Gold near Salida, CO
5 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Salida report gold. The closest is Gunnison Gold Belt Mines, about 61 miles out (1 hr 17 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 Salida, Colorado
Closest gold spots to Salida
- Gunnison Gold Belt MinesGunnison County, Colorado61 mi · 1 hr 17 min driveGold, Copper
- Unnamed Area (Jefferson Co.)Jefferson County, Colorado83 mi · 1 hr 44 min driveFluorite, Gold, Silver
- Moreno CreekColfax County, New Mexico140 mi · 2 hr 55 min driveChalcopyrite, Gold, Pyrite
- Ute CreekColfax County, New Mexico141 mi · 2 hr 56 min driveChalcopyrite, Gold, Pyrite
- Howes Gulch MinesLarimer County, Colorado148 mi · 3 hr 5 min driveChalcopyrite, Gold, Pyrite
Every gold spot within 150 miles of Salida
Sorted by distance from Salida. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnison Gold Belt MinesOld Huntsman Mesa Road | Gunnison County | 38.3078, -107.0925 | Public | |
| Unnamed Area (Jefferson Co.)CH 73 | Jefferson County | 39.6171, -105.3207 | Public | |
| Moreno CreekCounty Road B-24 | Colfax County | 36.5971, -105.2708 | Public | |
| Ute Creek4WD | Colfax County | 36.6083, -105.1595 | Public | |
| Howes Gulch MinesClear Ridge Road | Larimer County | 40.5911, -105.2250 | Public |
Gold near Salida FAQ
Where can I find gold near Salida?+
5 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Salida report gold. The closest is Gunnison Gold Belt Mines in Gunnison County County, roughly 61 miles away (1 hr 17 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect gold on public land near Salida?+
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 Salida do I need to drive?+
The nearest gold spot is about 61 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 148 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Salida
Gold near other cities
Hunt gold around Salida 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.
