PANNING FOR GOLD

From gold pans and instruction to dredges and metal detectors
we have all your needs for gold prospecting.

Learn to Pan For Gold

We offer free, hands-on demonstrations to teach you the correct technique to pan for gold so you will be able to find gold on your own.

Tools and Equipment

Sales and Rentals of Prospecting Equipment.

Pans - Trowels - Vials - Sluice Boxes
Classifying Screens - Guzzlers
Pokes - Shovels - Buckets
Dredges and Metal Detectors by order

Panning Pool

(Our Panning Pool is a trough filled with water where you can pan for your gold without going to the river.)

Swift River and East/West Branches

Many locations are open to the public if you want to go to the River to pan.
We can guide you in the right direction.

Rentals

We rent gold pans, classifying screens, trowels and sluice boxes.
All rentals require a refundable cash deposit

On-Site Rentals

Gold pan and trowel rental is free as long as you don’t leave our property with them.
$5 per pan deposit applies.

Off-Site Rental Fees

Pans and Classifying Screens . . $2.00/day
With a $5 each deposit
Trowels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00 /day
(small garden shovels)

Sluice Box, Bucket, Shovel . . . . $15.00/day
With an $85 deposit

PAYDIRT

Buckets of river gravel enriched
with gold flakes

We offer 1 gallon buckets for $20 & $35
We have small buckets for $5

The paydirt buckets can be used in our panning pool or taken home.

Big Nugget Photo Album

Find a gold nugget 3 grains or larger and get your picture in our Big Nugget Photo Album! Check it out when you visit us.

Larger Groups Please call ahead for Reservations

Authorized Dealer
KEENE - GARRETT - FISHER
GOLD MAGIC

HISTORY

Gold was first discovered here in Byron, Maine in the 1840’s. Over the years much gold has been taken from the Swift River and the East and West Branches.
At the turn of the century, there was even a gold mining operation up and running with a stamp mill for crushing the rock and retrieving the gold, although it wasn’t finding enough gold to stay in business. It stayed in operation for a few extra years by devising a stock scam, which was eventually revealed.
During the depression many people took up prospecting as a means of supplementing poor incomes.
A lady whom grew up here with her family panned enough gold to send her through college.
Still today people are interested in prospecting for gold here in Byron. It’s fun and exciting...you never know when you’re going to find that nice nugget!
Come try your hand at panning for gold. It’s a family activity that everyone can enjoy.

Link to Maine Gold Prospector’s Club Site www.mainegoldprospecting.com where you can join their club, attend their outings and meetings, and share in the passion for gold prospecting.