About this spot
Small BC Parks campground on the banks of the Thompson River, 10 km south of Spences Bridge on Hwy 1. The park's name says it all — recreational gold panning on the river bars here dates back to the Cariboo rush era, and hand panning remains a listed park activity.
Before you go
Open roughly April–October; hand pans only, no motorized or mechanized equipment. Camping fees apply in season. Panning regulations can change — verify current status with BC Parks before visiting.
Source
BC Parks — bcparks.ca/goldpan-park (park activities list includes gold panning)
Marked Verified: confirmed against an official or authoritative source at the time of writing.
This guide is general information for recreational prospectors — it is not legal advice. Mining, land-access, and environmental regulations change and vary site by site. Always verify the current rules with the official sources linked above before heading out, obtain permission from private landowners and mineral-claim holders, and respect First Nations rights, settlement lands, and treaty areas — some lands require permission or are closed to panning entirely.