Happy New Year!
Did everyone make a resolution to send me a great question this year? At the very least, I hope you all made resolutions to get outside and explore Central Oregon. Speaking of outdoor activities, I was recently looking into the topic of rockhounding for our sister magazine, Bend Nest, and decided to dig deeper into the related inquiry sent by a reader: “Has gold been found in Central Oregon?”
The short answer is yes. And if you’re lucky, you can still find some! But not so fast, the population of Central Oregon is growing quickly enough, and we don’t want another mad rush of prospectors to overwhelm the area. History tells us that the precious metal was a huge factor in the settlement of the West. Much like the infamous gold rushes in California and Alaska, many people came to Oregon with grand hopes and dreams of riches. For most, the dream never came to fruition, but the people decided to stick around.
Oregon’s gold was found mostly in the Blue Mountains, and suddenly nearby towns like Sumpter boomed with activity as miners flocked to the area. At one point, Baker City was known as the “Metropolis of Eastern Oregon,” ranking as the third-largest town in the state. Though early gold discoveries were centered around these areas, eager prospectors later found smaller amounts in the Ochoco Mountains.
I love to hear local legends, and a few longtime Oregonians have shared the story of the Blue Bucket nuggets, albeit different versions. One story claims that children came home from playing outdoors with blue buckets full of gold. Naturally, the parents wanted to know where they found it, but for some reason the kids could not retrace their steps to the lucrative spot.
Another recounts the tale of emigrants who were following Stephen Meek from Fort Bosie to the Willamette Valley. When they passed through Central Oregon, they camped, and while fetching water from a stream, they stumbled upon large nuggets. These lucky travelers shared their story, but again, they couldn’t recall the exact location. The fruitless search for the famous Blue Bucket mine began, but it remained an elusive myth.
The story of gold discovery in the Ochoco Mountains is a bit more grounded in reality. In 1871, prospectors discovered gold in the riverbeds and streams of the Ochoco Mountains, sparking an intense rush. It was a short-lived experience, and over time, more lucrative resources, such as cinnabar (from which mercury is extracted), took precedence.
Some of these mines still exist, and if you want an outdoor adventure with a tinge of history, hiking near the Ochoco mining ruins is totally worth it. As the name implies, they are ruins, so best be careful while exploring.
But let’s get back to what readers really want to hear about: gold that still exists in Central Oregon. Many of the region’s rivers and streams, particularly those in the Ochoco and John Day area, remain popular among amateur prospectors. In fact, there’s been a resurgence of interest in recreational gold panning recently. It’s more of a fun hobby rather than a way to make a living, and most people seem to do it for the opportunity to spend time outside. While you may not walk away with a gold nugget the size of a fist, there’s always the thrill of uncovering a few shiny flakes that make the experience exciting.
In fact, after digging into my research, I was amazed at all the resources available to prospective gold hunters. There are tons of YouTube videos, online forums and even a recreational map on Oregon.gov that lead enthusiasts to the best spots for prospecting. The Bureau of Land Management allows gold panning without any restrictions in many areas.
As amateur rockhounds, my family and I often take trips to search for obsidian, thundereggs, petrified wood and other cool stones to add to our collection. We have yet to pan for gold, but it sounds like a fun way to get outdoors and try something different. From the videos I watched, the chances of finding a fortune are slim, but perhaps our chances are better than hitting the Mega Millions!
Got a question? Send it to savageglobetrotters@gmail.com
This article appears in The Source Weekly January 30, 2025.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
