Pan for gold

Hidden in the rivers and streams throughout the Uwharries is treasure just waiting to be found. Recreational gold panning is allowed on most of the Uwharrie National Forest. No fee or permit is required as long as only shovel and pan techniques are used and no significant stream disturbance results.

Placer gold found in streambeds, in most cases, does not exist in sufficient quantities to constitute economically recoverable deposits. Sluice or "shaker" boxes are allowed, but no mechanized or motorized equipment, such as suction dredges are allowed.

Rock hounding is hunting and collecting rocks and minerals as a hobby. A wide variety of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock types are found within the Uwharrie National Forest, and many individual minerals are found in association with these rocks. As a rule, there is no objection to taking a handful of rock, mineral, or petrified wood specimens from the surface of the National Forest System lands.

No fee or permit is required as long as:
• The specimens are for personal, non-commercial use.
• The specimens are not of archaeological value.
• No mechanical equipment or blasting is utilized.
• No significant disturbance results.
• Collection does not conflict with existing mineral permits, leases, or sales.

For more information:
www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/uwharrie/index.htm

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