Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines: Gold Prospecting in Del Norte County, California

Updated June 2026

Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines is a mapped rockhounding spot in Del Norte County, California. Reported finds include gold, arsenopyrite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Del Norte County
State: California
Nearest road: Forest Route 18N17
Coordinates: 41.96176, -123.80202

Geology at Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines

This spot sits on gabbroic rocks, unit 2 (undivided), mapped as diorite and gabbro that formed roughly 250 to 66 million years ago. Gold in granitic terrain like this is typically tied to quartz veins along contacts and shear zones, with placer color in the streams that drain them.

Mapped unit: gabbroic rocks, unit 2 (undivided)
Age: 250–66 Ma (Triassic to Cretaceous)
Rock types: diorite and gabbro
Elevation: 2,440 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines

Best months: January to November. Typical highs run 90°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 29°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CAVE JUNCTION 1 WNW station (16 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM California, Recreational mineral collecting
California Geological Survey
CDFW, Suction Dredge Mining Permit Program
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines.

Across the state line from Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines

Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines is close enough to the California border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines FAQ

Where is Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines?+

Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines is in Del Norte County, California, at 41.96176, -123.80202. Nearest road: Forest Route 18N17.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines?+

Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines is reported to produce Gold, Arsenopyrite.

Is collecting allowed at Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines?+

The most comfortable months at Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines are January to November.

How do I get to Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek Mines?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.96176, -123.80202 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Forest Route 18N17.

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