gold panning to the public. You can visit your local Visitor Information Centre for more information on tour operators and attractions in your area. One such tour is the Yukon Gold Experience by EPIC NORTH Tour Experiences. This half-day trip takes you through the world's smallest desert, Southern Lakes, White Pass, and Alaska. You will also get to pan for gold and learn about the history of the Klondike Gold Rush.
If you're looking for a place to learn how to pan, there are several local providers in Dawson City that offer training. Claim 33, located at km 13 on Bonanza Creek Road, offers training and demonstrations on panning techniques. Just up the road is the Klondike Visitors Association's Free Claim No. 6, where you can pan for free within the claim boundaries. Bring your own tools and stay within the designated area. Goldbottom Mine Tours offers daily trips to their active mine at the junction of Hunker and Goldbottom Creeks.
When panning for gold, remember that gold is heavy and won't be floating on the river's surface. It's likely to settle where the water slows down, such as the inside of river bends, under big rocks, or inside crevasses. Gold panning is a process of separation, and you'll need to develop your own technique to separate the gold flakes from everything else. Remember to fill your pan with gravel, remove large rocks, and break up any clumps of clay. Submerge the pan in the water and agitate the gravel with a vigorous side-to-side or circular motion. The gold will settle at the bottom of the pan. Tip the pan away from your body at a slight angle to wash away the top layer of gravel. Repeat this process until you are left with only black sand and gold flakes or nuggets. Use tweezers to pick out the gold and a snuffler bottle to suck up any remaining fine gold.
In the Yukon, most rich gold areas have been claimed by prospectors or mining companies. However, there are secret and not-so-secret spots where recreational panning is allowed and even encouraged. Public (Crown) land is open for recreational gold panning as long as it is not already claimed or off-limits. You can contact the local Mining Recorder's Office or Visitor Centre to inquire about where recreational panning is permitted.
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Gold panning equipment
Gold panning is a simple and beginner-friendly way to find gold. All the gear you need fits in a backpack and can be purchased at Canadian Tire in Whitehorse or at Home Hardware, Gold Bottom Mine Tours, the Dawson Trading Post, or Claim 33 in Dawson City. A gold pan, classifier, and a small shovel are all you need to get started.
There are two types of gold pans to choose from: metal or plastic. Metal pans, specifically steel pans, will make you feel like an old-timey prospector, but plastic pans are more popular as they don't rust or corrode. Coloured pans (typically green, red, or black) provide enough contrast for you to quickly identify the gold at the bottom of your pan. The riffles moulded into the sidewalls of most pans act as tiny gold traps.
In addition to a pan and a shovel, there are a few other optional tools that can come in handy: a trowel for digging, tweezers for picking up gold flakes, a snuffler bottle for sucking them up, and a glass vial for storing your gold. You can also buy more advanced gold prospecting equipment, such as a sluice box or a concentrator vortex dream mat insert.
Gold panning is done in the water, usually in icy mountain streams, so it's important to keep your feet warm and dry with waterproof boots and warm socks. Gold is heavy, so it won't be floating on the river's surface. It's likely to settle where the water slows down, such as the inside of river bends, under big rocks, or inside crevasses.
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Gold panning techniques
Gold panning is a simple process but it is difficult to master. It is a process of separation—you separate the gold from everything that isn't gold. The basic technique is as follows:
First, fill your pan with gravel from a gold-bearing area, such as creek benches, old tailing piles, or placer claim areas. Remove large rocks by hand, taking care to rinse them with water to dislodge any gold. Break up any clumps of clay and knead the material until the clay dissolves and floats away. Submerge the pan in water, resting it on the bottom of a shallow pool or tub. Agitate the gravel by swirling the pan with a vigorous side-to-side or circular motion. The gold will settle at the bottom of the pan.
Next, tip the pan away from your body at a slight angle to wash away the top layer of gravel. With any luck, you will see gold at the bottom of your pan. Rinse and repeat this process until all you have left is a small amount of black sand. Pick out any gold flakes or nuggets with tweezers or a snuffler bottle and store them in a glass vial.
