Is there gold in Pennsylvania? Yes. The Keystone State has produced thousands of ounces of gold, primarily as a byproduct of iron mining. The mines near Cornwall in Lebanon County produced more than 60,000 ounces of gold from magnetite processing, a considerable amount for a state most people associate only with coal and steel. Beyond byproduct gold, placer deposits exist throughout southeastern and northern Pennsylvania, and the largest known nugget found in the state weighed over 11 ounces (discovered in 1938).
Pennsylvania has two distinct gold sources. In the southeastern counties, gold weathers out of diabase and other igneous rocks, migrating into streams as fine placer gold. York and Lancaster Counties are the best known areas for this type. In the northern part of the state, glacial gold from Canada’s Abitibi Gold Belt was deposited by Pleistocene ice sheets, the same source responsible for gold in New York and other northeastern states.
Gold prospecting has an active community in Pennsylvania. The Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA) has four chapters in the state, and prospecting clubs maintain claims on several productive creeks. Gold was first reported from the state as early as 1820, when it was noted at Chickies Rock in Lancaster County.
TL;DR
- Gold Present: Yes. Over 60,000 ounces produced as a byproduct from the Cornwall iron mine alone. Placer gold in numerous streams in southeastern and northern counties. Largest nugget: 11+ ounces (1938).
- Best Region: York County (Dillsburg, Rossville, Wellsville, “Lucky Creek” tributary of Muddy Creek). Lancaster County (Peters Creek, Susquehanna River, Gap Nickel Mines area, Serpentine Barrens). Northern counties with glacial deposits.
- Gold Type: Mostly fine placer gold (flour and flakes) weathered from diabase and igneous rocks. Occasional larger flakes and rare nuggets. Some gold in quartz veins finely disseminated throughout rock. Platinum reportedly found at Peters Creek.
- Top Spot: Peters Creek in southern Lancaster County is considered the best gold panning stream in southeastern Pennsylvania. In York County, “Lucky Creek” (an unnamed tributary of Muddy Creek near Castle Fin) has produced the largest known gold specimen from the area (0.75 inches).
- Legal Note: Recreational panning is generally permitted on state forest and park lands. Check specific restrictions at each location. Always get permission on private property. Gettysburg National Military Park prohibits prospecting.
- Verdict: Pennsylvania has genuine gold, more than most people realize. The Cornwall mine’s 60,000+ ounce byproduct output proves real gold exists. Active prospecting clubs provide access and community. Strictly recreational but rewarding for patient prospectors.
Byproduct Production
The Cornwall iron mine (Lebanon County) produced more than 60,000 ounces of gold from magnetite processing. The deposit was a skarn formed by replacement of limestone by Jurassic hydrothermal activity from a diabase intrusion. The Grace Mine in Morgantown also produced gold as a byproduct.
Two Gold Sources
Southeast PA: Gold weathers out of diabase and crystalline igneous rocks. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought on diabase ridges (Little Round Top, Cemetery Ridge) where gold exists in streams below. North PA: Glacial gold from the Abitibi Gold Belt deposited by Pleistocene ice sheets.
York County
Best county for gold in PA. “Lucky Creek” (unnamed tributary of Muddy Creek near Castle Fin) is the top producer. The largest personally observed specimen was 0.75 inches. Gold also found around Dillsburg, Grantham, Wellsville, Rossville, Shrewsbury, and Winterstown. Codorus Creek produces gold flakes.
Lancaster County
Peters Creek (tributary to Susquehanna) is considered the best panning stream in southeastern PA. Small platinum nuggets have reportedly been found there. The Susquehanna River contains fine gold. The Serpentine Barrens (former chromite mines) and Gap Nickel Mines area also produce gold.
Historic Reports
Gold first reported at Chickies Rock in Lancaster County (1820). Samuel Gordon’s 1920 “Mineralogy of Pennsylvania” mentions York County gold. In the 1970s, prospectors near Hunterstown, Adams County, found small flakes. The 11+ ounce nugget (1938) remains the largest documented find.
Prospecting Community
Four GPAA chapters operate in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Prospectors club educates the public. Geri Jones and Donald Schmerling wrote a book on panning in southeastern PA. Active community with outings and claim access.
Where Is There Gold in Pennsylvania?
