Marianne Martinez
The Smoky Mountains in North Carolina have a rich history of gold mining and are known for their potential to yield precious stones. While most of the land in the Smoky Mountains is privately owned, there are still some areas where you can pan for gold with a permit and a map. The Little Pigeon River in Gatlinburg and the Little River in Townsend are known to have gold deposits. Additionally, the Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine in Cherokee, NC, offers a fun experience for those interested in learning how to pan for gold and finding some treasures of their own.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gold panning locations in the Smoky Mountains | Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine in Cherokee, NC; Chilhowee Mountains; Coker Creek off Tellico River; Little Pigeon River in Gatlinburg; Little River in Townsend; Greenbrier Campground |
| Gold panning legality in the Smoky Mountains | Gold panning is illegal in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the National Forests to the south of Lake Fontana, it is up to the Forest Supervisor whether gold panning is allowed. |
| Legends about gold in the Smoky Mountains | The story of Perry Shults, a blacksmith who struck gold in upper Greenbrier Cove near Webb Creek in the mid-1800s and obtained a charter to mine in the area, including Greenbrier Pinnacle and the nearby mountains. However, the charter only mentioned silver, lead, copper, and zinc, not gold. Shults was also allegedly involved in counterfeiting coins using gold nuggets. |
| Cost of gold panning | Gold panning is pricey compared to gem mining. |
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What You'll Learn
Gold panning in the Smoky Mountains is illegal
The Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine in Cherokee, North Carolina, offers gold panning experiences. Here, you can learn how to pan for gold and take home any gold or gems you find. This is a great option for families, as it is an educational and hands-on activity. However, this is not within the Smoky Mountains themselves.
Gold panning is also available at the Mine Shop in Dollywood, where you can purchase bags of gemstones and pan for gold. This is a fun activity for children, but it is not located in the Smoky Mountains.
The Greenbrier area of the Smoky Mountains is known for its history of gold mining. Before the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a blacksmith named Perry Shults obtained a charter to mine in the area. However, this charter was only for silver, lead, copper, and zinc mining, with no mention of gold. Shults was also a counterfeiter, using his access to a forge to melt gold nuggets for coins. To this day, no one has been able to find Shults's legendary gold mine or confirm that it ever existed.
While gold panning is not permitted in the Smoky Mountains, there are other family-friendly activities available, such as horseback riding, ziplining, hiking, and biking. Visitors can also go gem mining in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, where they can find rubies, sapphires, topaz, emeralds, and more.
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Private lands in the eastern National Forests
The eastern National Forests are private lands, with the government purchasing mineral ownership rights from private owners. The Forest Service has jurisdiction over these limited areas, and it is up to the Forest Supervisor whether prospecting is allowed. To that end, only a small area of the Uwharrie Forest in North Carolina is open to gold prospecting.
There are other private lands inside the boundary of a national forest, known as inholdings. These lands are not available for sale and have been in private ownership for generations before the designation of the forest area.
In the Smoky Mountains, there are private lands south of Lake Fontana where gold can be found in the creeks. The Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine in Cherokee, North Carolina, is a tourist attraction where visitors can learn to pan for gold and keep their findings.
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The Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine in Cherokee, NC
Gold panning is a pricey activity that requires a lot of patience. However, if you are looking for a place to pan for gold in the Smoky Mountains, the Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine in Cherokee, NC, is the place to go. It is Cherokee's first, largest, and finest gem mine, where you can find emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, garnets, topaz, and more. The mine provides all the necessary equipment, and there is no admission fee. You can also get your jewellery made at the mine and purchase gift packs.
The Cherokee Ruby Mine is a "placer" gem mine, meaning it contains ancient sand, dirt, and gravel left behind by ancient glaciers, rivers, and other flowing waters. These deposits contain precious gems and other semi-precious gems and minerals. The mine is located in the Cowee Valley gemstone locality of Western North Carolina, near the town of Franklin, NC. This area is known for producing world-class and valuable gemstones, including rubies and sapphires.
The mine is committed to providing only native Cowee Valley North Carolina gems and minerals and does not offer "salted", "enhanced", "concentrated", or "enriched" gemstone ore. Their two-gallon buckets contain a variety of naturally occurring gemstones, including rubies, sapphires, garnets, quartz crystals, and more. The mine is highly regarded, being ranked as the International Gem Society's number four pick for top places to mine in the United States.
