Public Gold Mining Areas in Alaska

If you are coming to Alaska on a vacation, you probably will ask the question, "Where can I go look for GOLD while I visit?" I have compiled a list of places to accomplish that on this page. I will continue to add information here as I find time. Don't hesitate to send me e-mail if you require more information. I may not be able to obtain it for you but probably can tell you where to get what you need. If there is information you would like to see here that I have not included, let me know.

Alaska is famous for many things. One of them is GOLD! When you visit Alaska you need to find out where you can get some while you are here. Many people here have active claims and not many places are available to the casual prospector. You can either look for gold at a commercial business that caters to tourists or find an area that you can find it in it's natural setting.

Commercial Business: Some people prefer to pan for gold without all the hardships of going out and getting it in it's natural setting. There are several places in Fairbanks where you can pan for gold for a fee and are assured of finding something.

Alaskan Prospectors & Geologists Supply, 504 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701 (907) 452-7398 or FAX (907) 456-2569.
El Dorado Gold Mine is located at 1 Mile Elliott Hwy, Fox, Alaska is the physical location of this business. Write for info at 1975 Discovery Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99709 or call 479-7613. This is an actual gold mining camp that has been converted for tourist traffic. There is a small narrow gage railroad on the property and lots of historic mining equipment. No Web site yet but here's their e-mail address. egm1@eagle.ptialaska.net
Gold Dredge # 8 is located at 9 mile Old Steese Hwy, Fox Alaska. Write for info at or call (907) 457-6058. No web site yet but here's their e-mail address. gidg@alaska.net

Public Access: For those that feel that finding gold at a commercial business is like shooting fish in a barrel, there are public areas that are closed to claim filing and are open to the general public for recreational gold panning and sluicing. Information on these areas including maps can be obtained from the BLM office at the corner of University Avenue and Airport Road in Fairbanks. You can also get the info and maps from DNR at the same location, just a different office.

Pedro Dome: Is the oldest such area in the Fairbanks area. The area is the general location where Gold was first discovered in the Fairbanks area by Felix Pedro on July 22, 1902. This is the strike that put Fairbanks on the map. Small area, approximately 1 acre in size open to gold pans, metal detectors, sluice boxes and rocker boxes. There are no facilities such as restrooms, drinking water or food vendors in the area.
Nome Creek: Is the largest area of this kind in Alaska. Gold pans, metal detectors, sluice boxes and rocker boxes only. It has a rich history of gold production and is easily accessible even with the super size motorhomes that tourists bring to Alaska. A huge road project completed in 1997 made access to this area from the Steese Highway very easy. Road begins at 57.3 mile Steese Highway. The road is approximately 5 miles long from the Steese Highway to Nome Creek mining area. Restrooms (outhouses) available and camping areas too. The Steese Highway is paved only to mile 44.
Bachelor Creek: Is 80 miles North of Fairbanks just past Montana Creek on the Steese Highway. There is a 4WD road that begins at the Dept of Transportation yard and goes around the fenced area. 4WD road not suitable for motorhomes or most cars and you will go approximately 4 miles before reaching the mining area of the creek. No facilities available at the site. Area is open to gold panning, sluice boxes, rocker boxes, metal detectors and small suction dredges up to 6".
Caribou Creek: Is an area in the Matanuska River area.
Dalton Highway: Is an area on the famous "Haul Road" which connects Fairbanks to the Oil producing area in Prudhoe Bay.

If you are coming to Alaska...you should consider reading books written by Ron Wendt. His books are specific to Alaska and will increase your chances of finding GOLD when you visit. Here is where you can get his books.

Goldstream Publications
P.O. BOX 870624JWS
Wasilla, AK 99687

Alaskan Gold Prospectors Guide. $ 9.95
Alaska Nugget Detecting $ 6.95
Gold Prospecting Along the Yukon River $ 9.95
Gold, Ghost Towns & Grizzlies $ 9.95
Kenai Peninsula Gold $ 8.95
Fortymile Gold $ 8.95
Where to Prospect for Gold in Alaska Without Getting Shot! $ 9.95

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This page first appeared here on October 1, 1997.

This many GOLD crazed maniacs were here before you!