New Here! New to the hobby!, Looking forward to prospecting with my kids! Options

[dantyer]

Thanks for allowing me to be here! My dad took me a few times when I was a lot younger and panning and running a sluice was a great memory of growing up. I now have two kids of my own and we are an avid outdoors family. I just bought a couple pans and a small sluice. I am wanting to teach my kids more about looking for gold and minerals.

I live in northern Colorado in the town of Laporte. I live right by the mouth of the Poudre Canyon and would like to take them up the canyon to start. I have been trying to find information on what areas I am able to pan the river. I want to make sure I understand the laws correctly and am taking my kids to do this legally. What is a good resource to look at to see what sections of river are available to do this with so I am not stepping on somebodies claim. I have tried to call the forest service locally and the parks and wildlife office and both had no idea.

Also what are other good areas to go around northern Colorado with kids?

[MikeS]

Welcome to the forums Dantyer and Morgan!

Most of the Poudre Canyon is National Forest and it looks like it is open for prospecting. There is several areas with private property along the canyon to stay away from. Some of the areas near the official NF campgrounds may be restricted.

Just north of Rustic is one of the only notable gold occurrences in the county. Sevenmile Creek/Prohibition Mt. has several active gold claims and it is important to do good research to avoid the active claims in that area.

Most of the Poudre River/Canyon is not known for significant gold but I would guess you can find some small flakes in there.

The first 1.8 miles of Stove Prairie Rd is on NF lands and appears to be open for prospecting in that area.