Click each photo to greatly enlarge it
In the past century, over 100,000 ounces of placer gold have been mined on Chicken Creek and its tributaries and
there still remains a great deal of gold to be found. It is one of the richest placer gold deposits to be mined in Alaska.
In 2007, we opened some of our claims to recreational placer gold mining so visitors could find gold in Alaska. These claims
include virgin ground as well as some ground previously mined by crude methods between 50 and 125 years ago. The claims have historically
produced good placer gold including some nuggets as large as 3 oz. Our customers have found many gold nuggets including some larger
than one ounce!
Guests* staying at the Chicken Gold Camp
can pan or mine for gold on our nearby claims for a daily fee.
We allow use of pans, metal detectors, hand sluices,
small suction dredges and high bankers (2.5" max). It is
approximately 2 miles by road and trail to most of the claims. We provide transportation to our Myers Fork claims for prospectors and gear for a fee.
No motorized vehicles other than ATVs will
be permitted on the trail. The shuttles generally run one round trip per day so be prepared for being out in the
weather all day: rain gear, rubber boots, hat, water bottle and food. We require all prospectors to declare the amount of
gold mined at the end of each day for State records, but all gold is yours to keep. Our claims are open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
What to expect: Every morning all customers (new and repeat)that need a ride to the claims, will leave the Outpost at 9am for the 2 mile ride to the claims.
New customers will be provided a little orientation; rental gear provision, help locating a site and equipment set-up as needed.
The shuttles will return to the campground starting at 5:00 (there are no mid-day trips); be prepared to stay on the claims all day unless you want to walk back
to camp. Customers who have their own ATVs can leave for the claims starting at 8:30am and must return to check in at the Outpost by 6:30pm. We have outhouses on the claims but
there is no other shelter so be prepared for all types of weather ... rain gear,
rubber boots, hat, warm jacket. Bring plenty of food and water. Your guide is there to instruct and assist, not to do the work
for you. We want everyone to find gold in Chicken Alaska and hopefully find a gold nugget.
One of our repeat customers from Switzerland recently posted a nice youtube video of their recent visit to Chicken Gold Camp and their mining excursion on our claims:
view here
Mining Fees:
$25 per day for gold panning & metal detecting
$45 per day for hand sluices - your equipment
$65 per day for high bankers or suction dredges - your equipment (max pump intake: 2½")
$95 per day for trommels and other mechanical classifying equipment (max pump intake: 2½")
$25 per day for additional helpers for any of the above activities
* Prices apply to those camped at Chicken Gold Camp and are per person per day.
* Different rates apply to those not staying at Chicken Gold Camp.
Hours:
Prospecting is available from 9am to 6pm daily except for those taking the shuttle which leaves at 9am and returns at 5pm.
Equipment Rentals:
$18 per day* to rent a hand sluice (shovels, pans, classifiers and buckets included).
$40 per day* to rent a high banker (gas, shovels, pans and classifiers included).
$14 per person/gear for a round trip shuttle to Myers Fork and back; $7 one way.
*For rentals, you will also be charged the appropriate mining fee from above in addition to the rental fee.
Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
Many 'pickers' and nice jewelry nuggets have been found by our
guests with the largest to date weighing 1.4 oz. We have many members in our "1 oz club": those who have found one oz of gold
or more in one season. We also have a number of guests who have made the "3 oz club". The claims have also produced some nice
specimens of jasper, chert, agate, opal, amethyst and petrified wood for those who like rock hounding.
