Arapahoe Bar Gold Panning Park

Really read the review. If you're looking to get rich? Not the place. If you want to connect with Colorado heritage it's great. You're panning in the same spot people were 150+ years ago.

It's alluvial flour gold (tiny gold flakes carried by the river as part of loose sediment deposits). And it's not a rich deposit. But it's refreshed every year by the spring floods and you don't need a claim. If you want to spend time alone during the school months, go on a weekday. You'll get the odd person that wants to have a conversation. But people are generally friendly except for the few shisters who want to sell you some gold finding services. If they want money ask them for their permit. I will say don't expect to find much as day tourist prospector (IE IF YOU want to pan for gold and want your kids to see something, pay to be a tourist and go to a place that can guarantee they see gold). If you want to go regularly get a sluice and be aware that some days the river just won't cooperate. It's rocky soil. If you want to see 10-20 flakes in your final pan be prepared to sluice for at least 2 hours. But I will also say, I see wild life often: Fish, crayfish, snakes, frogs, minnows, the odd turtle, lots of birds, spiders any insect in CO that lives on the river. It's wonderful for that. Lately the river has been oily and kind of orange. I don't know if it's leaks from the construction site or a natural occurrence.

Nice bit of the outdoors surrounded by concrete and asphalt. Nice walking trail, wildlife and of course the water. There is gold in that thar water boy.

Beautiful scenery and great for paning gold

Great for beginning prospectors, hobbyist or just a time out with your family. I've gone here multiple times and always find something. The highway is close but when I was in the river I barely noticed it at all. There are some rules for the area to keep the park open to everyone but they aren't asking too much and simply put, leave the site better then when you got there

This was the first location that I ever tried gold panning. The location is nice and conveniently located. There is a decent amount of parking available. In addition, it is pretty clean and maintained well by the regulars who gold pan in the area. I've been to this location a handful of times and have never left disappointed. I'd definitely recommend it for a nice day out with the family.