Named after the 19th-century German gold prospector, Henry Wickenburg, the town of Wickenburg is part of Maricopa County and is famous for its history and guided tours. During the second full weekend every February, visitors are invited to Gold Rush Days and Rodeo. The event stages a shoot-out on Frontier street, lets visitors pan for gold and features cowboys in a rodeo seen by thousands; a parade follows. Throughout the day, community-sponsored booths offer food and art for sale in a carnival atmosphere. For more information on Wickenburg tourism contact them at their town hall at the address below:
Wickenburg Tourism
155 N. Tegner Street,
Suite A
Wickenburg, AZ 85390
928-684-5451
ci.wickenburg.az.us/
Ghost tours in the historic town of Wickenburg aren't the only offering for tourists; you can also find out about the 428,000 ounces of gold produced in its Vulture Gold Mine. Northwest of the mine lies Red Top Basin, offering about 3 square miles of placers, which are excellent for gold mining. Placers are defined as alluvial deposits; these are areas where gold miners pan in the silt, clay, sand and gravel at the banks and deltas of rivers. Explore Sun City's outlying areas via tours like Arizona Gold Adventures, where staff provide maps for optimal panning and let you keep the gold you find. For more information on Arizona Gold vacations, call Terry at 914-589-3985 or email: [email protected].
Online resources listing "outings" dates for gold prospecting, pot lucks, panning techniques, contests and prospecting classes are available at goldprospectors.org, the Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA), located in Temecula, California (call toll free at 800-551-9707). Before your trip to Sun City, put together a checklist of prospecting equipment to accompany you on your journey, including supplies such as metal detectors, sluice boxes, scoops, circulators and digging tools. An educational tour of a one-stop gold-prospecting supply store (near Sun City) is available online. Pro-gold Prospecting and Supplies is located at 11118 W Youngtown Avenue, Youngtown, Arizona, a few minutes drive from Sun City. The phone number is 800-617-5231.
Additional Maricopa County areas, close to Sun City and excellent for gold mining, are the Big Horn Mountains, Cave Creek and San Domingo districts. Check the GPAA mining guide for Arizona counties to learn more before you go on your gold vacation.
