Arizona is a prospector's paradise. With vast tracts of BLM land and a long history of dry-washing, it remains one of the best places in the US to find gold on public ground in the Sonoran Desert.
Arizona's gold is primarily lode-derived from ancient Precambrian rocks. Over millions of years, desert erosion has washed this gold into dry creek beds or "washes," creating rich eluvial deposits where the gold hasn't traveled far from its source.
The desert gold capital. Massive public land access but requires high-quality metal detectors.
Famous for the Hassayampa River and rich dry placers in the surrounding hills.
Vast mining history with high-grade specimen gold and alluvial deposits.
Monthly extraction and maintenance data for the Grand Canyon State.
LODE ASSETS
5,200
PLACER ASSETS
3,400
TOTAL ACTIVE
8,600
LODE ASSETS
1,100
PLACER ASSETS
2,200
TOTAL ACTIVE
3,300
LODE ASSETS
1,800
PLACER ASSETS
900
TOTAL ACTIVE
2,700
Advanced analysis regarding PI vs VLF sensor integration available in the Wiki.
"In the Bradshaws, don't just look in the creek. Look for the white quartz blowouts on the hillsides. The gold is often sitting right there in the crumbling rock..."
— Desert Dave (Wickenburg, 1995)
Yes! Arizona has extensive BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land open to recreational gold prospecting. No permit is typically required for casual panning and detecting, but you cannot use motorized equipment without proper authorization.
October through April is ideal. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F (43°C) in the desert. If you must go in summer, start before dawn and stop by 10 AM.
Arizona gold is primarily lode-derived, often appearing as small nuggets, flakes, and specimen pieces still attached to quartz. The gold hasn't traveled far from its source, making it angular and 'rough' compared to water-worn placer gold.
No claim is needed for recreational detecting on open BLM land. However, you must verify you're not on an existing claim. Use the BLM's MLRS (Mining & Land Records System) to check claim locations before detecting.
The Minelab SDC 2300 is highly recommended for Arizona. Its sensitive multi-period sensing (MPS) handles the highly mineralized 'hot ground' common in the Sonoran Desert better than most VLF detectors.
Arizona gold is legendary, but physical stacks in a secure vault or digital exposure are the ultimate hedge.
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Land access rights, safety conditions, and public fossicking zones change. You are solely responsible for verifying regulations with local authorities (DOC/Council/BLM) and assessing river safety before visiting. Paystreak.io accepts no liability for injury, fines, or trespassing. Never dig on private land without explicit permission.
✓ Information last verified: January 2026