DirtFest 2025 - Don’t just hear about it—experience it!
EVERYONE’S INVITED
Get Ready for Unforgettable Adventures at Lost Dutchman’s DirtFest 2025!
Experience the thrill of discovery at a DirtFest event, where excitement and adventure await the whole family! Dive into the fascinating world of gold mining and metal detecting and leave with more than memories—take home your very own treasure: gold!
We’re absolutely thrilled to unveil the most anticipated event schedule of 2025. This isn’t just an outing; it’s an immersive educational experience designed to create shimmering memories that will outshine even the brightest treasures.
Come for the gold, stay for the friendships, and revel in the fun. New friends, good times, and golden treasures are waiting for you!
✨ Don’t just hear about it—experience it! ✨
Purchase DirtFest Entrance Ticket Now
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Gold Paydirt
We’ll dig the gold paydirt – you process it.
Keep all the gold you find
Every nugget, flake & treasure is yours to take home.
Hilarity
Playful, engaging, entertaining, challenging, creative imaginative and enjoyable activities.
Expert Instruction
Learn from some of the best in the industry.
FREE Dry Camping
FREE Dry Camping Site Included. Hook-Up sites are an additional fee where available.
Daily Prize Drawings
Manufactures and vendors have donated $1,000’s in prospecting and detecting equipment, along with gold and silver, plus many more prizes.
DirtFest Schedule of Hosting Camp
Each Lost Dutchman’s hosting camp will have their own daily schedule of activities within their event. Utilizing the resources and infrastructure of each camp. Come for as many days as you can or enjoy start to finish…the choice is yours.
Burnt River Camp – Oregon: September 6-14
Blue Bucket Camp – Oregon: April 26-May 4
September 27-October 5
Duisenburg Camp - California: March 22-30
October 25-November 2
Stanton Camp - Arizona: April 5-13
November 8-16
Vein Mountain – North Carolina: May 3-11
September 20-28
Oconee Camp – South Carolina: April 19-27
October 1-9
Loud Mine Camp - Georgia: May 31-June 8
October 11-19
Purchase DirtFest Entrance Ticket Now
What is a DirtFest Experience?
Everyone's Invited! (Membership not Required)
Adventure is for everyone, and so is DirtFest! Whether you're a seasoned prospector or a first-timer eager to try your hand at gold panning, this event is made for you. No experience is required—just bring your enthusiasm, and we'll take care of the rest. Fun for all ages awaits!
More Than Gold
Gold may be the star of the show, but the real treasures are the memories you'll create. From education, techniques, digging, sifting, and exploring to fun activities, games, and fireside storytelling, DirtFest is packed with moments you'll cherish. Come for the gold, stay for the laughter, connections, and unforgettable experiences.
Play in the Dirt!
Who says playing in the dirt is just for kids? Rediscover the simple joys of getting your hands dirty and diving into adventure. Whether you're digging for gold, detecting for treasures or soaking up the fun, it’s time to let loose and embrace the thrill of the great outdoors.
Gold Hunting Reimagined
This year, we're making gold hunting better than ever! With expert-led education sessions, you'll have the chance to uncover more gold while learning new techniques. It's an experience that blends skill-building with non-stop fun.
Unforgettable Nights
As the sun sets, the magic begins. Enjoy music, games, dancing, and even outdoor movie nights under the stars. It’s the perfect way to unwind and celebrate the camaraderie of the DirtFest community. Hosting camps will vary when it comes to evening fun.
Welcome to DirtFest 2025!
This isn’t just an event—it’s an adventure like no other. Whether you're a returning guest or a first-timer, this year's reimagined DirtFest promises to dazzle with fresh experiences and sparkling memories. Perfect for the whole family, friends and coworkers . . . so invite them all to come participate.
Announcing the DirtFest Prize Pool!
