The Swift River rushing over granite ledges through Coos Canyon

Coos Canyon · Byron, Maine

Pan for gold on the Swift River

A family-owned rock and gift shop at the edge of Coos Canyon, panning for gold and minerals since the 1950s.

Get directions See gold panning

There’s gold in that pan

Give the water a swirl and let the light black sand wash over the edge. The heavy gold stays behind. That is the whole trick, and we’ll teach it to you.

Drag across the pan to swirl

A family on this river since the 1950s

We’re in the scenic Western Maine mountains at beautiful Coos Canyon, along the Swift River, a spot outdoor lovers and sightseers have come to for years.

Our family has prospected for gold and minerals here since the 1950s. That passion grew into our small, family-owned rock and gift shop, where we love sharing what we’ve learned. We look forward to meeting you, whether you’re here for the adventure or just to browse and chat.

Three of the shop’s young staff in matching tie-dye shirts, holding a framed photo among the shelves

What we do

What you’ll find here

Gold flakes and black sand settled in the bottom of a green gold pan Gold Prospecting Pan for real gold in the Swift River, or right at the shop. We show you how, rent the gear and sell guaranteed-gold paydirt. See gold panning A tin full of colorful tumbled gemstones and crystals Gem Screening Sift a bag of gravel for gemstones, crystals, fossils and shark teeth. Screen it at the shop or take it home. See gem screening Shelves of geodes, crystals and polished stones inside the gift shop Rock & Gift Shop Crystals and minerals from around the world, Maine tourmaline jewelry, souvenirs, and hand-dipped ice cream. See the shop

A look around

A visitor kneeling at the river’s edge, panning for gold in a green pan
Panning in the Swift River
Water winding between smooth granite walls in the gorge
The gorge at Coos Canyon
A row of people panning side by side at the shop’s covered flumes
Panning at the flumes
Bright gold flakes caught in the water of a blue gold pan
Fine gold in the pan
Several gold nuggets resting in an open palm
Gold nuggets
A bearded prospector in a hat holding up a small gold nugget
A prospector and his find
A child sitting with a tray of screened stones and gems
Screening for treasures
A long view over forested ridges and a lake in the Western Maine mountains
The Western Maine mountains

Come find us

Find us on Swift River Road at Coos Canyon. Stop in to pan for gold, screen a gem bag, or just browse the shop and grab an ice cream.

Get directions Follow on Facebook

Where we are

472 Swift River Road Byron, ME 04275

207-364-4900

Hours

Open seasonally, May 1 to Columbus Day in October

Closed Tuesdays

  • Current seasonal hours are kept up to date on Google Maps.
  • Special hours, like holiday hours, are posted on Facebook.