Gold prospecting can be an excellent recreational activity for the whole family as well as a profitable hobby. Knowledge and skills can help you close the gap between these two ways of looking at gold prospecting. Nothing is better than a book about the secrets and techniques of gold prospecting to learn more about this practice.
Here are the best gold prospecting books:
- For beginners: Recreational Gold Prospecting for Fun & Profit by G. Butler and Paul D. Morrison
- For experts: Gold Mining in the 21st Century by D. McCracken
- On gold panning: Gold Panning Instructions by D. McCracken
- On electronic prospecting: Metal Detecting Gold by M.D. Smith
While these are the best ones on the market, there are other books that you should have in your collection. Read on to discover more!
Table of Contents
What Defines a Good Prospecting Book?
Today, there are thousands of volumes on the market on how to retrieve gold through prospecting. Some are area-specific, while others teach you the fundamental instructions to start gold panning. However, not all books are as useful or suited to all prospectors.
In the sections below, you will have the chance to learn about the best books on gold prospecting, by category. These have been picked among the ones on the market thanks to their unique features such as:
- Easiness to understand – not all gold hunters are also experts in geology and rock formations. While this is fundamental knowledge to have while prospecting, any-level prospector needs to understand what to look for in a particular area.
- Clear instructions – the books below offer clear and understandable guidance on how to perform gold prospecting methods, provided by experienced prospectors. Without those, the knowledge regarding geology and topology you have accumulated might not yield the results you hoped to see.
- Practical resources – to succeed in the field of prospecting, gold hunters must keep themselves informed and up to date with the latest gold prospecting innovations. These might be challenging to find without the right indications.
- Achievable results – there is no doubt regarding the recreational fun gold prospecting can offer you and your family. However, if you are planning to invest more in improving your skills and equipment, you will need to know what to expect from your efforts.
Best Books for Beginner Prospectors
The collection of books in this section aims to create an excellent introduction for those who are new to the field of prospecting. Some of these resources can be helpful for exper gold hunters who would like to refresh their knowledge of the basics of exploration.
Simultaneously, these volumes are excellent for anyone who is starting to prospect in a different area or location and would like to gain a deeper understanding of geology.
Recreational Gold Prospecting for Fun & Profit by Gail Butler and Paul D. Morrison
Published in 1998, this manual is one of the best ones for beginner prospectors, and it is just as actual today as it was when first released. This book is not only packed with all the information you need to get started in the field of prospecting, but it also takes a unique, entertaining approach to this practice.
The author understands the benefits of gold prospecting from a recreational point of view. At the same time, he uncovers the secrets of finding gold in many locations. Alongside the personal experience of the author, in this book, you will find all the answers to the questions you might have when starting to prospect for gold as a hobby.
Recreational Gold Prospecting for Fun & Profit offers tips regarding what to bring on your outings, where you should go to look for gold, and how to handle it once you have brought it home. Additionally, you can make use of all the tips and advice written in a “user-friendly” style and easy to understand.
Gold Prospecting & Placer Deposits: Finding Gold Made Simpler by Mr. Adam Gregory Koch
Adam Gregory Koch, a professional prospector in the Pacific Northwest, has crafted this book to pass on to others’ extensive knowledge of prospecting. The pages contain the views of the author, as well as practical tips and indications to increase your chances of finding gold in gold-bearing grounds.
Moreover, this book aims at novices looking to find a simple approach to this field through understandable terms and clear instructions. However, there are not only facts in it! By reading through the chapters, you will find the author’s personal experience and views and stories.
Ultimately, this updated version of Gold Prospecting & Placer Deposits: Finding Gold Made Simpler allows you to find the best locations for you to prospect and find gold.
Gold!Gold!: How and Where to Prospect for Gold (Prospecting and Treasure Hunting) by Joe F. Petralia
This beginner manual to the field of gold prospecting is a must-have for anybody looking at getting a comprehensive introduction to the sector. The book includes a summary of the Gold Rush history, as well as several tips regarding where to find gold.
However, reading further, you will find information regarding types of deposits, geology, and prospecting in streambeds. Thanks to the little investment necessary to include this book in your collection, Gold!Gold!: How and Where to Prospect for Gold has become a staple for beginners and intermediates alike.
