Gold near Payson, AZ
7 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Payson report gold. The closest is Area around Go John Mine, about 47 miles out (59 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 7 gold collecting spots within 150 miles of Payson, Arizona
Closest gold spots to Payson
- Area around Go John MineMaricopa County, Arizona47 mi · 59 min driveGold, Silver, Copper
- ~4 mi. SW of Cave Creek townMaricopa County, Arizona49 mi · 1 hr 2 min driveAgate, Gold, Jasper
- Area of old Octave mining campYavapai County, Arizona78 mi · 1 hr 38 min driveGold
- On surface around Rich HillYavapai County, Arizona79 mi · 1 hr 39 min driveGold Nugget
- San Domingo WashMaricopa County, Arizona80 mi · 1 hr 40 min driveGold
- Area of old Stanton mining campYavapai County, Arizona81 mi · 1 hr 41 min driveFluorite, Garnet, Gold
Types of gold reported near Payson
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Gold6
- Gold Nugget1
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Payson
Sorted by distance from Payson. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area around Go John MineSlate Trail | Maricopa County | 33.8257, -111.9930 | Public | |
| ~4 mi. SW of Cave Creek townBrawling Badger Trail | Maricopa County | 33.7824, -111.9979 | Public | |
| Area of old Octave mining campOctave Road | Yavapai County | 34.1417, -112.6901 | Public | |
| On surface around Rich Hill | Yavapai County |
| 34.1728, -112.7104 | Public |
| San Domingo WashPhoenix–Wickenburg Highway | Maricopa County | 33.8870, -112.6623 | Public | |
| Area of old Stanton mining campStanton Road | Yavapai County | 34.1569, -112.7362 | Public | |
| Congress MineGhost Town Road | Yavapai County | 34.1992, -112.8535 | Public |
Gold near Payson FAQ
Where can I find gold near Payson?+
7 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Payson report gold. The closest is Area around Go John Mine in Maricopa County County, roughly 47 miles away (59 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Payson?+
7 of the 7 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 Payson do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 47 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 87 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Payson
Gold near other cities
Hunt gold around Payson with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
