Arizona Gold Rush 2025: Top Spots for Prospectors
by Goldminingtips Admin
Why Arizona is a Gold Prospector’s Dream
(Quartzsite, Rich Hill & More!)
Arizona’s desert landscapes hide a secret: vast gold deposits that still attract modern prospectors. While historic Yavapai County gets attention, surprising hotspots like Quartzsite dominate today’s placer claims.
After carrying out some research, we reveal where active miners are finding gold right now.
Arizona’s Top Gold Prospecting Areas
Plomosa District:
- Ghost town of Plomosa: 233 active claims | state’s highest density|
- La Cholla & Middle Camp: Worked since the 1860s, these Depression-era hotspots still buzz: |
Pro Tip: Focus on drywashing near granite bedrock and the gravel from the sediment of ancient riverbeds / waterways.
Rich Hill, Yavapai County
The legendary "Weaver-Rich Hill" district birthed Arizona’s largest nugget.
Pro Tip: Start your hunt in cracks and crevices in granite bedrock (top of Rich Hill).
💡Try checking deep gravels (>50 ft) in Antelope/Weaver Creeks.
Wickenburg Area (San Domingo, Vulture & Black Rock)
North and south of Wickenburg, three districts:
- San Domingo (Maricopa Co.): 120 claims |Historic large-scale dredge operations |
- Vulture District: 88 claims |
- Black Rock (Yavapai Co.): 118 claims | Unexplored potential with high claim density |
Lost Basin & Gold Basin (Mohave Co.)
Remote but rewarding:- King Tut Placers (Lost Basin): 51 claims |
- Gold Basin: 50 claims |
Squaw Creek & Humbug Creek (Yavapai Co.)
Underrated gems near Black Canyon City:
- Humbug Creek Drainage | Multiple historic districts (Tip Top, Tiger, etc.).
- Squaw Creek/Aqua Fria: 53 claims
Arizona’s Top Gold Areas (Active Placer Claims)
| Rank | Location | Active Claims |
|------|-------------------|-------------------|---------------|
| 1 | Plomosa (Quartzsite) | 233 |
| 2 | Rich Hill | 179 |
| 3 | Rich Hill | 127 |
| 4 | N. Plomosa | 123 |
| 5 | San Domingo | 120 |
| 6 | Middle Camp | 118 |
| 7 | Black Rock | 118 |
| 8 | Vulture | 88 |
| 9 | Black Canyon | 94 |
Gold Prospecting in Arizona: FAQs
Q: Where’s the most gold in Arizona?
A: Quartzsite (La Paz/Yuma) has 3 top-10 townships, outperforming historic Yavapai spots. Rich Hill (Yavapai) and San Domingo (Maricopa) are also elite.
Q: Can I prospect on public land?
A: Yes! Most active claims are on BLM land. Always check current claim maps via Arizona Gold Map or BLM’s LR2000 database.
Q: What tools / equipment work best?
A: Drywashers dominate in arid zones (Quartzsite, Wickenburg). Metal detectors excel in Rich Hill’s crevices.
Q: When’s the best season?
A: October-April (avoid summer heat!). Monsoon rains (July-Aug) can refresh placer deposits.
Q: Do I need a permit*
A: Free Recreational Mining Permit suffices for small-scale prospecting. No permit needed for panning, only if you plan to use mechanised equipment (i.e. dredges)
Check out other gold hotspots in the US:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Nevada
Ready to Start?
We’ll guide your adventure. Check out our other resources:
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