Best Books for Intermediate and Expert Prospectors
Once you can enjoy a better understanding of the basics of prospecting, you are likely to know more about how to find increased amounts of gold. For better results, improving the knowledge you might already have is essential.
This knowledge should extend to understanding the geology of the location, but you should not overlook the importance of refining your prospecting or panning skills. The books below aim to build on the information you have already been using for some time.
Gold Mining in the 21st Century by Dave McCracken
Undoubtedly the best book for intermediate and expert prospectors, this volume is also an excellent choice for a beginner looking at taking their hobby to the next level. Dave McCracken has been able to compile one of the most exhaustive guides to prospecting on the market through its extensive gold prospecting experience.
Without using confusing lingo and complicated terms, the author covers all the topics relating to gold prospecting, from the history behind the gold rush to panning and dredging techniques. In each chapter and subsection, you will be able to find all the information about the equipment to include in your kit and the methods you need to refine.
While the author does not indicate specific locations where to look for gold, he teaches you everything you should know to read the geology of an area and identify the vital tell-tale signs that reveal gold.
One of the features that make this book ideal for intermediate prospectors is the full range of prospecting techniques covered, from panning to sluicing, using metal detectors, dry panning, and dredging. Independently on what method you would like to try, Gold Mining in the 21st Century is an exhaustive book with all the information you need to book your next prospecting trip soon.
Fists Full Of Gold by Chris Ralph and John O’Dell
Unlike many other books on the market that focus on a specific technique to find gold, this book’s main aim is to help you learn more about the geology of gold-bearing locations. This knowledge is essential for intermediate prospectors to increase their chances of finding gold, yet this broad field can often seem intimidating to explore.
However, the author has packed this book with all the information you need to find gold deposits, in placer or hard rock. Due to the simple terms used, Fists Full Of Gold allows you to obtain a better understanding of the geology essential to find gold while leaving the unnecessary information out.
Coupled up with the massive range of information in this handbook is the author’s extensive knowledge of the field and prospecting techniques. If you are looking for a manual that can refine your skills and experience, there is no more comprehensive book on the market than Fists Full Of Gold.
Best Books on Gold Panning
Gold panning is the oldest method to prospect for gold[1], and it is still one of the most widely used by prospectors worldwide. Due to the limited investment needed to get started in this field and the fun such an activity yields, panning is the preferred prospecting strategy by beginners and hobbyists.
Undoubtedly, panning can limit the amount of streambed material that can be processed in a determined time frame. At the same time, using a pan can help you learn more about the basics of prospecting and enjoy time outdoors.
Additionally, gold panning is allowed in most public-use lands and locations, so any prospectors can try it without obtaining particular permits. Expert prospectors can still find this skill useful, especially when they need to sample a terrain[2] before filing a mining claim.
Whether you are new to prospecting or need to sample a location, the books below can help you refine your skill.
Gold Panning Instructions by Dave McCracken
When it comes down to learning a new skill from a book, there are particular requirements you should look for in a manual. Aside from clear instructions and simple terms, it is essential to find clear pictures of the step-by-step processes you should be putting into place.
That is why this booklet, written by Dave McCracken, has marked a new way of learning the skills necessary for successful gold panning. Fully illustrated, this manual is crafted through many years of experience in the field that the author has lived.
In the field of prospecting, gold panning is considered an essential skill to have, helping you build a necessary base for more in-depth knowledge. This concise yet exhaustive book will guide you through every step with simple terms and clear pictures.
The New Gold Panning Is Easy by Roy Lagal
This alternative booklet was published in 1992, but it is still extremely relevant, especially for today’s beginner prospectors. The easy terms used in the instructions and the explicit pictures ensure that you can understand gold panning in just a few hours before heading to the gold-bearing site.
Additionally, this book sets itself apart by approaching the topic of gold prospecting in a fun, recreational way. If you wish to learn how to prospect for gold with a pan to enjoy hours outdoors, The New Gold Panning Is Easy manual represents an affordable and accessible alternative for all prospectors.
