Gold Digging Laws in Georgia

Federal Land

• Several of the regulations regarding gold digging on federal Georgia land determine where you can and cannot dig. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), you cannot dig for gold in national parks. In Georgia, this means you cannot dig in the Chickamauga &Chattanooga National Military Park or the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. There are federal lands that you may search for gold, but you should check with the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to ensure that you may dig on the land.

Private Land

• Other than digging for gold on your own private land, there are places, such as the Georgia Gold Prospector's Association (GGPA), that allow you to prospect for gold on their land. These places may require you to pay to dig on their land. Places like this typically have their own set of rules or laws that you must follow. Privately owned gold digging land may include rules that make you responsible for removing your own trash as well as reporting people who don't follow the rules.

General Safety

• If you are not careful, digging for gold in Georgia, or any state, may be very dangerous. Rules on gold digging often aim to keep you safe. It is common for gold digging areas to not allow the use of firearms on the premises. In case of conflict with others who are digging as well, rules often stipulate that you contact the land managers to resolve the problem. This helps to prevent problems from escalating beyond control.

Environmental Protection

• Whether for free or a small fee, many areas that allow you to dig for gold establish rules that protect the land. For example, the GGPA does not allow you to dig into the banks of rivers. This rule helps protect the river banks from water erosion. You may not be able to bother any trees either, which includes the cutting to clear a campground. Many areas also prevent the use of explosives, which can cause severe destruction. The use of harmful chemicals may be allowed as well.