Gold near Bangor, ME
5 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Bangor report gold. The closest is Sandy River at New Sharon, about 65 miles out (1 hr 21 min drive).
Recreational gold collecting means panning placer gravels where moving water has concentrated heavy flakes and the occasional nugget, or working the dumps of historic lode districts.
Map of 5 gold collecting spots within 150 miles of Bangor, Maine
Closest gold spots to Bangor
- Sandy River at New SharonFranklin County, Maine65 mi · 1 hr 21 min driveGold, Garnet, Magnetite
- St. Croix River at Grand Falls FlowageWashington County, Maine68 mi · 1 hr 26 min driveGold, Garnet, Magnetite
- Swift River at Coos CanyonOxford County, Maine91 mi · 1 hr 54 min driveGold, Garnet, Magnetite
- Indian StreamCoös County, New Hampshire127 mi · 2 hr 39 min driveGold Nugget, Gold Placer
- Acton Lead MinesYork County, Maine140 mi · 2 hr 55 min driveAndalusite, Arsenopyrite, Bornite
Types of gold reported near Bangor
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Gold4
- Gold Nugget1
- Gold Placer1
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Bangor
Sorted by distance from Bangor. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy River at New Sharon | Franklin County | 44.6206, -70.0653 | Public | |
| St. Croix River at Grand Falls Flowage | Washington County | 45.2513, -67.5230 | Public | |
| Swift River at Coos CanyonTekwood Road | Oxford County | 44.7208, -70.6322 | Public | |
| Indian StreamIndian Stream Road | Coös County |
| 45.2811, -71.2916 | Public |
| Acton Lead MinesOrchard Road | York County |
| 43.4832, -70.9104 | Public |
Gold near Bangor FAQ
Where can I find gold near Bangor?+
5 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Bangor report gold. The closest is Sandy River at New Sharon in Franklin County County, roughly 65 miles away (1 hr 21 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Bangor?+
5 of the 5 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Do I need a permit to pan for gold?+
Hand panning is generally allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land that is not under an active mining claim, with no permit needed for pans and hand tools. Sluices and dredges fall under state rules and often do need permits. Check claim maps before working a creek: panning someone's claim is theft.
How far from Bangor do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 65 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 140 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
