An unpatented claim gives you exclusive mineral rights and the surface use reasonably needed to mine — while the land itself stays federal. That split explains almost every rule below. Here's the honest picture, because a buyer who knows the rules enjoys their claim a lot more than one who learns them from a ranger.
What You Can Do
- Mine, on an exclusive basis. The minerals are yours alone: pan, sluice, dig, sample, and keep every flake. Nobody else may prospect your ground without your say-so.
- Camp while you work. Standard public-land rules typically allow up to 14 days of camping per stay — tents, trailers, and RVs where access allows. Many of our claims have established, level camp spots.
- Run hand and small motorized equipment. Pans, sluices, high-bankers, dry washers, and metal detectors are the everyday toolkit. Larger disturbance — trenching with machinery, for example — triggers a Notice or Plan of Operations with the BLM first.
- Place temporary structures. Equipment sheds and seasonal shelters directly tied to mining are generally allowed while actively used.
- Use existing roads to reach your ground. Reasonable access for mining is part of the right; that's a different thing from gating public routes.
- Sell, lease, or pass it on. The claim is transferable property — deed it, will it, or consign it through us when you're ready to move on.
Where the Limits Are
- No permanent buildings. Cabins and full-time residency aren't part of an unpatented claim — that's patented-claim territory.
- It isn't a private campground. Your exclusivity covers minerals, not recreation. Hunters and hikers may cross the surface; they just can't mine it.
- State rules apply on top. The famous example: California heavily restricts suction dredging, while hand methods remain broadly legal. Check your state's page — California, Oregon, and others differ meaningfully.
- Leave it clean. Reclamation of meaningful disturbance is expected; trash and derelict equipment are the fastest way to draw agency attention.
Rule of thumb: if an activity supports mining and its footprint is modest and temporary, you're almost certainly fine. If it looks like homesteading, it isn't allowed. Every listing we publish notes camping and access specifics for that ground — see the active claims.