Nuggets Found in Arizona

Gold Nuggets Found in Arizona

By Tom Lutzenberger, eHow Contributor

updated: November 9, 2010

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1. 
   Gold Nugget image by roger from Fotolia.com 
   Finding gold in its raw form involves either digging for gold veins or finding the metal in rivers and creeks.
   Finding gold nuggets involves hard, dirty work either inside caves, on the side of rock hills or more commonly in mountain rivers where rock is washed down from higher elevations. In Arizona, finding the precious metal tends to be impacted by the natural behavior of the desert. Understanding how this topography and its environment work can help in more easily finding gold.

Water-Driven Locations

2. Deserts are primarily dry, however, many Arizona deserts have flash floods when it does rain. The water goes into what are called desert washes or drainage gulleys. These are common places to find gold nuggets unearthed by the water and deposited in the gulleys.
   
   In those areas where moving water can be found, Arizona creeks and rivers also have the potential for gold nugget discoveries. The work usually involves sifting through the river silt and dirt, which can be a bit of a production to find small nuggets moved by water.
   
   Yavapai County provides a good location for creeks and dry washes. Numerous rain gulleys and creeks exist all over the Bradshaw Mountain foothills. Named creeks and washes that have potential for gold nugget finds, however small, include French, Big Bug and Agua Fria.
   
   In Greenlee County, three locations can provide water-prospecting for gold washed down by rivers: Eagle Creek, Chase Creek and San Francisco River.

Mountain Areas

3. For dry harvesting of gold, Mohave County includes a number of locations for gold-digging. The Red Hill placer diggings and Printer's Gulch both have potential for nugget finds. They are found in the Mohave Mountains, a little less than 20 miles outside of Topock.

Spelunking for Gold

4. In terms of traditional gold-hunting --- going into caves and mining for gold in Arizona --- there are few options. Most of the old mining locations have been stripped from previous activities. Additionally, much of the land is on public government zones where you need prior permission to mine.
   
   Private mining claims basically mean the property is off-limits unless you get the owner's permission. Many gold digging areas are already claimed in Arizona. It would be easier for person to join a mining association and use their claims for recreational nugget finding than to attempt to weave through property rights of various owners.