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Gold Panning
Mining activity in northwestern Montana began in the late 1860s and continues to the present day. It followed the same broad patterns of discovery and technology found elsewhere in the Inland Northwest where the intitial search for gold expanded into exploration for other minerals. Lincoln and Sanders counties contributed only a fraction of the millions of dollars in gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc between 1906 and 1961 compared to the important strikes in nearby Idaho and British Columbia.
Mining rushes in the Kootenai region were smaller than in other parts of Montana. Libby Creek peaked in 1867 with 500-600 men, and Sylvanite approached the same population in 1897. Compared to 2000 men in Fisherville, BC or 10,000 men at Alder Gulch.
Miners began prospecting in Libby Creek as early as 1864 and by 1867 the booming mining camp was named "Libbysville". The Libby Recreational Gold Panning Area remains active today and a few historic cabins, mining equipment and artifacts remain.
The Libby Creek Recreational Gold Panning Area brochure gives more history, geology, directions and area rules.
Please Protect the Past for the Future
