Gold near Coos Bay, OR
6 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Coos Bay report gold. The closest is Old Mines, about 63 miles out (1 hr 19 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 6 gold collecting spots within 150 miles of Coos Bay, Oregon
Closest gold spots to Coos Bay
- Old MinesJosephine County, Oregon63 mi · 1 hr 19 min driveArsenopyrite, Azurite, Calcite
- Althouse CreekJosephine County, Oregon93 mi · 1 hr 57 min driveAgate, Garnet, Gold Nugget
- Streams around Oregon CavesJosephine County, Oregon96 mi · 2 hr driveAgate, Chalcedony, Gold
- Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek MinesDel Norte County, California99 mi · 2 hr 4 min driveGold, Arsenopyrite
- Happy Camp Jade MinesSiskiyou County, California110 mi · 2 hr 17 min driveJade, Gold, Serpentine
- Quartzville Recreational Mining CorridorLinn County, Oregon122 mi · 2 hr 32 min driveGold, Agate, Jasper
Types of gold reported near Coos Bay
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Gold5
- Gold Nugget1
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Coos Bay
Sorted by distance from Coos Bay. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old MinesGalice Road | Josephine County | 42.5693, -123.5953 | Permission | |
| Althouse CreekBeebe Drive | Josephine County |
| 42.1126, -123.5389 | Permission |
| Streams around Oregon CavesCaves Highway | Josephine County | 42.1077, -123.4085 | Permission | |
| Shelly Creek & Monkey Creek MinesForest Route 18N17 | Del Norte County | 41.9618, -123.8020 | Public | |
| Happy Camp Jade MinesSouth Indian Road | Siskiyou County |
| 41.8766, -123.4602 | Public |
| Quartzville Recreational Mining Corridor | Linn County | 44.5575, -122.4166 | Public |
Gold near Coos Bay FAQ
Where can I find gold near Coos Bay?+
6 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Coos Bay report gold. The closest is Old Mines in Josephine County County, roughly 63 miles away (1 hr 19 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Coos Bay?+
3 of the 6 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 Coos Bay do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 63 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 122 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
