While it's not known for gold as much as places out west like California, Maryland does offer some opportunities for prospecting. Don't expect to get rich -- most gold found here is small-grained as opposed to hearty nuggets -- but it can still be a fun way to spend the day outdoors, acting as if you've taken a step back in time.
According to the Maryland Geographical Survey, gold has been discovered at 45 sites in the state since the 1800s. These regions are located in the northern and central part of Maryland, primarily northwest of Chesapeake Bay. While much of the mineral was found in mines, some gold has been found and can still be found by panning local streams. Per the Maryland Geographical Survey, most of the gold found in Maryland is near the Great Falls area, which lies in the George Washington Memorial Parkway (nps.gov).
The Maryland Geological Survey recommends prospecting downstream from vein quartz. This type of quartz, as its name suggests, cuts through a rock in a long line, which looks like a human vein. Gold will become freed from the rock with the passage of time and weathering, flowing downstream with the current. Gold is heavier than sand, so it will sink to the bottom of a stream bed.
Before you set out to go gold panning on nationally owned parkland, keep in mind that you must get permission from the Superintendent of the Parks. On Maryland state parkland, the law requires all prospectors to get permission from the Maryland Forest and Park Service before doing any panning. Naturally, before you attempt to access any privately owned land, you must get permission from its owner or you will be trespassing. While it's not against the law, entering old mines to look for gold may be very dangerous. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) can tell you which federal public lands are open to mineral panning.
Since most Maryland gold panning takes place in streams, the best equipment you can bring is a gold pan with a screen and a shovel. Gold will be beneath the sand and other debris that you pull from the stream, so a screen helps you catch the gold. Most gold panned in Maryland is fine-grained, making a screen an even more important addition to your pan.
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