PENN VALLEY, CA, May 8, 2017 – Interested in trying your hand at Gold Panning? When you visit Bridgeport in South Yuba River State Park this summer, be sure to stop by the troughs near the Visitors Center. Learn from docents how the old 49ers used simple pans to find hidden treasure in the shallows of the Yuba River. After a panning demonstration, practice your technique in the troughs before heading down to the river to do your own prospecting.
Docents at Bridgeport provide step-by-step panning lessons, share stories about the history of our area, and describe other ways the precious metal was extracted during the California Gold Rush, such as hard rock mining and hydraulic mining. Gold panning is fun and educational for the entire family and kids get to keep the treasures they find in the troughs.
Docents offer gold panning demonstrations at Bridgeport from noon to 2:00 p.m. every weekend and holiday, beginning Memorial Day Weekend, May 27 through Labor Day Weekend Sept. 4. Gold panning sessions for private groups and school talks can be arranged at other times by prior reservation.
Good times awaits you in the South Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport.
17660 PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD
PENN VALLEY, CA 95946
Call the South Yuba River State Park for more information and private group reservations at (530) 432-2546.