Goldpanning and Rockhounding Opportunities

Recreational panning for gold is allowed on most of the Uwharrie National Forest. Stream-bed (placer) gold, in most cases, does not exist in sufficient quantities to constitute economically recoverable deposits. No fee or permit is required as long as only shovel and pan techniques are used and no significant stream disturbance results, but one should check with the Uwharrie Ranger Station. Sluice or "shaker" boxes are allowed, but no mechanized or motorized equipment, such as suction dredges are allowed. 

On some areas of the Uwharrie National Forest, the minerals are privately owned. Written permission should be obtained from the mineral owner prior to beginning collection.  

Pending further analysis about impacts to archeological and other resources, recreational metal detecting is currently not allowed on the Uwharrie.  Please check with the District office at 910-576-6391 for additional information.

 Rock hounding is hunting and collecting rocks and minerals as a hobby. A wide variety of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock types are found within the Uwharrie National Forest, and many individual minerals are found in association with these rocks. As a rule, there is no objection to taking a handful of rock, mineral, or petrified wood specimens from the surface of the National Forest System lands. No fee or permit is required as long as:

*  The specimens are for personal, non-commercial use.

*  The specimens are not of archaeological value.

*  No mechanical equipment or blasting is utilized.

*  No significant disturbance results 

*  Collection does not conflict with existing mineral permits, leases, or sales.

Mining and mineral leasing laws are applicable to all activities of a commercial nature. During the course of collecting rock and mineral specimens, a person may feel that an area is worthy of detailed exploration to determine whether or not a mineral is present in commercial quality or quantity. This type of detailed exploration can be conducted only under a Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Permit. Applications and additional information may be obtained from: Eastern States Office, BLM, 7450 Boston Boulevard Springfield, VA 22153-3121

 

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UWHARRIE NATIONAL FOREST
NORTH CAROLINA