Gold Panning in Maine’s Rangeley Lakes Region
The Swift River at Coos Canyon
Try your luck at gold panning in one of Maine’s stream beds or go rock hunting for tourmaline, aquamarine, beryl, garnet, or amethyst in one of the state’s quarries. The Swift River near Byron (off of Route 17 between Rangeley and Rumford – Western Mountains & Lakes Region) is the most popular area for gold panning and has produced some of the larger nuggets found in the state. In general, the most productive spots in Maine for gold, gemstones and minerals are various locations in Franklin, Oxford, Somerset, and Washington Counties.
Other areas known to produce some gold:
- Swift River and tributaries near Byron in Oxford and Franklin Counties
- Sandy River – from Madrid to New Sharon in Franklin Ct
- Kibby – Gold Brook in Franklin County
- Kibby Stream – at Kibby in Franklin County
- Rangeley Lake – at Bog Stream just south of state park – in Franklin County
- Chandler Hill Stream – tributary of Sandy River
- Nile Brook in Rangeley
See Also: Gold Panning Gear Rentals
