Do participants get to keep the gold they find?

Yes — workshop policy allows participants to keep the nuggets or flakes they recover during the session.

Where is the meeting point?

Check in at the Vulture City Ghost Town meeting point; instructors will be onsite and ready to begin the two-hour session.

What is the minimum age to participate?

Minimum age is 12 years old; younger children are not permitted for safety and equipment reasons.

Is prior experience required?

No — the workshop is designed for beginners and hobbyists; instructors provide hands-on training with all prospecting equipment.

Are tools and equipment provided?

Yes — metal detectors, dry washers, sluices and pans are supplied as part of the hands-on instruction.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellation and refund details vary by booking; check your confirmation or contact the operator via the booking link for policy specifics.

Gold Prospecting & Recovery Workshop at Vulture City Ghost Town | Workshop | Events

At the edge of Wickenburg, Arizona, the Gold Prospecting & Recovery Workshop unfolds across the weathered streets and tailings of Vulture City Ghost Town. In a two-hour, hands-on field session participants age 12 and up learn to find and process gold using the same principles miners used here a century ago. You'll work metal detectors, run dry washers in arid ground, feed sluices with recirculating water and pan concentrates until the glint of recovered gold shows in the bottom of your pan. The setting is as instructive as the instruction. Vulture City's compact cluster of historic mine buildings and nearby wash systems give a clear view of how alluvial gold migrates in arid landscapes. The workshop's emphasis on dry versus wet recovery reflects local geology: hard-packed desert soils, old tailings, and seasonal washes where heavier material concentrates. Instructors guide small groups through terrain identification, showing you how to read slope, substrate and drainage so you can spot likely pay dirt on your own. This is not a novelty exercise. The course is explicitly practical: you'll learn how gold behaves in multiple environments, choose appropriate recovery methods by soil type, operate detectors and recovery rigs, process real pay dirt through parallel systems and clean fine gold from concentrates. Participants keep whatever gold they recover. The curriculum stresses transferable skills you can use across the Southwest or in other historic mining districts. Why book this with a local operator? The workshop pairs technical instruction with context - the ghost town itself is an open-air classroom that explains why miners settled here. Small group sizes mean more hands-on time with each tool. Sessions run Fridays through Sundays and are geared for families and solo travelers who want a focused, active experience rather than a staged demonstration. Practical details: arrive at the Vulture City Ghost Town meeting point prepared for sun and dust; the two-hour window is efficient but physically active. Bring sturdy shoes and a hat; instructors provide equipment, but personal comfort items matter. The experience is a rare chance to practice detection and recovery in a real historic setting, leave with newfound skills, and keep the physical mementos you find. For anyone visiting Wickenburg who is curious about prospecting, industrial history, or hands-on field skills, this workshop delivers an educational, tactile afternoon that connects geology, technique and local mining heritage. Designed for beginners and returning hobbyists alike, the curriculum balances safety with real fieldwork: instructors review detector operation, sluice management and fine-gold cleaning, emphasize leave-no-trace practices, and help you identify promising geology. Minimum age is 12; sessions are scheduled Friday through Sunday for travelers staying in nearby Wickenburg. Expect sun exposure, moderate walking, and memorable hands-on learning and take home small finds.

About Vulture City Ghost Tour

Vulture City Ghost Tour operates in historic Vulture City, located near Wickenburg, Arizona. The business offers guided ghost tours, paranormal investigations, blacksmithing workshops, and themed events that showcase the site's gold mining history. Tours and experiences use original 1800s buildings, giving visitors direct access to preserved mining structures and period architecture.

Paranormal experiences include the Vulture City Lockdown and Flashlight Ghost Tour, both led by professionals who guide EVP sessions and hands-on investigations in intimate, crowd-free settings. For guests seeking hands-on craft, Vulture City Forge runs blacksmithing classes ranging from a four-hour Blacksmith Experience to a multi-session Advanced Blacksmithing Series taught by a master blacksmith.

Seasonal and community events include Gold Days, Wild West Days, The Awakening Halloween Experience, Christmas in the Desert, and the Fall Classic 1860s Baseball game held on November 1st, 2025. These events combine live demonstrations, reenactments, music, food, and family activities. The business also lists private paranormal investigations and general admission options for visitors.

Vulture City Ghost Tour emphasizes educational demonstrations, expert-led instruction, and immersive historical interpretation. Safety and authenticity are maintained by conducting activities within the preserved ghost town environment and by employing experienced guides and instructors. Visitors can expect a mix of historical context, hands-on learning, and paranormal exploration that highlights Vulture City's mining heritage and cultural history.

General Admission allows visitors to explore the site during scheduled hours and attend demonstrations. Halloween Night Lockdown and other special events provide themed programming; availability and details vary by event and date. Visit schedule online.