Come pan for gold and screen for gems at North Georgia's best paydirt mines, but don't take our word for it. Come on down and check us out for yourself. With two great locations to serve our customers, both Dukes Creek Gold and Ruby Mines and the new Outpost Gold and Gem Panning Company are open year round and offer a look into the rich gold mining history. We are conveniently located in and around Helen, GA, near the site of the first major discovery of gold in America! Some of you may not know, but Dukes Creek was formerly a productive part of America's first Gold Rush. In George White's 1849 book Statistics of the State of Georgia, he states "The first discovery of gold in this state was made at Duke's Creek, in Habersham (now White) County."  Our mines are family owned and operated. Our family has been in the mining business for over fifty years. Shop owner, Del Jackson, has mined everywhere from here in the United States and Alaska to Central and South America. In the late 70's, he opened a small sand and gravel mine right outside Helen, Georgia, named Noochee Sand and Gravel. This is where Dukes Creek Gold and Ruby Mines is still located today.

Due to the amount of gold, sapphires, and rubies that were found in the mine, we decided to open our treasures to the public, allowing people to pan right in the river. Due to rising insurance rates, we were forced to move our operations and build our conveniently covered panning tables right next to our shop, which also specializes in unique and authentic Navajo Horsehair Pottery & Prehistoric Fossils.  Thanks to our loyal support from customers and increased demand for our products, in 2015, we opened a second location just inside of Helen, across from the Alpine Mini Golf and Circle K, coming into town. This new location features a larger covered panning area and expanded gift shop. Parking and Admission is always free. Buses and large groups are always welcome. At Dukes Creek and The Outpost, you can become a prospector from the 1800's and mine for real gold and gemstones that you can keep! We provide everything you need to have a great time and be successful. We would like to invite you to visit us and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and relaxing atmosphere here.