Recreational Panning Reserves

The Ministry has created a number of recreational panning reserves around the Province that are open to the general public to use for recreational gold panning. 

Recreational hand panning is strictly limited to the following tools: hand pan and shovel. Recreational hand panning does not include the use of a metal detector. Use of a metal detector to explore for mineral or placer minerals is considered a prospecting activity. Section 11(1) of the Mineral Tenure Act requires that only a free miner or an agent of a free miner may enter mineral lands to explore for minerals or placer minerals, which includes prospecting for minerals or placer minerals with a metal detector. The use of sluice or shaker boxes, suction dredges, and other mechanical devices are not permitted.

1.  Overview Map of the BC Recreational Panning Reserves

Open the overview map of BC (PDF). Once open, click on an icon at each reserve site to open up an individual location map (PDF) of that particular site.

2.  KML File - Google Earth

As another option for viewing recreational panning reserves in BC, if you have Google Earth installed on your computer, this KML file will automatically open and zoom to British Columbia adding the BC Recreational Panning Reserves to your Temporary Places folder.

3.  Individual Panning Reserve Information

*GPX (the GPS exchange format) is a light-weight xml data format for the interchange of GPS data (waypoints, routes, and tracks) between applications and web services on the internet. Source

Depending on your web browser, you may have a different experience with downloading the GPX Waypoints and Tracks.

• Internet Explorer - You must right-click on the Waypoints and Tracks link and select Save Target As. A left-click will not download the file.
• Chrome - Simply click on the Waypoints and Tracks link and a pop-up offering to Open or Save the GPX file will appear.
• Firefox - Simply click on the Waypoints and Tracks link and a pop-up offering to Open or Save the GPX file will appear.
• Mac/Safari - Simply click on the Waypoints and Tracks link and the file will automatically download to your computer.