Desert Chaos 2026 Week 2 - Sept 30 - Oct 3

Desert Chaos – Hands-On Gold Mining Adventure at LDMA’s Duisenburg Camp

Get ready for an unforgettable 4-day gold mining experience in the heart of the California High Desert!

Desert Chaos is a serious, small-group mining event limited to just 30 participants. This is not a casual outing — it’s for dedicated prospectors who want to get dirty, learn real skills, and take home real gold.

What to Expect:

• Hands-on dry washing — the primary method at this desert claim. Bring your dry washer (or use one on site) and put in the work.
• Daily mining time on productive ground with no limit on how much gold you can find. The more you dig and process, the more you go home with.
• Expert-led training and education sessions from experienced industry pros.
• Camp life at LDMA’s historic Duisenburg Camp — a true desert mining outpost complete with wooden buildings, American flag flying high, and that authentic high-desert vibe.

Event Details:

• Dates: 4 full days of mining and camping
• Location: LDMA Duisenburg Camp, California High Desert
• Capacity: Strictly limited to 30 people
• Eligibility: Open to LDMA members. Non-members receive a one-month LDMA membership included with their ticket (starting at the beginning of the event).
• Camping: Dry camping included for tents or RVs
• Meals: Group dinners provided each evening. Bring your own breakfast and lunch.

This is your chance to mine alongside fellow serious prospectors, operate heavy equipment when available, run material through high-volume dry washers like “Big Bertha,” and celebrate the finds together at the end of each day.

Whether you’re sharpening your skills, chasing that next big nugget, or just want a true desert gold mining immersion — Desert Chaos delivers.

Photos from past events show the real deal: group shots on the claim, massive piles of black sand concentrates sparkling with gold, happy miners posing with their finds, and the raw, rugged beauty of the high desert.

Spots are extremely limited. If you’re ready to work hard, learn from the best, and hunt for gold in one of California’s classic desert mining areas, this event is for you.

Desert Chaos – Where effort equals gold.