Quartzville Creek

In Quartzville Creek and its tributaries there is abundant placer colors and flakes. The BLM operates “The Quartzville Recreation Corridor” and this is a great place to learn how to gold mine. There is a 19 mile section of Quartville Creek that is closed to mineral entry, but is open to recreational mining using pans, sluices, dredges and highbankers. Contact BLM for more information. Also in the area is the Albany Mine which was a minor lode producer. There a  few smaller mines in the area as well. Stay out of the mines as they are privately owned and dangerous.

Quartzville Creek is great for new gold prospectors

Calapooya River

The Calapooya River is a popular river for dredging, panning and sniping gold. Also see our Lane County Oregon Gold section for more information.

North Fork of the Santiam river

This river also contains some fine placer gold. I have also heard rumors of the occasional nugget being found.