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The Best Rivers to Pan for Gold in Utah

Panning for gold has taken place in Utah since settlers moved into the area in 1847. Utah has several rivers that produce small amounts of gold, but there is still one gold district outside Salt Lake City in the mountains of the Brigand District. Most of the gold in Utah was found in the 1930s, but prospectors still find areas of gold in the rivers and streams.

Green River
- Green River is one of the best places to pan for golf in Utah. Even though there has not been major gold strikes in recent years, individuals looking to find enough to pay for their trip to this area of Utah will find enough flakes to keep them coming back. Green River is situated close to world-class water-rafting, Native American rock art and dinosaur fossils. The City of Green River is a good place for a base camp and also provides some lodging that will fit a prospector's needs.
Colorado River
- The Colorado River is another popular place in Utah to pan for gold. Running in a southwesterly direction through the state, the Colorado River has several campgrounds along its banks where prospectors can set up and try there luck at panning for gold. The river might not make a prospector rich, but there is always a possibility of striking that big load because gold flakes are being found up and down the river.
San Juan River
- The San Juan River has become a popular place to pan for gold in Utah because it forks off the Colorado River. The river has become an outdoor recreational playground where white-water rafting and canoeing have become popular activities. The river flows from the southern Colorado along the edge of the San Juan Mountain range and then through the edge of Utah and then down to New Mexico. The area just before it meets the Colorado River has become the place of choice for gold prospectors.

Rocks & Minerals