Cody Casey
While there are no known places to pan for gold in Las Vegas, there are several spots in the nearby areas where you can try your luck. Gold mining areas around Las Vegas are located in Clark County and Mohave County, with the latter being more popular as it has more rich gold grounds. The Gold Basin and Lost Basin placers are the most popular areas, with the former being about 60 miles from Kingman City and the latter being located within a small northward-trending group of mountains. The El Dorado district in the Opal Mountains is another place to consider, with the area producing gold since the 1850s. If you're willing to travel further, you can also try panning for gold in the Sierras in California, where the gold rush took place, or in Reno and Lake Tahoe, where gold and silver deposits can be found.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gold mining areas around Las Vegas | Clark County, Mohave County |
| Gold mining areas in Clark County | Southeast of Las Vegas on U.S. Highway 95 near the historic mining town of Nelson |
| Gold mining areas in Mohave County | Gold Basin, Lost Basin placers |
| Gold mining areas near Lake Mead | North of Lake Mead or South of the Virgin Mountains |
| Gold mining areas near the Colorado River | South of Eldorado Canyon, West of the river on the eastern side of the Newberry Mountains |
| Gold panning clubs in Nevada | Las Vegas GPAA chapter, Reno Gem & Mineral Society |
| Gold panning process | Panning for placer gold, using a metal detector |
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What You'll Learn
Gold mining areas near Las Vegas
On the northern side of Lake Mead is the Gold Butte mining district, which is located northeast of Las Vegas. Most of the gold in this area is found either north of Lake Mead or south of the Virgin Mountains. More deposits are located further inland from the original shore of the Colorado River. The Searchlight District, located west of the Colorado River and east of the Newberry Mountains, is another gold-bearing area near Las Vegas. The hills between the southern Eldorado Mountains and the northern Newberry Mountains are home to the gold mines of the Searchlight district.
Many prospectors in the Las Vegas area have had success in Mohave County, Arizona, which is the second-largest gold-producing county in the state. The most popular areas are the Gold Basin and Lost Basin placers, with many scattered gold deposits found throughout the county within a few hours' drive from Las Vegas. The Gold Basin district is a hilly area in the eastern part of the White Hills, accessible by road, about 60 miles from Kingman City. The Lost Basin district is located within a small northward-trending group of mountains, locally known as the Lost Basin Range, which elevates east of Hualapai Wash.
While there may be gold deposits closer to Las Vegas, such as along the Colorado River or near Bonnie Springs, the necessary equipment and hot desert climate may make prospecting more challenging. Additionally, running streams, ideal for panning, are hard to come by around Las Vegas. For those seeking a more tourist-oriented experience, there are old ghost towns within a few hours' drive from Las Vegas that were established due to gold and silver strikes, such as Goldfield, Chloride, and Searchlight. These towns offer a glimpse into the history of mining in the region.
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Gold panning in Clark County
Placer gold can be found southeast of Las Vegas on U.S. Highway 95 near the historic mining town of Nelson. The El Dorado district, located in the Opal Mountains, has produced gold since the 1850s, with both lode and placer deposits. Small amounts of placer gold have been found in the El Dorado Canyon area and in bars along the Colorado River south of the Eldorado Canyon. The source of the gold at El Dorado Canyon is estimated to come from the lode mines near Nelson, with smaller prospects in and around the area likely done by small-scale placer miners during the 1920s and 1930s.
The Gold Butte mining district is located on the northern side of Lake Mead, northeast of Las Vegas. Most of the gold in this area is found either north of Lake Mead or south of the Virgin Mountains, with more deposits located further inland from the original shore of the Colorado River.
The Searchlight District, located west of the Colorado River and east of the Newberry Mountains, is home to gold mines. There are also deposits east of the main mining area between the Colorado River and Newberry Mountains.
Many prospectors in the Las Vegas area have had success in Mohave County, Arizona, the second-largest gold-producing county in the state. The most popular areas are the Gold Basin and Lost Basin placers, with many scattered gold deposits throughout the county within a few hours of Las Vegas. The Gold Basin district is a hilly area in the eastern part of the White Hills, accessible by road, about 60 miles from Kingman City. The Lost Basin district is located within a small northward-trending group of mountains, locally known as the Lost Basin Range, which elevates east of Hualapai Wash and is separated from the Grand Wash Cliffs by Grapevine Wash. Placer gold locations in the area were found on the eastern and western sides of the Lost Basin Range, south of Lake Mead.
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Gold prospecting in Mohave County
The most popular areas for gold prospecting in Mohave County are the Gold Basin and Lost Basin placers. The Gold Basin district is an hilly area in the eastern part of the White Hills, accessible by road, about 60 miles from the county seat of Kingman City. The gold deposits in the Gold Basin district are mostly free-milling and of the mesothermal vein type in pre-Cambrian granite and schist. Gold-bearing gravels, arroyos, and gulches can be found on the large detrital fan that slopes eastward from the White Hills to Hualapai Wash and is traversed by White Elephant Wash and its tributaries.
