Swift River at Coos Canyon — Rockhounding in Oxford County, Maine
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.
Swift River at Coos Canyon photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Swift River at Coos Canyon in Oxford County, Maine
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Oxford County
- State
- Maine
- Nearest road
- Tekwood Road
- Postcode
- 04275
- Coordinates
- 44.72076, -70.63216
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:
- Maine Geological Survey
- Maine Mineral & Gem Museum
- Acadia National Park rules
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Swift River at Coos Canyon
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 Swift River at Coos Canyon.
- Bemis Stream ProspectFranklin County, Maine · 8 mi awayAlbite, Beryl, Green Elbaite Tourmaline
- Baldpate MountainOxford County, Maine · 15 mi awayAquamarine
- Hedgehog Hill QuarryOxford County, Maine · 19 mi awayAlbite, Almandine Garnet, Beryl
- Havey Tourmaline QuarryFranklin County, Maine · 22 mi away
- Ragged Jack MountainOxford County, Maine · 23 mi awayAlmandine Garnet, Chrysoberyl, Fluorapatite
- Dig Maine GemsOxford County, Maine · 28 mi away
- Sandy River at New SharonTop pick in MaineFranklin County, Maine · 29 mi awayGold, Garnet, Magnetite
- Bumpus QuarryOxford County, Maine · 29 mi awayAlbite, Almandine Garnet, Autunite
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.
- Mount JasperCoös County, New Hampshire · 32 mi awayJasper
- Victor HeadCoös County, New Hampshire · 39 mi awayAlbite, Amethyst, Beryl
- StratfordCoös County, New Hampshire · 40 mi awayAmethyst
- Hurricane MountainCarroll County, New Hampshire · 50 mi awayAmethyst, Smoky Quartz
- Indian StreamCoös County, New Hampshire · 50 mi awayGold Nugget, Gold Placer
- RedstoneCarroll County, New Hampshire · 54 mi awayAmethyst, Apatite, Quartz
Swift River at Coos Canyon FAQ
Why is Swift River at Coos Canyon one of the best rockhounding spots in Maine?+
Where is Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
Is collecting allowed at Swift River at Coos Canyon?+
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More rockhounding in Maine
See all 31 Maine spots →Open Swift River at Coos Canyon on the map
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