Where to Find Silver in California: 369 Mapped Sites
California has 369 documented sites where silver have been reported, and the best-known are St. Christopher, Martha Prospect, and Rush Creek Mines. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Silver Map: California
All 369 silver sites in California. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Silver Are Found in California
Silver rides hydrothermal veins, usually alongside galena and other sulfides, and enriches in the oxidized upper parts of old mining districts. Historic silver-district dumps are the practical hunting ground.
The richest reported sites in California: St. Christopher, Martha Prospect, Rush Creek Mines, France Claim, Lake View Copper.
All Silver Sites in California
- St. Christopher — BLM/Public Lands
- Martha Prospect — BLM/Public Lands
- Rush Creek Mines — Forest Service
- France Claim — BLM/Public Lands
- Lake View Copper — BLM/Public Lands
- Lucky Slim — BLM/Public Lands
- Mohawk Mine Annex — BLM/Public Lands
- Northwest Area of Veins — BLM/Public Lands
- Webber — Forest Service
- Yaeger — Forest Service
- Yeager Mines — Forest Service
- Advance — Forest Service
- Aga Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Aga Prospect — BLM/Public Lands
- Alhambra Mine — Forest Service
- Augustine Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Beebe Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Belden Mine — Forest Service
- Bluff Creek Lode — Forest Service
- Cent — Forest Service
- Colorado Camp Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Donohoe Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Eva Bell — Forest Service
- Galena Mine — Forest Service
- Gold Rose Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Howard — BLM/Public Lands
- King of Lead — Forest Service
- La Guria — BLM/Public Lands
- Masonic District — Forest Service
- Mcconkey Claim — BLM/Public Lands
- Monongahela — Forest Service
- Mountain View and Proctor Mine — Forest Service
- New Deal — BLM/Public Lands
- Old Gold Mines — BLM/Public Lands
- Pay-Day — Forest Service
- Quartz Point Prospect — Forest Service
- Rattle Snake Group — State Park
- Rattle Snake Group — State Park
- Red Jacket — Forest Service
- Ridge — Forest Service
- Ridge Claim — Forest Service
- Robinson — Forest Service
- Silver Princess Nos. 1-4 — Forest Service
- Southwest Condor Extension — BLM/Public Lands
- Washington — Forest Service
- Williams — Forest Service
- Willmington — Forest Service
- Zaca — Forest Service
- Andrews Nos. 1-17 — Forest Service
- Atkinson Group — BLM/Public Lands
Showing 50 of 369 sites — every site appears on the map above.
How to Identify Silver
Native silver rarely looks silver in the field — it tarnishes dark gray to black. The tells are its wire and branching (dendritic) growth habits, serious heft, and malleability: a knife point digs a bright metallic groove instead of flaking the surface. On mine dumps, dark heavy pieces that cut rather than crumble deserve a second look.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find silver in California?
California has 369 mapped sites where silver have been reported. The best-known are St. Christopher, Martha Prospect, and Rush Creek Mines. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many silver sites are mapped in California?
We have 369 documented silver sites in California, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect silver in California?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify silver?
Native silver rarely looks silver in the field — it tarnishes dark gray to black. The tells are its wire and branching (dendritic) growth habits, serious heft, and malleability: a knife point digs a bright metallic groove instead of flaking the surface. On mine dumps, dark heavy pieces that cut rather than crumble deserve a second look.
What should I bring to collect silver?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.