Join us, April 30th at 8pm edt on Oro Expeditions And Then Some… as Oro Cas And Miss Paula along with some of their new found friends from Coker Creek, Tennessee, regale you with updates on Expedition ’13’s adventures from gold camp, stories from the Eastern Gold Rush of the 1800’s, and the government’s plans to shut down all gold mining operations in the state of Tennessee by the year 2015.
You’ll be caught up in the natural wonders of our National Forests, regaled with tales of the ‘old days’ and angry at one more attempt by the government to force us out of the wild areas of OUR state and national parks.
If you’re ever in or around Coker Creek, Tennessee be sure to stop in and see Bill and Marsha at Bill’s Pit Stop of Coker Creek. Tell ’em KDCL Media sent you.
Paths I Walk 
Interesting piece, particularly the history around Coker Creek and recreational gold prospecting. A lot has changed since this was published, so anyone finding the article today should make sure they check the current Forest Service restrictions rather than relying on older prospecting information.
While researching the area I put together the current location and collecting-status information here:
Coker Creek gold panning rules (https://usarockhounding.com/rockhounding-map/tennessee/cherokee-nf-wilderness-gold-collection-exclusion/)
The important distinction is that being inside historic gold country does not automatically mean recreational prospecting is permitted at every creek or wilderness location. That is particularly relevant around Cherokee National Forest today.
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In 2013 there were conflicts between fisherman and gold miners using dredges around Coker Creek that caused lawmakers to shut down everything from panning to dredging in Tennessee unless you’re on your own property or have permission from the land owner. So if traveling through Tennessee keep your gold prospecting and mining equipment in your vehicle and move over into the Carolinas, Georgia, and Alabama.
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