Get ready to strike it big! This year’s DirtFest Prize Pool is overflowing with incredible treasures, thanks to the generosity of industry leaders, manufacturers, and vendors. We’re thrilled to share that thousands of dollars worth of prospecting and detecting equipment, shiny gold and silver, and an array of other amazing prizes are up for grabs!
But that’s not all—Lost Dutchman’s is taking it to the next level! As a special thank-you to our sponsors of donations, Lost Dutchman's is also purchasing additional prizes from these sponsors as an appreciation to support Lost Dutchman's DirtFest Events.
We’re adding even more prizes to the pool. This means more chances for YOU to win big while celebrating the thrill of adventure.
✨ Don’t Miss Out! Join us at DirtFest for your shot at these epic prizes. It’s time to dig in, have fun, and take home some treasure! ✨
Plan Your Adventure
At its core, the Lost Dutchman's has always been about the community, the thrill of the gold recovered, and the love for the great outdoors. This year, we're magnifying all that manifold. So, grab your gear, bring along your enthusiasm, and come be a part of an event that promises to be etched in golden memories!
Participants can pre-plan their DirtFest DAILY adventures. Whether you want to partake in the spirited treasure hunts or get down and dirty with gold mining, competitions, ATV/UTV Claim & History, the choice is yours. Ensure you make the most of your day(s) by charting your course ahead of time.
Purchase DirtFest Entrance Ticket Now
DirtFest Activities Fee Schedule
(Subject to Change)
All DirtFest activities have limited capacity to ensure the best experience for every participant. Choose and pay only for the activities you’re excited to join—but don’t wait too long! Spots fill up fast, so register early to secure your place.
With activities designed for the whole family, it's time to gear up with a “DirtFest” attitude and dive into the fun!
Save by Booking in Advance!
Register before the event and enjoy lower prices—wait until you arrive, and prices go up by 20%. Lock in your plans now to save money and guarantee your spot.
Go VIP for Maximum Value!
Take your DirtFest experience to the next level with our VIP Packages, offering exclusive perks and even bigger savings. Don’t miss out on the ultimate way to enjoy the adventure!
Activities
Running Dirt / Processing Gold Bearing Material (access to Paydirt)
Run Material On Your Own Equipment: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
Bring your own equipment and get access to Gold Bearing PayDirt that we dig. Keep all the gold you recover.
Common Dig – Miners / Minors: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
Using LDMA Camp equipment, you will work together as a team, process gold bearing material, and split in all the gold recovered.
4-Banker Drywasher Run: ( D / S )
You will have three hours to process as much Gold Bearing material as you can on a high-volume multiple banker drywasher. Do a cleanup and keep all the gold you recover.
Trommel Run: (BR / LM / O / VM)
Work together as a team running a high-performance dirt chompin trommel that will process gold bearing material, do a cleanup and split all the gold recovered.
Land Dredge PayDirt Run: (BB / LM / O)
You will have three hours to process as much Gold Bearing material using a highbanker/dredge combo. Work together as a team, process gold bearing material, and split in all the gold recovered.
SluiceFest in the River: (BR / BB / LM / O / VM)
Bring your own river sluice and get access to Gold Bearing PayDirt that we stockpile at the SluiceFest Area. Keep all the gold you recover.
Dredge for Gold: (BR / BB / LM / VM)
Never dredged before? It’s time to learn so learn how to run the nozzle or tend the dredge. You will have three hours to process as much Gold Bearing material using a dredge. Work together as a team, process gold bearing material, and split in all the gold recovered!
This is a high demand activity so sign up fast!
Mining Experience: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
New to gold mining? Need a refresher? Get ready for a hands-on experience where we will put you will have access to one of our working mining areas. We will teach you the geology and why we are digging here. Plus have the equipment for you to go to work and get your gold!
Get ready to learn and get gold . . . . and of course, have fun!
