text: has anyone panned for gold in ark.? how'd you do? and where? i'm taking my 7-year-old daughter on a treasure hunting expedition in arkansas. we're going to the diamond mine in mena then we're going to canoe and pan for gold somewhere, any suggestions, preferrably north arkansas the ouachita national forest is open for recreational gold prospecting and roch hounding. just contact the park ranger for permission. the gold is widely scattered but quartz crystals are abundant.  about 12 miles s.w. of hot springs there has been a notable amout of gold found.  visit this site  http://www.goldprospectors.org/ you will find links to lots of info you will find helpful. good luck!!