Our 2010 Idaho map shows there are currently 13,324 active gold mining claims and 15,025 abandoned claims located throughout the state. Of those active claims, 11,172 are lode claims and 2,152 are placer claims. Of those abandoned claims, 13,993 are lode and 1,032 are placer. Idaho’s active gold mining claims represent about 4% of all active gold claims in America.
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When you first open the Idaho map you will see a satellite view of the state with little yellow clusters throughout. Those yellow clusters represent areas where you’ll find high concentrations of active gold mining claims. This view of these yellow clusters gives us a very accurate idea of where most of Idaho’s gold is being found. Abandoned claims will appear as little blue clusters mostly mixed in with the yellow clusters. |
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Now zoom in about 27 miles NE of Boise City to a little resort town called Placerville Idaho. You can clearly see the active (yellow) and abandoned (blue) gold mining claims boundaries throughout the area. You are now on public land in the Boise National Forest. That means you can find dozens of non-claimed gold panning sites for you and your family to try your luck at. The boundaries shown are accurate to within feet of what you’ll see at ground level. |
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Zoom in further still and you can click on any active or abandoned gold claim for ownership and other information about the claim. This information is to help those prospectors wanting to establish their own claims. Recreational gold panners should not try to contact claim holders and always stay away from claimed property. Use the claims to guide you to where the action is but always respect the property rights of others. |
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Still looking at the Placerville area, turn on the Google Earth™ overlay entitled Places of Interest. Now you can see dozens of Boise National Forest campgrounds, ranger stations, hiking trails, hotels and stores. You can zoom in further still to get a birds-eye view of roads, creeks and other points of interest. Using Google Earth™ satellite imagery, altitude and distance measuring tools will eliminate most surprises like, “I didn’t know that hill was so steep.” |
Idaho Gold Prospecting Notes: None of the Idaho images above show just how close you can zoom in to see gold panning sites. You’ll be amazed at how crisp the satellite imagery is and how much exploring and planning you can do from the comfort of your home. And Google Earth™ is a free download.