Honey Hole Prospecting: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
Small group (up to 10 participants max). Head out to different locations on the Camp property and/or exclusive Lost Dutchman’s claims. You will learn geology, indicators of where gold can be, as well as prospect for gold. Bring your own equipment, and process material. Keep all the gold you recover. This is pure education.
Gold N BBQ - Not included in VIP Packages: (O)
We supply all the paydirt and you keep all the gold you recover. In the evening, sit around the Pit Master’s table for a BBQ feast of Baby Back Ribs, Smoked Beef Brisket and Slow Smoked Prime Rib with all the country sides and fixins and desserts. (Meats may differ)
What MUST you bring?
Equipment: (Your Personal Mining Equipment depending on what Activities you plan on participating in AND location of camp)
Other:
Hosting Camp: BURNT RIVER (BR) - BLUE BUCKET (Besos) - DUISENBURG (D) - STANTON (S) - LOUD MINE (LM) - OCONEE (O) - VEIN MOUNTAIN (VM)
Metal Detecting
Detector Training & Wild Hunting (5 maximum): ( D / S / LM / O / VM)
Small group to get more personalized training and education/instruction. Head out to a claim, learn geology, and start swinging your detector and uncover targets. This is pure education.
Detector Seeded Hunt: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
We will plant the designated hunt field with tokens. There will be gold, silver, prizes, and more waiting to be found!
Detector Seeded Hunt – Night Hunt: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
We will plant the designated hunt field with tokens. There will be gold, silver, prizes, and more waiting to be found!
Detector Seeded Creek Hunt – (YES in the water): ( LM / O / VM)
We will plant the designated creek hunt splash zone with tokens. There will be gold, silver, prizes, and more waiting to be found.
Detector Penny Weight Challenge: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
Timed detector hunts with twists and surprises that offer exciting challenges and making strategic choices to best your opponents. There will be gold, silver, prizes, and more waiting to be found!
What MUST you bring?
Equipment: (Your Personal Mining Equipment depending on what Activities you plan on participating in AND location of camp)
Other:
Hosting Camp: BURNT RIVER (BR) - BLUE BUCKET (Besos) - DUISENBURG (D) - STANTON (S) - LOUD MINE (LM) - OCONEE (O) - VEIN MOUNTAIN (VM)
Other Activities
ATV / UTV C & H Ride: (BR / BB / D / S)
We will lead a ATV/UTV poker run style to claims and historical sites around Stanton Camp. This elevated “nickel tour” with education, laughs and prizes!
Shootist:
Sign up for a time slot and bring your pistol. We will open the LDMA’s Shooting Range. Like a bit of competition? Let’s see who can score the most points. Help us keep this a safe environment for all.
Evening Games:– (Bring Your Own Beverage & Snacks):
See schedule for nights … BINGO, LRC, Corn Hole, Jenga, Dominos, Shut The Box, and ???
Panning Competition:
Who can pan and recover some “gold nuggets” the fastest? Need a lesson on panning for gold? We can help with that too. Fastest male, female and minor will win some gold! There’s always a “twist” that make anyone eligible to win.
Friday Night Dinner & Show:
Get ready to fill your tummy with a great meal and laughter of a show. Be careful, the Miners Court Judge will be in full force listening to court cases and “hangin” the guilty ones! This is a “Buzzard” tradition.
Old Miner Costume Party: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
Dress up for our Photo shoot and Dinner Party, Mountain Music, Dancing, Prizes for best costume and Gold!
Elixir & Ore: (If you Know you Know)
You never know when the hidden room will speak to ya!
Specialty Buckets, Bags & Boxes
Choose between a Gem Bucket or an Opal Bucket, use a screen to find them.
Specialty PayDirt Bags: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
Want to pan out or take home a special GUARANTEED bag with gold in it? Purchase one or more of our Digger’s PayDirt Bags. Various sizes/denominations available.
Mystery Boxes: (BR / BB / D / S / LM / O / VM)
Purchase mystery boxes filled with mystery items.