September 3, 2025
You might be surprised to know that it was a curious 12-year-old boy who made the first documented discovery of gold in the United States. And it happened right here in Cabarrus County. The year was 1799 and the boy was Conrad Reed; he stumbled upon a 17-pound hunk of gold glittering in Little Meadow Creek. The find launched the first gold rush in the country, even before the news of prospectors striking gold in California.
These are just a few of the fun facts you’ll discover at Reed Gold Mine in Midland. To help you maximize the experience, Reed’s site manager Amanda Brantley shares her insider tips, including the best time of year to visit the mine and the expert trick for how to pan for gold like a pro.
Visit Reed Gold Mine in September or December
These months are considered the mine’s off-season from hosting school field trips—which means fewer crowds for visitors to contend with. “If you don’t want to share the space with 200 fourth graders, and you want more time to pan for gold, September and December are best,” Brantley says. She adds, however, that any time of year is great to tour Reed thanks to the underground mine’s consistent temperature of 60 degrees.
Ask About Guided Tours
Brantley says visitors can always do self-guided tours of Reed Gold Mine, but Reed occasionally has guided tours. “These tend to give the visitor more of an impactful visit because you have the guide’s knowledge on hand right there with you,” she explains. “If you have questions, a guided tour offers an on-demand ability to learn anything you want to know.”
Because guided tours aren’t always on the menu, Brantley recommends calling ahead to check availability.
She also notes that the guided tours are paced. “So, if you’re someone who likes to take their time and explore slowly, a self-guided tour might be more beneficial.”
Plan for 90 Minutes for a Visit to Reed
From a visitor center packed with exhibits to 1800s-era historic structures to miles of trails that lead to rich archeological sites — including one to Little Meadow Creek where that first gold nugget was found — there’s more to discover at Reed than the mine itself. “Guests should plan at least an hour to tour the mine, see the exhibits and pan for gold, more time for the trails and to enjoy a picnic lunch,” Brantley says.
Look for the Bats
One fun fact about Reed Gold Mine is that it houses two species of bats! It’s unclear for how long the bats have called Reed home, but it’s likely the winged creatures have been around since the 19th century when the mines shuttered and were eventually abandoned. “Kids love to see the bats,” Brantley says. “Keep an eye out on your tour and you may see one or two. Just be sure not to disturb them.”
Remember These Two Gold-Panning Tips
“Gold panning is like making a mud pie,” Brantley explains. “You get a plate of dirt. You sift it in water. Gold is heavier and will sink to the bottom of the plate, so you have to keep sifting and shaking the pan continuously to get all the gold to the bottom.”
Another gold-panning tip: “If you plan to pan at Reed, get your tickets early, especially during the school year,” Brantley says. “We can sell out quickly.”
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