This is one page with a section for each state we have covered. Every rule is quoted from the statute, the park rule or the agency page, with a link to that source and the date we checked it. Where a state source was unclear or could not be read, the section says to check with the park office and links the agency, rather than guessing that detecting is allowed.
Rules often belong to a single park or unit, not the whole state, so a quote for one place is not a statewide rule. Coverage is partial and is labeled below. Checked on November 8, 2026.
Coverage: 18 states with rules quoted from a source we could read, 7 states where we could not confirm a rule and say to check with the park office, and 25 states not yet researched. Absence from this page does not mean metal detecting is allowed.
Federal layer
Federal law applies on federal public land and Indian land in every state. Quotes below are from the statute and the regulation text.
No person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface, or attempt to excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource located on public lands or Indian lands unless such activity is pursuant to a permit issued under section 470cc of this title
Any person who knowingly violates, or counsels, procures, solicits, or employs any other person to violate, any prohibition contained in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both
No item shall be treated as an archaeological resource under regulations under this paragraph unless such item is at least 100 years of age.
Possessing or using a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, side scan sonar, other metal detecting device, or subbottom profiler.
A device broken down and stored or packed to prevent its use while in park areas.
Arizona Check with the park office
We could not find a metal detecting rule on an Arizona State Parks page. Check with the park office before you detect.
We could not confirm a rule from a source we could read. Check with the park office before you detect. Agency: https://azstateparks.com/
California
No person shall possess a metal detector or other geophysical discovery device, or use a metal detector or other geophysical discovery techniques to locate or recover subsurface objects or features with in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.
California State Parks sets metal detector rules unit by unit through superintendent's orders. We found no single statewide rule on an agency page we could read, so check with the park office for the unit you plan to visit.
Agency: https://www.parks.ca.gov/
Colorado Check with the park office
We could not find a statewide metal detecting rule on a Colorado Parks and Wildlife page. Check with the park office before you detect.
We could not confirm a rule from a source we could read. Check with the park office before you detect. Agency: https://cpw.state.co.us/
Florida Check with the park office
The Florida State Parks site returned an access error when we checked, so we could not read its rule text. Rules differ by park and beach. Check with the park office before you detect.
We could not confirm a rule from a source we could read. Check with the park office before you detect. Agency: https://www.floridastateparks.org/
Georgia Check with the park office
We could not find metal detecting rule text on an agency page we could read. Check with the park office before you detect.
We could not confirm a rule from a source we could read. Check with the park office before you detect. Agency: https://gastateparks.org/
Illinois
No metal detecting is allowed on any State Historical, Archaeological or Nature Preserve site.
Metal detecting is limited to area designated by the Site Superintendent as described below
The permit form is the rule text we could read. Check with the site office for the permit process.
Indiana
Except as authorized by a license, a person must not do any of the following within a DNR property
Use a metal detector, except on a sand, swimming beach as approved by an authorized representative.
Maryland
Digging in search of buried relics or treasures, the removal of any prehistoric or historic artifacts, and the use of metal detectors (except as noted in D, below) within the boundaries of lands, beaches, or under waters controlled by the Maryland Park Service is strictly prohibited without a permit from the Office of Archeology, Maryland Historical Trust, Department of Planning.
Section III.D of the same policy sets a beach exception. Read it in full before relying on it; the older policy page on the DNR site (13-17) is out of date.
Agency: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/MetalDetecting.aspx
Massachusetts Check with the park office
We could not find the DCR metal detecting rule on an agency page we could read. Check with the park office before you detect.
We could not confirm a rule from a source we could read. Check with the park office before you detect. Agency: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-conservation-and-recreation
Michigan Check with the park office
The Michigan DNR metal detecting page returned an access error when we checked, so we could not read its rule text. Check with the park office before you detect.
We could not confirm a rule from a source we could read. Check with the park office before you detect. Agency: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/places/state-parks/metal-detecting
Minnesota
the use of metal detectors in state parks is permitted only for locating specifically identified items of lost personal property. Metal detectors may be used only with prior written permission from the park manager and under the supervision of the park manager.
