On the way to Yosemite National Park is Jamestown, and located there is the 1849 Mining Camp created and maintained by Gold Prospecting Adventures. It's a historical re-creation of a genuine gold camp and a fun opportunity for individuals and families to learn history and get their hands dirty while searching for real gold.
The objective of the camp is to provide an experience similar to that of the Great California Gold Rush. Participants learn the history of the area, how traditional gold panning equipment works, and then search for gold themselves. The camp provides several prospecting packages, ranging from two hour goldpanning and sluice box sessions to 3-5 hour expeditions in which the already panned earth is dug out to allow you to get to the 'fresh' bedrock beneath. Overnight camping packages are also available. Participants are allowed to keep all the gold they find and should reasonably expect to find some on the two hour or longer courses. For those who are caught up in the excitement of the gold rush, professional prospecting courses are available which show you how to hunt for gold with the latest technology available and how to stake your claim if you find a hotspot.