The Lost Basin district is located within a small northward-trending group of mountains, locally known as the Lost Basin Range. This range elevates east of Hualapai Wash and is separated from the Grand Wash Cliffs by Grapevine Wash. Placer gold locations in the Lost Basin district were found on the eastern and western sides of the Lost Basin Range, south of Lake Mead. Placers in Quaternary-age alluvial fans are still actively worked through small-scale mining. These placers are relative in size to the placer grounds on the east side of the range.
In addition to the Gold Basin and Lost Basin districts, there are many scattered gold deposits that can be found throughout Mohave County within a few hours of Las Vegas.
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Gold in El Dorado Canyon
In the 1850s, prospectors returned to the area, attracted by the gold in the many streams feeding the Colorado River. The Techatticup Mine, formed by a group of miners, was once owned by Senator George Hearst of California and produced over $2.5 million worth of gold, silver, copper, and lead until 1945. The Nelson District, which includes El Dorado Canyon, yielded over $500 million in ore in almost 100 years of mining.
The source of the gold at El Dorado Canyon is believed to be the lode mines near Nelson, with smaller prospects from small-scale placer miners in the 1920s and 1930s. The area has produced gold since the mid-1850s, with both lode and placer deposits found in the Opal Mountains. Placer gold can be found in gold-bearing gravels, arroyos, and gulches in the larger detrital fan east of the White Hills.
While the bulk of mining activity in El Dorado Canyon took place during depression-era mining operations, the area continues to offer opportunities for gold prospecting. Gold can be found in the gravels around El Dorado Canyon and in bars along the Colorado River south of the canyon.
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Gold panning trips and tours
Gold panning is a fun activity to do in Las Vegas, especially if you're travelling with kids and teens. While there are no gold panning sites in the city itself, there are plenty of places to pan for gold within a few hours' drive of Las Vegas.
Nevada County
Nevada County was put on the map during the Gold Rush, and the wealth from its mines created the charming historic towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley. Today, you can still see remnants of its mining past in its historic buildings, trails, and state parks. Gold panning demonstrations are held every Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 2 pm at the Bridgeport HQ. You can then try your hand at gold panning in its rawest form on the mighty South Yuba River State Park.
Goldfield
The old boom town of Goldfield is located up Hwy 95 past the Nellis Air Force Range, 184 miles from Las Vegas. This is a great place to learn about the history of the Gold Rush era and try your luck at panning for gold.
Chloride, AZ
Beyond the Hoover Dam off Hwy 93 is the old mining town of Chloride, AZ, where gold, silver, turquoise, lead, and zinc were mined. It is located 88 miles southeast of Las Vegas.
Searchlight
Searchlight was a prolific gold and silver mining town located straight south of Las Vegas on Hwy 95. It was once so prolific that three main rail lines came to the town until a heavy flash flood wiped out much of the town and several mines.
El Dorado Canyon
The El Dorado district is located in the Opal Mountains and has produced gold since the mid-1850s, both in lode and placer deposits. The source of the gold is estimated to come from the lode mines near Nelson. Smaller prospects can be found in and around this area, most likely done by small-scale placer miners during the 1920s and 1930s.
Gold Butte Mining District
Located on the northern side of Lake Mead, northeast of Las Vegas on U.S. Interstate 15 towards Riverside. Most of the gold in this area is found either north of Lake Mead or south of the Virgin Mountains.
Gold Basin and Lost Basin
These are the most popular areas for gold prospecting in Mohave County, Arizona, which is the second-largest gold-producing county in the state. The Gold Basin district comprises a hilly area in the eastern part of the White Hills, accessible by road some 60 miles from the county seat of Kingman City. Placer gold locations in Gold Basin are found in gold-bearing gravels, arroyos, and gulches on the large detrital fan that sloped eastward from the White Hills to Hualapai Wash. The Lost Basin district is located within a small northward-trending group of mountains, locally known as the Lost Basin Range. Placer gold locations in the area were found on the eastern and western sides of the range, south of Lake Mead.
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Frequently asked questions
Gold mining areas around Las Vegas are located in Clark County and Mohave County. Placer gold can be found southeast of Las Vegas on U.S. Highway 95 near the historic mining town of Nelson.
Placer gold is loose gold that has separated from rock through natural processes. Panning for placer gold is the easiest and least expensive way to prospect for gold.
You will need a gold pan, promising soil (ideally black sand from a riverbed), and water.
Yes, the Las Vegas GPAA chapter offers outings for gold panning and prospecting.
