Gold Rush! Here are the Best Places in Illinois to Look for Gold

You might not be cashing in on a large gold nugget in Illinois, but there are a few places where you can go to find nibbles of gold.

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I just know I would NOT be a great miner when it comes to looking for gold. I don't have the patience nor the time to even consider it. However, if you're looking for some of the best places to hunt down gold there are a few in the Land of Lincoln.

History of Gold in Illinois

According to Gold Rush Nuggets, we can thank Canada for gold in Illinois. Thousands of years ago when Canda glaciers started to melt and disappear some of those glaciers had gold. That water trickled into Illinois and several other states and waited to be discovered.

Here are the best places to go:

• Sangamon River - Macon County
• Illinois & Spoon Rivers - Fulton County
• Vermillion River - Ford County
• Embarrass River - Jasper County
• Wabash River - Wabash County

BEWARE!

Like everything in Illinois, gold-digging comes with a warning!

Be aware that Illinois has some quite restrictive regulations in certain areas, especially on state lands, so be sure to contact the appropriate agency to ensure you are legal.

If you don't find gold in Illinois don't plan on quitting your job or buying a mansion. It's not worth what you think it could be, but it might get you half of a tank of gas or a meal out to dinner.