Gold near Portland, OR
4 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Portland report gold. The closest is Camas, about 12 miles out (15 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 4 gold collecting spots within 150 miles of Portland, Oregon
Closest gold spots to Portland
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Portland
Sorted by distance from Portland. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CamasSouthwest 6th Avenue | Clark County | 45.5760, -122.4375 | Public | |
| Brush PrairieNortheast 149th Street | Clark County | 45.7312, -122.5729 | Public | |
| Quartzville Recreational Mining Corridor | Linn County | 44.5575, -122.4166 | Public | |
| American RiverState Route 410 | Yakima County | 46.9767, -121.1788 | Public |
Gold near Portland FAQ
Where can I find gold near Portland?+
4 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Portland report gold. The closest is Camas in Clark County County, roughly 12 miles away (15 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Portland?+
4 of the 4 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 Portland do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 12 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 124 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Portland
Gold near other cities
Hunt gold around Portland 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.
