Gold Panning in Alaska

2 locations in Alaska checked against the rules of the agency that manages each one: 2 allowed. Each page gives the permit requirements, limits, restrictions and penalties, with the primary sources it was checked against.

Rules last checked in September 2026

2 Allowed

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Allowed

Crow Creek Mine

Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage·Gold Panning

Gold panning is allowed at Crow Creek Mine for a $39 adult fee, with no government permit, and you keep your gold. Open May 15 to September 15.

This is private, family-owned mining property. The panning fee ($39 adult, $35 senior or Alaska resident/military, $30 child in 2026) is your permission. No government permit is needed to hand-pan
Open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily, May 15–September 15 only. Outside that window there's no legal panning on the property

Allowed

Nome Public Beaches (East & West Beach Public Mining Areas)

Alaska, Nome Census Area·Gold Panning

Gold panning at Nome is allowed with no permit, but only in the surf below mean high tide inside the public mining areas. The dry beach above it is private, and any suction dredge needs a DNR permit.

Pans, sluice boxes, rocker boxes and high bankers need no permit, but only in the surf below mean high tide within the East and West Beach public mining areas
State land starts at mean high tide; the beach and tundra above it are private, so mining or camping there without the owner's permission is trespass