Colorado’s 1859 gold rush built these mountains, and there’s still real gold in the creeks. Panning is a cheap, fun, family-friendly hobby — here’s the kit to get started. See our gold panning & mining guide for where to go.
At a glance: gold panning gear
The essentials
- Diameter: 10"
- Material: plastic
- Color: green
- 1/8” deep round base to better trap gold
- Two different types of riffles: shallow and deep
A gold pan — the one thing you truly need. A dual-riffle pan is all it takes to start swirling gravel in a Colorado creek. Cheap, durable, and Amazon’s Choice.
- Comprehensive 11-Piece Kit: Includes everything needed for gold prospecting - 3 gold pans in 8”, 10”, and 14” sizes, 2 sifting sieves, magnified tweezers, snuffer bottle, magnetic separator pen, sand scoop, and glass vials
- Versatile Gold Panning Tools: Features dual riffle gold pans for effective trapping of gold flakes and nuggets, and two mesh size sieves for material classification
- Specialized Prospecting Equipment: Comes with a 5lb magnetic black sand pocket separator pen and a pair of tweezers with a magnifier for precise gold and mineral handling
- Durable and User-Friendly Design: All tools are designed with durability and ease of use in mind, perfect for both beginners and seasoned prospectors
- Ideal for Outdoor Family Activities: A great way to engage in a fun, educational outdoor activity with the family, away from electronics, and a perfect gift for gold prospecting enthusiasts
Best all-in-one starter kit. Pans, a classifier, vials, tweezers, and a snuffer bottle in one box — the easiest way to begin, and a great gift.
Level up
- PATENTED DESIGN, STRONG & DURABLE - Mesh sieve is made with rust resistant high-quality stainless steel; Lightweight to reduce hand fatigue while sifting through paydirt; Compatible with our other stackable classifiers
- GOLD PROSPECTING GEAR ESSENTIAL - A must-have for serious gold seekers and treasure hunters; Saves time and improves gold recovery in sluices and pans; The patented space-saving design allows you to easily stack and store with other classifiers
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE - Easy to clean, store, and transport; Fits comfortably into a backpack or large finds bag; Ideal for gold panning around exposed bedrock, inside bends, surging waters, and areas with restricted water flow
- Plastic body
Classifier sieve. A stackable classifier screens out the big rocks so you’re only panning the fine material where the gold actually hides.
- TIP: The plastic covering the product surface is a protective layer against scratches and may be peeled off upon receipt before use.
- Task-Specific Mat System for Sluice Box: Four-layer collaborative design for maximum gold retention. 1.The grille and wire mesh first screen out rocks and coarse sand; 2. The moss layer firmly traps coarse gold particles; 3. The adhesive carpet precisely captures fine gold dust, 4. and the bottom aluminum plate provides stable support and guides water flow. Save you time and effort.
- Durable Materials: Aluminum construction resists rust and corrosion, withstands the dual impact of water flow and gravel. And the gold sluice box holds strong against wear. Built for prolonged outdoor use and continuous water contact. It can easily handle long-term outdoor gold panning.
- No Heavy Lifting: Folds to less than half its size for compact storage, with an extended shoulder strap for easy carrying. Creating a lightweight, portable, rust-resistant, and durable gold mining equipment for you. It’s ready to use right out of the box: simply tighten the screws for easy operation, and they won’t come loose during use.
- Adaptable Gold Sluice Equipment: This 50-inch-long gold box features a multi-section folding design that helps improve stability on various terrains and maintains its ability to guide the water flow.
Sluice box. Ready to get serious? A sluice processes far more material than a pan, using the stream’s current to trap gold in the riffles. (Check local rules — some areas restrict sluicing.)
Gold panning gear FAQ
What do you need to pan for gold?
At a minimum, a gold pan with riffles. A beginner kit adds a classifier to screen material, a snuffer bottle and vials to collect flakes, and tweezers. A sluice box is an optional upgrade for processing more gravel once you get hooked.
Where can you pan for gold in Colorado?
Popular areas include the creeks around Idaho Springs, Breckenridge, and the historic gold belt along the I-70 corridor. Some public lands allow recreational panning, and outfitters offer guided experiences. Always check current rules for the specific spot.
Is gold panning legal in Colorado?
Recreational hand panning is allowed in many public areas, but rules vary by land manager and some spots restrict or prohibit it, especially motorized or sluice equipment and any claimed areas. Check the local regulations before you dig.
Written by
Melissa
Melissa splits her year between Texas and Summit County, Colorado, where she has spent countless summers and winters hiking, skiing, fishing, and exploring the high country. She started Breckenmendations to help visitors make the most of Colorado's mountains with the gear, tips, and local know-how she wishes she'd had on her first trip up I-70.
Breckenmendations is written by locals who actually hike, ski, and explore Colorado — see how we pick what we recommend.