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Swift River at Coos Canyon: Gold Prospecting in Oxford County, Maine

Public accessBest spot4 mineralsOxford County, MaineUpdated June 2026
Minerals reported
4
Elevation
870 ft
Best months
April to October

The Swift River at Coos Canyon in Byron carries fine glacial gold and is the most famous recreational gold-panning spot in New England, with flakes recoverable from bedrock crevices in the roadside gorge. Nine acres of the canyon were permanently protected through Maine's Land for Maine's Future program in 2006. Garnet and magnetite concentrate in the same black sand. Reported finds include gold, garnet, magnetite, staurolite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

State
Maine
Nearest road
Tekwood Road
Postcode
04275
Get directionsView on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: Coos Canyon is a free roadside park on Route 17 in Byron with parking and picnic areas beside the Swift River. Hand panning is open to the public at no charge while motorized methods are separately regulated, so keep to hand tools and avoid disturbing the banks.

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.

Best time to visit Swift River at Coos Canyon

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 24°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 3°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ANDOVER 2 station (9 mi away).

Geology at Swift River at Coos Canyon

This spot sits on Perry Mountain Formation, mapped as sandstone and shale that formed roughly 445 to 420 million years ago. In sedimentary country like this, any placer gold is typically recycled from older gravels, concentrating again in modern stream beds.

Mapped unit
Perry Mountain Formation
Age
445–420 Ma (Silurian)
Rock types
sandstone and shale
Elevation
870 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.

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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:

Found at Swift River at Coos Canyon

Each name 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 Swift River at Coos Canyon.

Across the state line from Swift River at Coos Canyon

Swift River at Coos Canyon is close enough to the Maine border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Swift River at Coos Canyon FAQ

Where is Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
Swift River at Coos Canyon is in Oxford County, Maine, at 44.72076, -70.63216. Nearest road: Tekwood Road.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
Swift River at Coos Canyon is reported to produce Gold, Garnet, Magnetite, Staurolite.
Is collecting allowed at Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
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 Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
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 Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
The most comfortable months at Swift River at Coos Canyon are April to October.
How do I get to Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 44.72076, -70.63216 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Tekwood Road.

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