Gold near Eau Claire, WI
5 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Eau Claire report gold. The closest is Plum Creek, about 37 miles out (46 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 Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Closest gold spots to Eau Claire
- Plum CreekPierce County, Wisconsin37 mi · 46 min driveDiamond, Gold
- Flambeau Copper MineRusk County, Wisconsin47 mi · 59 min driveCalcite, Chalcocite, Malachite
- The Bend DepositTaylor County, Wisconsin55 mi · 1 hr 9 min driveAzurite, Bornite, Calaverite
- Olmsted CountyOlmsted County, Minnesota71 mi · 1 hr 29 min driveGold
- JordanScott County, Minnesota105 mi · 2 hr 11 min driveGold
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Eau Claire
Sorted by distance from Eau Claire. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plum CreekState Highway 72 | Pierce County | 44.7298, -92.2373 | Public | |
| Flambeau Copper MineKennecott Avenue | Rusk County | 45.4427, -91.1209 | Public | |
| The Bend DepositNorth Road | Taylor County |
| 45.2908, -90.5964 | Public |
| Olmsted County19th Street Southeast | Olmsted County | 43.9980, -92.3889 | Public | |
| JordanUS 169 | Scott County | 44.6729, -93.6207 | Public |
Gold near Eau Claire FAQ
Where can I find gold near Eau Claire?+
5 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Eau Claire report gold. The closest is Plum Creek in Pierce County County, roughly 37 miles away (46 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Eau Claire?+
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 Eau Claire do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 37 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 105 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