There are a few things to keep in mind when gold panning. Gold is heavy, so it won't be found floating on the river's surface. Instead, look for it where the water slows down, such as the inside of river bends, under big rocks, or inside crevasses. It's also important to keep your feet warm and dry when panning, as it is usually done in icy cold mountain streams.
In terms of equipment, a standard gold pan is made of stiff sheet iron and is 16 inches in diameter at the top and 2½ inches deep. Smaller pans, typically 10 or 12 inches, are also used for testing and are easier to handle. Coloured pans (green, red, or black) provide good contrast for spotting gold, and riffles moulded into the side walls act as gold traps. While metal pans can make you feel like an old-timey prospector, plastic pans are more popular as they don't rust or corrode. In addition to a pan, you will need waterproof boots, warm socks, a shovel or trowel for digging, and a glass vial for storing your gold.
Gold panning is permitted in certain areas of Yukon, including some public (Crown) land and areas offered by tour operators. However, it is important to respect the claims of prospectors and mining companies and to follow any local rules and regulations.
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Where to pan for gold in Yukon
Gold panning is a simple and beginner-friendly way to mine placer gold. It is a cheap and portable process, as all the gear fits in a backpack. Gold panning can be done almost anywhere in Yukon, without the need for heavy equipment or permits for basic hand panning. However, it is important to note that panning on an active claim without permission is illegal.
There are several places in Yukon where recreational panning is allowed and even encouraged. For instance, there is public (Crown) land open for recreational gold panning, as long as it is not already claimed or otherwise off-limits. The Yukon Government's online map viewer (YG Map) can be used to find areas without active claims.
In addition, some local clubs or forums, such as Yukon Gold Mining on Facebook, share information about creeks open for casual panning. It is also possible to contact the Mining Recorder's Office to ask about areas where recreational panning is permitted.
In Dawson City, Claim 33 offers training on how to pan, and Klondike Visitors Association's Free Claim No. 6 allows people to pan for free. Goldbottom Mine Tours also offers daily trips to their active mine, where visitors can try gold panning.
When panning for gold, it is important to wear waterproof boots and warm socks, as it is usually done in icy cold mountain streams. Plastic pans are recommended over metal pans as they do not rust or corrode. Coloured pans, typically green, red, or black, can help to identify gold at the bottom of the pan.
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Gold panning regulations
Gold panning is a regulated activity in Yukon, and there are a few important guidelines to follow. Firstly, it is essential to understand the concept of staking a claim. In Yukon, most rich gold areas have already been claimed by prospectors or mining companies, who have exclusive mineral rights over these areas. Therefore, if you wish to pan for gold independently, you must first contact the nearest Mining Recorder's Office to enquire about where recreational gold panning is permitted.
There are, however, some public spots that are open for gold panning. For instance, the Klondike Visitors Association's Free Claim No. 6 on Bonanza Creek does not require a fee or permit, as long as you bring your own tools and stay within the designated boundaries. Another option is Claim 33, a family-run demonstration site on the same creek, where you can receive training on gold panning for a small fee.
It is important to remember that gold panning is only permitted on unclaimed Crown land with hand tools. If you wish to pan on someone else's claim, you must obtain their permission first. Additionally, historical and prehistoric artefacts are protected, so any discoveries must be reported to the Cultural Services Branch.
Furthermore, gold panning is typically done in icy mountain streams, so it is crucial to wear appropriate footwear to keep your feet warm and dry.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can pan for gold almost anywhere in Yukon. However, there are certain places where it is encouraged, such as creek benches, old tailing piles from past mining, and placer claim areas in historic districts like Klondike. You can also join a gold panning tour.
No, you do not need a permit for basic hand panning. However, you need to be careful not to pan on an active claim as it is illegal and could get you in trouble.
Gold is likely to settle where the water slows down, such as the inside of river bends. It also collects under big rocks or inside crevasses.
You will need a gold pan, which can be metal or plastic. Coloured pans (typically green, red or black) provide enough contrast to identify gold easily. You will also need waterproof boots and warm socks.
Yes, there are several gold panning tours in Yukon, such as the Gold Bottom mining camp and Goldbottom Mine Tours. These tours offer an authentic gold panning experience and the opportunity to tour an active mine.