To get to the mine, follow these directions: After passing Gold City, proceed down the mountain until you see the Park-And-Ride and a modular-home building company on your right. Turn right onto Sanderstown Road and continue for approximately 3 miles until you reach a "T" intersection. Turn right onto Route 28 NORTH/Bryson City Road and then bear right onto Cowee Creek Road after passing the Cowee Baptist Church. Keep right past the historic Rickman General Store and continue for approximately 1-1/2 miles to a fork in the road. Keep right onto Ruby Mine Road, and the mine will be on your left after approximately 2-1/2 miles.
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The Lost Smoky Mountain Gold Mine in Greenbrier
Shults's mining operation caused a stir among the residents of Greenbrier, with rumours spreading daily. One legend says that the mine included a long tunnel that began in Tennessee and ended in North Carolina. Another story claims that mining parties from both states were working in the tunnel when they met in the middle! Shults was also rumoured to be counterfeiting coins, using his access to a forge as a blacksmith to melt gold nuggets into coins.
In 1967, a man named Walt Rice purchased Shults's home and found a clay pot filled with gold and silver coins worth $37,000, sparking speculation among treasure hunters. Many people in the 1960s claimed to have a map or half a map of the Shults mine, and con men would sell pieces of alleged maps to eager buyers. Despite this, no one has ever found the legendary mine or confirmed its existence. Shults was always careful to hide the location of his mine, taking different trails to the operation to avoid being followed.
Greenbrier, located along the Little Pigeon River in East Tennessee, was once home to a thriving community of people. The area takes its name from a green-stemmed vine common in Southern Appalachia. Today, visitors to Greenbrier Campground can enjoy the natural beauty and history of the area, including the legend of Perry Shults and his lost gold mine. While there is no guarantee of finding buried treasure, it promises to be a memorable experience.
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Gem mining in the Great Smoky Mountains
Gem mining is a popular activity in the Great Smoky Mountains, offering a fun and interactive experience for families and visitors of all ages. While gold panning is also an option in the region, gem mining provides an exciting opportunity to uncover a variety of gemstones and fossils.
One of the most well-known gem mining destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains is the Pigeon Forge Gem Mine. This attraction offers visitors the chance to purchase buckets of gem-rich soil and use a water sluice to sift through the contents, potentially uncovering rare gems like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. The Pigeon Forge Gem Mine is also praised for its accessibility features, ensuring that visitors with disabilities can also enjoy the experience.
Another popular spot for gem mining in the Great Smoky Mountains is Goats on the Roof. This unique attraction features live goats living on the roof, adding a fun twist to the gem mining experience. Similar to Pigeon Forge Gem Mine, Goats on the Roof provides visitors with buckets of soil to sift through, using an old-style water sluice to reveal hidden gems.
In addition to these destinations, there are several other gem mining opportunities in the Great Smoky Mountains region. The Big Rock Dude Ranch offers visitors the chance to purchase bags of mining ore and discover gemstones like quartz crystal, amethyst, and jade. Anakeesta, located at the end of the Treetop Canopy Walk, also offers gem mining alongside its interactive waterfall and sluice attraction. SkyLand Ranch is another option, where visitors can purchase bags of mining rough and sift through them at the sluice.
While gem mining is a popular activity in the Great Smoky Mountains, it is important to note that gold panning may have certain restrictions. Some areas within the Smoky Mountains National Park do not allow gold panning, as the land is privately owned or managed by the Forest Service. However, there are nearby locations, such as Franklin in North Carolina, where gold can be found in creeks and rivers, offering opportunities for gold panning outside of the park boundaries.
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Frequently asked questions
Smoky Mountain Gold and Ruby Mine in Cherokee, North Carolina, offers gold panning experiences. There is also gold in the Little Pigeon River in Gatlinburg and in Pigeon Forge, as well as the Little River in Townsend.
Gold panning is prohibited in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Gem mining is a popular activity in the Smoky Mountains, with the potential to find rubies, sapphires, topaz, emeralds, and more. The Mine Shop in Dollywood offers gemstone panning, and there is also The Rock Shop in Gatlinburg.
Yes, there are several sites in the US where you can pan for gold and gems. This includes Franklin, North Carolina; Dahlonega, Georgia; and Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas.
