Gold Rush Star Parker Schnabel Reveals What’s Next After the Show Ends

Parker Schnabel, the Gold Rush star we’ve all come to admire since his teenage years, is thinking ahead to life after reality TV. The 30-year-old gold mining star has been on the Discovery Channel series since its start. But, what happens when the cameras stop rolling?

Parker recently spoke to People Magazine about his future plans, and it’s clear he’s keeping an open mind. “I look forward to the next chapter of my life,” he said.

Despite not having a concrete plan, he doesn’t see his mining adventures coming to an end anytime soon. “I really don’t think that it’ll be something where I’m like, ‘Oh, my glory days are behind me,’” he added. His mindset is heavily inspired by his family, especially his grandfather John Schnabel, who began gold mining at 65.

Parker also pointed out that his father, who recently started a new business at 69, is a great example of how age is just a number. “My dad is living his best life,” he said, sounding optimistic about embracing new opportunities in his future.

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Dominion Creek: Parker’s Commitment for the Next Five Years

For now, Parker Schnabel is deeply committed to his current mining project at Dominion Creek, a major focus for Gold Rush Season 15. The Schnabel crew has an ambitious target: mining 60,000 ounces of gold in six years.

That means they’re aiming for 10,000 ounces each season, which puts the final year of this plan at Season 20 if the show continues. Even if Discovery decides to pull the plug on Gold Rush, Parker plans to keep mining until he fulfills his commitment.

Dominion Creek isn’t just any claim—it’s a historic site that Parker feels lucky to have purchased. “The pressure is on,” he admitted, particularly because securing a water license for six years was a huge hurdle.

Anyone following Gold Rush knows how crucial water licenses are. They’ve derailed other mining legends, including Tony Beets. The stakes are high, but Parker thrives on the challenge.

By the time Parker wraps up his work at Dominion Creek, he’ll be 35, and ready for something new. However, the ambitious miner doesn’t view the end of this project as a retirement but as a stepping stone to other adventures.

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The Challenges of Dating and Life Goals Beyond Mining

Parker Schnabel’s unique career brings its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to dating.

Explaining his job to potential partners has become a running joke for him. “I try to explain it in a way that doesn’t sound like Mad Max,” he said, laughing. Describing his lifestyle as “washing rocks, looking for little shiny rocks” often leaves people baffled.

This unconventional lifestyle doesn’t make dating any easier. “It’s hard to explain without it sounding like some dystopian insane world,” he joked.

For Parker, the grueling hours and remote locations add to the difficulty. “Then it makes dating incredibly difficult,” he confessed, adding, “They’re like, ‘What do you do?’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know.’”

Despite the hurdles, Parker does hope to settle down and have a family someday. “I do hope to have a family and a life outside of TV eventually,” he shared. But he doesn’t see this happening until after Gold Rush ends. “The show will end completely, I think, before I have kids,” he predicted.

A Family Legacy That’s Evolving

While mining is in Parker’s blood, he doesn’t feel the need to pass on his gold mining legacy to his future kids. “I think that’s a hundred years outdated,” he explained.

Reflecting on his own upbringing, he feels fortunate his parents didn’t pressure him to follow a specific path. “My dad ran a construction company and there was zero pressure to be involved in what you would consider the family business,” he shared.

Parker also revealed that his grandfather’s gold mine was more of a hobby than a business. “It was a money-losing venture for 20 years,” he said, noting how his dad was often frustrated but never forced him to stop. “He just wanted me to be happy. That’s the best thing you can do for a kid, in my opinion.”

At 30, Parker remains open to new possibilities, unafraid of what lies ahead. “I look forward to the next chapter of my life,” he said. With a thriving career, loyal fans, and a future full of possibilities, it’s clear that Parker Schnabel’s adventure is far from over.

Gold Rush fans can catch him on Season 15, airing Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on Discovery and streaming on Max.