Pan for gold

Discover Hidden Gold at Wilson Creek – Mouth of Wilson, VA 

Looking for your next gold panning adventure? Wilson Creek in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, offers a unique opportunity for recreational prospectors and treasure seekers alike.This quiet stretch of the creek lies near the historic Gold Hill Prospect, where traces of native gold were discovered in quartz veins dating back over a century.

Though not part of Virginia’s major gold belt, this region is steeped in geological interest and local lore, making it a fantastic destination for casual gold panners, rock hounds, and history buffs. With surface mining recorded as early as 1903, the area’s mineral-rich streams still whisper of hidden glimmers beneath the surface.

Bring your pan, enjoy the peaceful flow of Wilson Creek, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll strike a little sparkle of gold.

Come visit, pan the creek, and experience a bit of Virginia’s golden past—right here in the heart of the mountains.

The History of Appalachian Gold

Virginia’s first recorded gold discoveries came in the early 1800s, primarily east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in what's now known as the Virginia Gold-Pyrite Belt.

This belt stretches from Fairfax County down to Buckingham County and was home to numerous small mines throughout the 19th century. Gold was typically found in quartz veins and as placer gold in streambeds. As techniques improved and word spread, Virginia saw a modest gold boom, decades before the famous California rush.

Appalachian Highlands: Untapped Potential
While most early mining occurred east of the Blue Ridge, the southwestern Appalachian Highlands including parts of Grayson, Smyth, and Washington counties, also showed signs of gold. These areas weren’t the focus of major mining operations, but they attracted local prospectors intrigued by scattered reports of native gold in quartz and alluvial deposits.

Prospects like Gold Hill near Mouth of Wilson are examples of these small, hopeful operations. Though they never developed into full-scale mines, they tell the story of persistent local exploration and the allure of gold in the ancient Appalachian rock formations.

20th Century and Hobby Prospecting
By the early 1900s, industrial mining largely faded in Virginia due to more profitable deposits in the western U.S. However, amateur geologists and recreational gold panners have kept the tradition alive.

With hand tools, gold pans, and an eye for geology, modern-day prospectors continue to search the creeks and rivers of the Appalachian Mountains, including:

Wilson Creek and the New River (Grayson County)
Reed Creek (Wythe County)
Various streams in Floyd, Patrick, and Carroll counties

Small flakes and occasional nuggets still show up today—especially after storms or seasonal flooding.