Is there gold in Pennsylvania that prospectors can find? Yes. While you will not get rich, patient prospectors regularly find fine gold in streams across southeastern Pennsylvania. York and Lancaster Counties are the most productive, and joining a prospecting club greatly improves access and results.
York County
York County is the best county for gold prospecting in Pennsylvania. Placer gold is associated with the diabase deposits that cap many ridges. As these igneous rocks weather, gold is released and migrates downhill into streams. The top streams include those around Dillsburg, Grantham, Wellsville, and Rossville in the northern part of the county, and near Shrewsbury and Winterstown further south.
The best single stream in York County has been nicknamed “Lucky Creek,” an unnamed tributary of Muddy Creek near Castle Fin. The stream’s bedrock tilts upstream, forming natural ledges that trap heavy minerals. The largest personally documented gold specimen from this area measured 0.75 inches. Other productive areas include tributaries to Muddy Creek near Delta, on property of the Delta Fish and Game Club.
Lancaster County
Peters Creek in southern Lancaster County, running into the Susquehanna River in Fulton Township, is widely considered the best gold panning stream in southeastern Pennsylvania. Small platinum nuggets have reportedly been found alongside gold here. The Susquehanna River itself contains fine gold, and the upstream side of river islands can concentrate heavy minerals.
The Serpentine Barrens area, where historic chromite mines operated, produces gold associated with the unique serpentine geology. The Gap Nickel Mines area is another productive location. The Conestoga River has also been cited as a popular prospecting stream.
Northern Pennsylvania (Glacial Gold)
The northern part of the state was covered by glaciers that deposited gold from the Canadian Abitibi Gold Belt. Wyoming County in northeastern Pennsylvania has been specifically noted for placer gold in streams. The New Albany Gold Mine and Three Brothers Gold Mine operated near New Albany in Bradford County. Glacial moraine deposits throughout northern PA may contain scattered gold.
Best Places to Look for Gold in Pennsylvania
- Peters Creek (Lancaster County): Best overall panning stream in southeastern PA. Platinum also reported. Focus on bends and boulder areas where heavy minerals concentrate.
- “Lucky Creek” near Castle Fin (York County): Top York County stream. Natural bedrock ledges trap gold. Largest known specimen: 0.75 inches. Access via Muddy Creek tributaries.
- Susquehanna River (Lancaster County): Fine gold throughout. Pan the upstream side of islands where heavy minerals concentrate. A large river that collects gold from many sources.
- Streams near Dillsburg, Grantham, Wellsville (York County): Multiple streams produce placer gold. Most will yield at least small amounts if you search in the right spots.
- Serpentine Barrens/Gap Nickel Mines (Lancaster County): Gold associated with chromite mine geology. Unique serpentine rock environment.
- French Creek (Mercer County): Northwestern PA stream with gold deposits from glacial activity. Scenic stream with mineral rich deposits.
- Wyoming County streams (northeastern PA): Glacial gold deposits. Good potential in streams cutting through moraine material.
- New Albany area (Bradford County): Site of the New Albany Gold Mine and Three Brothers Gold Mine. Fine gold in surrounding creeks.
- Codorus Creek (York County): Gold flakes documented. Multiple access points.
- Near Cornwall (Lebanon County): The iron mine produced 60,000+ ounces of gold. Streams draining the area may contain placer gold washed from the mineralized zone.
History and Geology of Gold in Pennsylvania
Gold has been known in Pennsylvania since at least 1820, when it was reported at Chickies Rock in Lancaster County and at iron mines in the Hellam Hills of York County. Samuel Gordon’s classic 1920 publication “Mineralogy of Pennsylvania” mentions gold in York County but discloses no specific locations. In the 1970s, a group of prospectors systematically explored southeastern Pennsylvania. They searched near Hunterstown in Adams County and found small flakes, making it the first confirmed find in this modern gold prospecting era. Peters Creek became a target and produced gold, and the search expanded into York County, where multiple productive streams were identified.
The Cornwall iron mine in Lebanon County provided the most significant gold production. The deposit was a massive magnetite body formed when Jurassic hydrothermal fluids from a diabase intrusion replaced limestone. Processing the iron ore yielded more than 60,000 ounces of gold. Bethlehem Steel eventually owned and closed the mines in 1979. The Grace Mine in Morgantown also reported gold from magnetite processing.
