6 Gold Facts to Tell Your Kids before Taking Them to Gold Panning

Children are always curious to know more about whatever activity they are planning to participate in. If you're intending to take your kids for gold panning in El Dorado County, enlighten them with a few facts about gold that help them remember its importance and how gold is unique. 

1.      “Welcome Stranger” is the largest gold nugget ever found in human history. It was discovered in 1869 in Australia and measured 10x25 inches.

2.      Gold nuggets are never pure gold. However, gold nuggets are more valuable than the amount of gold they contain. Their size is so rare that they fetch nearly four times higher value than the gold itself. 

3.      It’s a known fact that the world economy relied on the gold standard in the past. But only a few know that Switzerland was the last country to back its currency with gold. Around 40% of Swiss Franc was backed by gold until 1999.

4.      Gold is used in electronics. It’s true! The malleable nature of gold makes it easy to reshape into thin threads without compromising its strength. It’s a good electric conductor that doesn’t oxidize and strongly resist rust. Most people know gold for its value, but hardly, they know about its role in technology. 

5.      Earth is not the only planet to have gold deposits. Scientists believe planets that are close to the Sun, mainly Mercury, Venus, and Mars, contain gold. Chances are many moons also hold gold. 

6.      It is estimated as much as 80% of gold is still buried underground. This means it’s time to start panning for gold. 

El Dorado County is an amazing place to learn gold panning and enjoy the history of the California Gold Rush with children. Don’t forget to make reservations for underground mine tours and gold panning lessons as most destinations don’t take more than six people in a group. 

Enjoy Gold Panning in the American River and learn about the historic California Gold Rush

January 24th, 1848 is an important date in the history of California. It is the date when gold was first discovered by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Lumber Mill in Coloma. It was not long before when people started flocking to Placerville, the nearest city to Coloma in search of gold with high hopes—and they did not get disappointed! Early prospectors could just pluck the gold from the stream. Because the Gold Rush runs through El Dorado County, gold panning is a popular activity here. A modern-day Gold Rush has unfolded in El Dorado County as people from all over the world are coming here in search of gold. If you want to learn about the history and events that led up to this incidental discovery and find gold, you should visit El Dorado County for Gold Rush tours and gold panning in the American River.

 

 Where to find gold in the American River

When you have got a pan or two, it’s time to go gold panning and get a little dirty. The best place to find gold is in a creek than a fast-moving part of the river—around forks or at the tributaries. Before you start panning, make sure that the area you are going to is not already claimed. If you want to pan in the middle fork of the American River, take a look around the Michigan Bluff area. The south fork also provides good opportunities to find gold. Lessons are also provided by experts to help you brush up on your gold panning techniques.

There’s much more to explore!

Overlooking the beautiful river canyon is California's first historic monument and the final resting place of James Marshall—the Marshall Monument. The statue looks down on the American River and points to the site of the gold discovery. Visitors coming to El Dorado County for gold panning also have the opportunity to take a walk around the museum at the globally popular Gold Rush Park and visit the Gold Bug Mine to know more about the history of California Gold Rush and what led to its discovery. You can enjoy hikes and picnics with your family under the riparian oak woodlands. Living History Day, and other special events are also planned regularly throughout the year to add more fun to your visit.

Enjoy Gold Panning in the American River and learn about the historic California Gold Rush—Visit El Dorado County!

3 Campsites You Should Head To Experience the Best of El Dorado

Spending a couple of nights at a campsite could rejuvenate you inside out and take away the pain of your hectic schedule. There are plenty of drive-in campsites near El Dorado where you can carry your own tents and cook meals. When you are making a weekend plan with family, you can look for campsites with activities like rafting, hiking, boating, horse riding, and gold panning, in El Dorado County.  Here, we have sorted 3 campsites where you can enjoy to the fullest with your family or friends.

Fallen Leaf Campground

When you want to escape the crowd for a while, no camping place will be better than Fallen Leaf Campground. Located near Fallen Leaf Lake, the campsite is great for sight-seeing and recreational activities. Here, you can book a yurt, a cabin-like space available for five or six people, and spend your holidays blissfully. There are no designated swimming areas; therefore, guests can swim freely, without feeling restricted. Other activities at the campsite include windsurfing, waterskiing, tubing, and motorized & non-motorized boating.

American River Resort

The best destination for a family getaway is the American River Resort where you can try plenty of activities. To mix your camping night with a dash of adventure, add white water river rafting to your campsite visit. Either you can choose group camping to make acquaintance with people visiting from around the world, or book an RV to have your own personal space, under the stars, with your beloved family or friends. When you are visiting with your children, you cannot participate in risky adventures, therefore, take them to gold panning in El Dorado County. There, they will get engaged in fun activities like panning for gold in the American River.
 

Silver Fork Campground

When escaping a few days to a secluded place, away from all rush and traffic, is what hovering on your mind, Silver Fork Campground is the place you should head for. You can set your camp and enjoy camping and other activities for a day or two. Here you can go swimming, fishing, paddling, hiking, climbing, and horse riding. You have to keep a few things in mind like though. For instance, there are bears in the area, so keep the food and other products stored properly and for campfires, use only dead and down wood.

To know what more activities you can enjoy, explore Visit Eldorado website.