Missouri
metal detecting is allowed in certain areas in 11 state parks; however, registration is required. The activity is allowed only on specific sand beaches at these state parks
New Jersey
A person shall not use metal detectors or similar devices without a permit issued by the Superintendent or designee. The permit may limit the location, hours, and days of use. A permit will not be issued for use in areas of significant historical or other value, or where such use would be incompatible with protection of the resource and/or interfere with public use of the facility.
New York
has designated specific areas within Long Island State Parks for the recreational use, by permit only, of metal detectors.
This guide covers the Long Island region only. Other regions run their own permits, so check with the regional office. We did not find a statewide rule on a page we could read.
Agency: https://parks.ny.gov/
North Carolina
Metal detectors are not allowed in any state park area except to locate lost personal property and must have a Special Use Permit issued by the Park Superintendent or designee.
Local ordinances may govern the use of metal detectors on beaches that are not state parks. Contact the appropriate beach town to see if metal detecting is allowed in that area.
Agency: https://www.ncparks.gov/
Ohio
It is permitted to use a metal detector or other similar device for the purpose of locating or removing any metallic objects or any other objects of value on sand beach areas and mowed areas except mowed areas associated with a golf course, rental facility or campground; provided that any area disturbed by the activity shall immediately be returned to a condition as close to undisturbed as possible. The use of a metal detector in any other area in or upon the lands or waters of the division is not permitted without first having obtained written permission from the area manager.
No person shall use or offer for use any device for the purpose of locating or removing any metallic objects or any other objects of value from any lands or waters administered by the division without first having obtained written permission from the chief of the division or authorized agent.
Agency: https://ohiodnr.gov/
Oregon
Metal detecting without a permit is allowed in specific areas of Oregon State Parks and the ocean shores.
Areas not included on the list may be open to metal detecting with an approved permit. Please contact the park staff to discuss the area and obtain a permit if metal detecting is allowed.
The agency keeps a list of permit-free areas on that page, and says the list may change.
Agency: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.page&id=21
Pennsylvania
The reasonable use of metal detectors is permitted in many state parks. However, metal detecting is not permitted where this activity would conflict with a facility in use, nor is it permitted within fenced areas of swimming pool complexes.
Metal detecting on beaches and in lake swimming areas will be permitted within a reasonable distance of shore from the Tuesday after Labor Day until the Saturday prior to Memorial Day, unless posted otherwise.
South Dakota
No person may use a metal detector on lands owned, leased, managed, or controlled by the department without written authorization from the site manager or other department representative.
Agency: https://gfp.sd.gov/
Tennessee
The use of any mineral or metal detecting device capable of detecting the underground or underwater location of geological, archaeological or historical objects or materials is prohibited.
an individual engaged in a limited search for a lost item under supervision of the Park Manager.
Agency: https://tnstateparks.com/
Texas
It is an offense for any person to operate or use a metal detector, except as authorized by permit.
Utah Check with the park office
Utah State Parks appear to handle metal detecting by park and permit; we could not confirm the rule text on an agency page. Check with the park office before you detect.
We could not confirm a rule from a source we could read. Check with the park office before you detect. Agency: https://stateparks.utah.gov/
Virginia
Metal detectors may be used only on designated manmade beaches and only with a DCR [Department of Conservation and Recreation] special use permit. Such a permit may be obtained from the park's manager.
This quote is the Department of Historic Resources quoting State Parks. We did not read the State Parks page itself, so confirm with the park manager.
Washington
The use and operation of metal detectors, as well as the removal of small contemporary materials, is permitted within selected state parks as designated by the director or designee
The use of metal detectors is permitted only within specified portions of approved state parks as posted for public reference.
Agency: https://parks.wa.gov/
Wisconsin
Metal detectors may be used on DNR lands or waters only for locating specific lost personal items. A special permit is required.
Agency: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/rules/metaldetect.html
No state matches.
This page quotes rules. It is not legal advice, and park rules change. Landowner permission is also required on private land.
Embed the rules widget
The widget is free to embed. Keep the credit link.
<iframe src=“https://metaldetectingreview.com/embed/metal-detecting-rules/"
title=“Metal detecting rules by state from Metal Detecting Review” width=“100%” height=“900” style=“border:0” loading=“lazy”></iframe>
Related
Before you buy a detector for a site, use the detector finder and the specs database .