Best Books on Electronic Prospecting
Electronic prospecting is an exciting alternative to panning for gold, enormously appreciated in areas where streams and bodies of water are not easily accessible[3]. However, using a metal/mineral detector to prospect for gold might require entirely different skills from the ones you have been employing for panning.
While the knowledge regarding geology and rock formation is still essential in this case, prospectors should consider investing in manuals and resources specific to the field of electronic prospecting.
Additionally, using a metal detector to find gold can be completely different from retrieving any sort of minerals and metals. To prospect for gold with a detector, you must understand the way gold targets[4] sound and how to identify them beyond highly-mineralized grounds.
Metal Detecting Gold: A Beginner’s Guide to Modern Gold Prospecting by Mark D Smith
This volume is the most valuable one on the market if you have been interested in trying to find gold through the use of metal detectors. Aside from explaining the basics of this technique, the book explores in depth the strategies to find nuggets in soil or sand.
Written by Mark Smith, expert treasure hunter and detectorist, this book works as an all-encompassing guide that leads you through every step of finding gold through a metal detector. Starting with the choice of metal detector, you will discover the best places to look for gold and the techniques to use while on gold-bearing grounds.
While you will hardly find as much information on the subject in any other manuals on the market, this booklet is only just over 180 pages long and can be found in the Kindle version. These features mean that you can easily carry the book with you on your prospecting outings and trips.
The simple terms used in the narrative and the little investment required to include this book in your collection make it the first choice for novices and hobbyists. However, holding some electronic prospecting secrets, this manual can be useful for esports as well.
The Metal Detecting Bible: Helpful Tips, Expert Tricks and Insider Secrets for Finding Hidden Treasures by Brandon Neice
This modern book by expert detectorist Brandon Neice covers all the knowledge you need to have to make your prospecting trips more successful. While this manual does not solely focus on retrieving gold fragments or nuggets, it is essential to understand other aspects of this practice, such as how to tune and set up your device.
Some of the best pieces of information you will be able to find in this manual include:
- Where to search with your metal detector
- Leveraging GPS technologies
- Choosing the best detector for your goals
- How to gain permission and access to individual sites
- Identify the difference between metals
- Using recovery tools
- Selling your findings.
Ultimately, this book is ideal if you are planning to use your detector to identify and recover a variety of materials aside from gold.
Best Books on Gold Prospecting per Location
It is undeniable that every gold-bearing location is different and requires different knowledge. Whether you are looking at making the most out of your hometown or planning a trip to another state, you should consider investing in a location-specific volume.
These books offer you all the information you need to prospect for gold in a site that you are not too familiar with. The books below can help you have fun while prospecting legally since the laws and policies that regulate gold prospecting activities vary from State to State.
Additionally, site-specific guides are perfect if you need to understand the geology of a location better before or during your trip. Unfortunately, some areas are still not covered by any literature, and, in most cases, area-specific books relate to the most gold-bearing locations in the world.
Finding Gold in Colorado: A Guide to Colorado’s casual gold prospecting, mining history and sightseeing by Kevin Singel and Laura A Hoeppner
Colorado is one of the most sought-after destinations for gold prospectors worldwide. Aside from offering high chances of finding gold, it also boasts beautiful sceneries to enjoy with your whole family.
This particular book is ideal if you are planning an introductory trip to colorado, and includes the history and facts of the gold prospecting and mining tradition in Colorado. Through this book, you will be able to find out what are the best districts, museums, and mines to visit, alongside timings and opening hours of the operators.
Additionally, the book contains an up-to-date record of all the public lands in which you can spend a day prospecting for gold without the risk of violating other prospectors’ claims. These areas are both in urban locations and remote sites, which allow you to choose what sort of experience you would like to have in Colorado.
This book’s affordability and the Kindle version available makes it the perfect travel book prospector visiting Colorado.
Gold Panning California: A Guide to the Area’s Best Sites for Gold by Garret Romaine
Due to its unique geology, California has become one of the significant international hotspots for professional prospectors, gold miners, and hobbyists. While there is gold to be retrieved in this State, visitors should know that some regulations and laws will require you to prospect only in certain areas and with the relevant documents.
