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The Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands are rich in mineral resources. If you plan to use hand tools, you do not need a permit or other authorization from the Forest Service for gold panning, hand sluicing or metal detecting. If have something larger scale in mind, or plan to use any type of mechanized equipment you will need approval of the activity and plans for reclamation of the site. 

Visit the Hardrock and Placer Mineral Mining page to get an overview of the laws, rules, regulations and step-by-step permitting instructions for hard rock mining on National Forest System lands.

What is prospecting, rockhounding and fossil hunting? 

• Rockhounding involves the searching and collection of small quantities of common variety rocks, gems or other geologic materials for personal use or enjoyment.
• Prospecting is searching for valuable minerals. This can range from collecting hand samples of mineralized rock and gold panning to using metal detectors and operating small nonmotorized sluices as long as they “do not cause significant surface disturbance” (36 CFR 228.4a(1)(iv)). Forest Service mining regulations listed at 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 228, Subpart A and C, govern prospecting and rockhounding activities.
• Fossil hunting allows the collection of petrified wood, invertebrate and plant fossils for personal use. Invertebrate fossils, such as clams, do not have an internal skeleton. Collection of vertebrate (has internal skeleton) fossils requires a permit (36 CFR 261.9i). The rules for petrified wood collection are found under 36 CFR 228, Subpart C. 

Be advised that unauthorized collection of archaeological artifacts, such as arrowheads, old bottles, other historic artifacts, etc., is prohibited on National Forest lands.

Rocks and Minerals

Panning is by far the most popular activity of “recreational prospectors.” When panning or hand loading a sluice, digging in a stream bed should be done below the high-water mark, and at no times may the bank be caved or undermined. Your work should not undercut riparian vegetation or expose tree roots. Please remove all litter and refrain from digging above the high-water mark. Return any sand and gravel to the hole from which it was removed.

If you plan to use hand tools, you do not need a permit or other authorization from the Forest Service for gold panning, hand sluicing or metal detecting.

• Guidelines for Rockhounding on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
• General Guidelines for Prospecting on the National Forests
• Motor Vehicle Access to Claims in Closed Areas on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

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