Sunday, July 26, 2026
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The mountains of North Georgia are rich with history; so rich in fact, that it’s known to be the site of the first gold strike in 1829.
Gold mining was an incredibly lucrative industry that greatly altered the landscape and society. While the ecological impacts are scarring, the story of gold in our mountains is one worth telling. And what better way to tell it than to dip your hands into its history?
Join us at Anna Ruby Falls to try your luck at gold panning and learn more about the history of gold in Georgia. You may be lucky enough to take some with you!
Pans will be provided for you, and we will have containers for any exciting finds that you may want to take with you!
Special note: We will not be panning for gold directly in the Smith Creek, but rather in a contained area located near our creekside picnic tables. This is to keep our water from silting out and negatively impacting our water quality.
Plan Your Visit
Join us anytime between 11 :00 AM and 1:00 PM to try your hand at gold panning! Find the educator across the bridge of the picnic area and at the very end of the creekside path. You’ll end up at the last picnic area on the creek where the treasure hunt begins!
Comfortable Walking Shoes
