Mornings · Classroom
Detector mastery, step by step
Settings, threshold, ground balance, target tones, coil control, and the geology that tells you where gold is likely to be — taught so it sticks.
Metal Detecting Hands-On Masterclass · Arizona
Metal detecting masterclass in Morristown, Arizona
Two days with Kevin Hoagland: mornings in the classroom at the historic 1899 Hotel, afternoons swinging a coil on the Maricopa Group GPAA claims — 15 minutes away.
Morristown, ArizonaClassroom + claimsLunch includedGPAA membersBring a gold detector
View upcoming sessions
Sonoran Desert gold country · Arizona
2 + ½
Days of training
30
Classroom seats
120 ac
GPAA claim ground
15 min
Classroom to claims
The venue
Classroom at the 1899 Historic Hotel
Mornings are held at the 1899 Historic Hotel in Morristown — a National Register landmark that once hosted travelers on their way to Castle Hot Springs by stagecoach, and later served as the town's general store, post office, and saloon.
Afternoons move to the Maricopa Group — roughly 120 acres of GPAA claims about 15 minutes from the classroom. You'll take what you learned that morning straight to mineralized desert ground with Kevin coaching nearby.
See the Maricopa Group in the GPAA Property Guide →
Afternoons · On the claims
Real ground, real targets
Put the morning's lessons to work on the Maricopa Group GPAA claims — Yahoo #2, Yahoo #4, Golden Dreams, and King #1 — with hands-on coaching.
Your two days
Classroom, lunch, then the claims
Each day follows the same rhythm so skills build on each other — learn it in the morning, prove it in the dirt that afternoon.
Days 1 & 2
- Morning
Classroom at the 1899 Historic Hotel
Detector setup and settings, ground balance in hot ground, reading tones, and practical geology for detecting.
- Midday
Lunch included
Lunch is provided both days.
- Afternoon
Field time on the Maricopa Group claims
About 15 minutes from the classroom. Put the morning's lessons to work on GPAA claim ground with Kevin nearby.
Optional half day
Optional- Morning
Prospect on your own
Hunt the claims at your own pace the day after the event, with Kevin available to help.
Your course handbook goes with you all weekend. Exact start times and field meeting details are sent with your registration confirmation.
Why attend
The system for learning in the field
Structured coaching, real ground, and repeatable skills you can take to your next hunt.
All detecting, all weekend
This is a metal detecting masterclass — settings, ground balance, tones, coil control, and recovery, with just enough geology to know where to swing.
Hands-on with Kevin
Learn from Kevin Hoagland in the classroom, then get coached on real ground the same afternoon.
Real GPAA claim ground
Practice on the Maricopa Group claims — mineralized Arizona desert ground where good habits pay off.
Your course handbook
Every attendee gets a course handbook — a field textbook that guides you through each lesson, with room for notes you'll use long after the weekend.
Lunch included
Lunch is provided both days so you can stay focused on learning, not hunting for a drive-thru.
Optional half day on the claims
Stay the day after the event to prospect on your own at your own pace, with Kevin available for help.
Immersive field work
Learn it in the morning. Prove it that afternoon.
Every classroom lesson goes straight to the dirt. You'll dial in ground balance on hot desert soil, learn what your detector is telling you, and recover targets with Kevin coaching nearby — then come back the next day and do it better.
Know before you go
Plan your trip
- Included with registration: Classroom instruction with Kevin, your course handbook, and lunch both days.
- GPAA membership required: You must be an active GPAA member to attend, since the field sessions are on GPAA claims. Not a member yet? Join before you register.
- Season: Sessions run in Arizona's cooler months — still, expect strong sun in the afternoons. Bring water, a hat, and sun protection.
- Getting to the claims: The Maricopa Group claims are about 15 minutes from the classroom. Directions are shared with registered attendees.
- Gold detector required: Demo detectors are not available — bring your own gold detector, such as a Garrett GoldMaster 24k, Fisher Gold Bug 2, or Minelab Gold Monster 1000 or 2000. Shop gold detectors →
- What else to bring: Headphones, a pinpointer, and a digging tool, plus sturdy boots, gloves, water, and field clothes.
Where to stay
The 1899 Historic Hotel has RV sites right at the classroom, booked directly with the venue. Wickenburg — about 15 minutes west — has hotels and full-hookup RV parks.
At the venue (1899 Historic Hotel, Morristown)
RV sites
- 1899 Historic Hotel RV sites$30/night, booked directly with the venue (480-493-9329). Big-rig friendly with water, showers, restrooms, and a dump station — no electric hookups, generators OK. The hotel does not rent rooms.
Wickenburg (~15 minutes west)
RV parks
- Desert Cypress RV ParkFull-hookup RV park on Jack Burden Rd, close to town.
- Valle Vista RV ParkRV park on N Tegner St near downtown Wickenburg.
- Horspitality RV ResortRV resort on US-60/89 just outside town.
Hotels
- Los Viajeros InnOld West–themed inn with pool and breakfast.
- Best Western Rancho GrandeDowntown hotel on Wickenburg Way.
- More Wickenburg lodgingThe Town of Wickenburg's full list of hotels, guest ranches, and RV parks.
Availability and rates change — contact properties directly to book. Lodging is not included with registration.
Location
Morristown, Arizona
Field sessions (afternoons)
Maricopa Group GPAA claims
About 15 minutes from the classroom. Directions are shared with registered attendees.
Nearby
- Wickenburg — Western town with restaurants and supplies, ~15 minutes west
- Phoenix — About 40 minutes southeast
- Vulture Mine — Arizona's most famous historic gold mine, near Wickenburg
Upcoming sessions
Reserve your spot in Morristown
Select a session, choose your event option, and register through secure checkout.
Membership required
GPAA membership required
Field sessions are held on GPAA claims, so an active GPAA membership is required to attend. Not a member yet? Learn about membership and join, then come back to register.
About your registration fee
Your registration fee covers the classroom instruction at the 1899 Historic Hotel, your course handbook, and lunch. No fee is charged for access to or use of public lands. Afternoon field time takes place on the Maricopa Group, GPAA mining claims located on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Access to the claims is a benefit of active GPAA membership and is subject to GPAA claim rules and BLM regulations. Field meeting details are shared with registered attendees.
Stay in the loop
Get notified about future Gold Trails training events
Morristown sessions are capped and fill up. Join the list for early notice when dates open — no spam, just field training updates.
FAQ
Morristown event questions
Mornings are in the classroom at the 1899 Historic Hotel, 41037 W Grand Ave, Morristown, AZ 85342. Afternoons are on the Maricopa Group GPAA claims, about 15 minutes away.
