Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site
Midland, North Carolina
placer goldpyritequartz
State park dig · Fee, seasonal
Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site
The first documented gold find in the United States came out of Little Meadow Creek here in 1799 — a seventeen-pound nugget the Reed family reportedly used as a doorstop before anyone knew what it was. The state runs a five-dollar panning trough and a guided walk through the restored underground workings for about the same. Ask staff about the panning material before you arrive expecting wild creek gravel; the history is the real specimen here.
The card catalog
| What you can find | placer gold, pyrite, quartz |
|---|---|
| Access | State park dig — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | Grounds and museum are free. Gold panning is $5 per person plus tax. The guided underground tour is $5 adults, $4 seniors and military, $1 for ages 3-17. |
| Season & hours | Site open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm, closed Sunday, Monday and state holidays. Underground tours run at 10, 11, 12, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. Panning is offered Tue-Sat and is seasonal: it stops for moderate to heavy rain, closes for 30 minutes when thunder is heard, and shuts down when the heat index tops 103F. Call 704-721-4653 to confirm panning is running. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — The panning trough is shallow, supervised and cheap — close to ideal for ages 5 and up. Pair it with the underground tour, which stays cool in July. |
| Official source | NC Historic Sites, NC Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site cost?
Grounds and museum are free. Gold panning is $5 per person plus tax. The guided underground tour is $5 adults, $4 seniors and military, $1 for ages 3-17. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site open?
Site open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm, closed Sunday, Monday and state holidays. Underground tours run at 10, 11, 12, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30. Panning is offered Tue-Sat and is seasonal: it stops for moderate to heavy rain, closes for 30 minutes when thunder is heard, and shuts down when the heat index tops 103F. Call 704-721-4653 to confirm panning is running. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site good for kids?
Yes — Reed Gold Mine State Historic Site works for families. The panning trough is shallow, supervised and cheap — close to ideal for ages 5 and up. Pair it with the underground tour, which stays cool in July.