CLEAR CREEK
It sounds impossible, but you can find gold literally minutes from downtown Denver. Clear Creek drains the rich mineral belt of Idaho Springs and Central City, depositing gold right at the feet of the city.
City Limits Rules
Rules change every mile here. Inside **Jefferson County Open Space**, panning is generally allowed (Hands and Pans). Inside **City of Golden**, sluices may be restricted.
Always Check Signage. Do not dig into the river banks or disturb vegetation. This is a high-traffic recreational area. Keep it clean.
Arapahoe Bar
Located just west of Denver. This is a dedicated gold panning park. It gets hit hard, but the flood replenishment keeps it viable for practice.
The Canyon
Hwy 6 winds up the canyon. Pull-outs exist, but parking is tight. The gold here is coarser than at Arapahoe Bar. Look for bedrock rapids.
Lunch Break Gold
This is the only place in the US where you can reasonably pan for gold on your lunch break from a corporate job. Keep a pan in your trunk.
Tactical Intel: Bedrock Busting
In the canyon sections, the bedrock is often smooth and polished granite. Gold gets trapped in the **micro-fissures**. Bring a sniping tool (crevice sucker) and clean out the cracks that are underwater. You will be amazed at what hides in a 1mm crack.
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The Digger's Code
- Backfill all holes before you leave.
- Pack out all your trash.
- Respect fence lines and gates.
Legal Disclaimer
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