Geologically, southeastern Pennsylvania has two gold sources. Diabase (a dark igneous rock) intrudes throughout the Triassic basin of the Piedmont, forming ridges and sills. Gold is finely disseminated throughout this rock. Weathering releases gold particles that migrate into streams. The Battle of Gettysburg was fought on these diabase ridges (Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, Cemetery Ridge), and the streams around the battlefield contain gold. However, prospecting within Gettysburg National Military Park is illegal.
The eastern part of the state also has crystalline metamorphic rocks that produce potential lode gold in quartz veins. Combined with the northern glacial gold deposits, Pennsylvania has three distinct gold sources across its geography.
Tips for Gold Prospecting in Pennsylvania
- Join a prospecting club. The GPAA has four chapters in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Prospectors club organizes outings and educational events. Club membership provides access to claims on productive creeks, which is especially valuable given Pennsylvania’s private land challenges.
- Focus on York and Lancaster Counties. These two counties have the best documented gold and the most active prospecting community. Peters Creek and the Muddy Creek tributaries are proven producers.
- Pan carefully for fine gold. Most Pennsylvania gold is fine. Use a gold pan with slow, deliberate technique. A sluice box processes more material and improves fine gold recovery.
- Look for black sand. Magnetite and chromite black sands are strong indicators of gold in Pennsylvania. If you are finding abundant black sand in your pan, you are likely in a productive area. Follow the black sand concentrations.
- Try the Gettysburg area streams (outside the park). Gold is confirmed in Plum Run and streams draining the diabase ridges around Gettysburg. Prospecting inside the National Military Park is illegal, but streams outside park boundaries are accessible with landowner permission.
- Check for platinum. Small platinum particles have been reported alongside gold at Peters Creek in Lancaster County. If you find unusually heavy silver colored grains in your gold pan, they may be platinum.
- Get landowner permission. Most productive streams run through private property. Pennsylvania state forests and parks generally allow recreational panning, but check specific restrictions. Metal detecting may require additional permits in some areas.
Resources
- Rare Gold Nuggets: Prospecting for Gold in Pennsylvania for county by county information including the Cornwall mine production and northern glacial gold.
- Gold Rush Nuggets: Where to Find Gold in Pennsylvania for specific town and stream recommendations across the state.
- TreasureNet: Panning in Pennsylvania for firsthand prospecting reports, specific stream information, and the “Lucky Creek” discovery details.
Conclusion
Is there gold in Pennsylvania? Yes, more than most people realize. The Cornwall iron mine alone produced over 60,000 ounces of gold as a byproduct, and placer gold exists in streams throughout southeastern and northern Pennsylvania. York and Lancaster Counties lead the way for recreational prospecting, with Peters Creek and the Muddy Creek tributaries as the most productive streams.
Pennsylvania will not make anyone wealthy, but the active prospecting community, the surprising history (gold under the Gettysburg battlefield!), and the genuine finds by recreational prospectors make it a rewarding hobby state. Join a local club for the best access and knowledge. For more gold in the region, see Is There Gold in New York?, Is There Gold in New Jersey?, and Is There Gold in Maryland?. Browse the full state directory to find gold near you.
FAQ
Where is the best place to find gold in Pennsylvania?
Peters Creek in southern Lancaster County is considered the best panning stream. In York County, “Lucky Creek” near Castle Fin is the top producer. The Susquehanna River and streams around Dillsburg also produce gold.
Is gold panning legal in Pennsylvania?
Generally yes on state forest and park lands, but check specific restrictions. Always get permission on private property. Prospecting in Gettysburg National Military Park is illegal. No statewide permit required for recreational panning.
What type of gold is found in Pennsylvania?
Mostly fine placer gold (flour and flakes) weathered from diabase and igneous rocks. Occasional larger flakes and rare nuggets (the largest was 11+ ounces in 1938). Small platinum particles reported at Peters Creek. Gold also found as a byproduct in iron ore.
How much gold has Pennsylvania produced?
The Cornwall iron mine alone produced over 60,000 ounces as a byproduct of iron processing. Total placer gold production is undocumented but small. Pennsylvania’s gold is strictly recreational for modern prospectors.
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Ryan Conlon is the founder of Pan for Treasure.
A lifelong gold panning enthusiast, he created this site to help beginners learn the ropes and share practical tips from his own time on the creek. [email protected]