This book is the primary resource to acquire if you wish to navigate the best gold-bearing locations in California. The modern outline of this book makes it a fun and informative manual to read. Simultaneously, the clear images and in-depth information contained here offer essential indication for any level prospector.
In the book’s chapters, you will find:
- Up-to-date records of the areas open for gold panning in California
- Information about museums, shops, and exhibitions
- Full-color, clear images
- Historical information
- GPS coordinates and driving directions
- The State’s geological background
- Rules, regulations, and relevant restrictions
Where to Find Gold in the Desert by J. Klein
Finding gold nuggets or flour in areas away from streambeds and bodies of water can be tricky without the right knowledge and skills. You will need this book to guide you through the relevant techniques if you are planning to visit any desert area in America’s Southwest.
Written by Jim Klein, a veteran prospector, and miner, the book includes secrets regarding where to find gold in the desert and how to retrieve it. While first released in 1992, the book has been more recently revised and edited to add up-to-date information regarding locations in:
- California
- Nevada
- Utah
- Arizona
- New Mexico
As you read this book on how to find gold in the desert, you will find not only practical information on prospecting techniques but also interesting stories and tales that will make your trip much more entertaining.
Gold Panning the Pacific Northwest: A Guide to the Area’s Best Sites for Gold by Garret Romaine
No matter what your trip’s destination is, the Pacific Northwest is one of the richest areas in the world for gold and one of the most renowned by prospectors and miners. This vast region is dotted with gold-bearing grounds and rich locations, yet a guide is necessary.
Indeed, each State or area might have different regulations, and requirements prospectors must refer to when visiting. In this guide, you will find:
- Up-to-date prospecting information
- Accessible panning sites in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington
- Driving directions and GPS coordinates for all panning sites
- Full-color photos of the sites and geology
- The area’s geological background
- Rules and regulations relevant to each area
Best Books on the History of Gold Prospecting
While not strictly useful if you wish to improve your panning skills, no prospector can ignore the exciting history of gold prospecting. If you are thinking of enhancing your prospecting knowledge, the books below can give you an overview of what the Gold Rush was like and its consequences today.
Aside from being fascinating reads, these books allow you to understand what leads to today’s gold industry and what locations are still viable sites for prospectors. They are perfect for reading when taking a break from panning or in between prospecting trips.
The Age of Gold: The California Gold Rush and the New American Dream (Search and Recover) by H. W. Brands
This book, written by H.W. Brand, is based on the real-life event that shaped life during and after the 1850s Gold Rush in California. This novel follows the story of multiple characters such as prospectors and soldiers and offers you a unique multi-perspective view of the events.
While not strictly a book on the history of the gold industry in California, The Age of Gold takes you through entertaining stories and tales that you will not find in other books.
The Shirley Letters from California Mines in 1851-52 by Dame Shirley
Much more than a bare history book, this collection of letters from California mines offer you unique insights into the life of prospectors during the 19th century Gold Rush. The narrative of Dame Shirley has the power of showing and describing what the communities during these times have lived and felt.
If you are looking to find out more about what led to the Gold Rush and what was life like during these times, there is no better collection than the letters written by Dame Shirley. In this book, you will find humorous anecdotes and curiosities that make it an excellent read for all prospectors.
The Gold Rush by Ralph K. Andris
If you are looking for a fact-based book that can capture your interest at the same time, this great book on the history and consequences of the 1850s Gold Rush makes for the perfect read. The storyline will take you from the moment that the first prospectors found the first gold nugget to the area’s 500% population increase and industry development.
This book on the Gold Rush is easy to read, yet packed with information regarding this historical period. There is no better volume if you have been looking for a book to enjoy before or after an exciting prospecting trip.
Conclusion
Whether you are new to the activity of prospecting or you would like to get a more insightful perspective on panning techniques, these books can increase your knowledge and skills. Among others, Gold Mining in the 21st Century and Gold Panning Instructions by Dave McCracken standout for both beginners and experts.
These easy-to-read books offer you clear instructions on prospecting techniques and insights on the history of gold mining. While not all books are ideal for all prospectors, increasing your knowledge of the field is necessary to have better chances of finding gold.