On state park land
May be authorised
The park manager may allow it, as what the rule calls a non-traditional recreational activity. Idaho neither permits nor forbids it by default – you have to ask.
1. The rule, in full
Idaho – IDAPA 26.01.20.175.11
Read from the Idaho Administrative Code at adminrules.idaho.gov, IDAPA 26.01.20 "Rules Governing the Administration of Park and Recreation Areas and Facilities", the current rule PDF, parsed locally. Re-read 4 Oct 2026 and both quotations below are exact. Section 175 is headed "Public Behavior" and subsection 11 carries the effective-date marker (3-18-22).
Operative text, IDAPA 26.01.20.175.11:
"Non-traditional Recreational Activities. Non-traditional recreational activities such as model airplane and glider operations, geo-caching, gold panning, drone operation, and metal detecting may be authorized by the park or program manager if such activities do not interfere with traditional uses of the park and are consistent with preservation of park resources."
Scope, IDAPA 26.01.20.001:
"These rules apply to any persons visiting a state park or recreation area or making a reservation to occupy an Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation area or facility."
Determination: Department of Parks and Recreation land only. Does NOT reach municipal parks.
Unusual framing worth preserving: Idaho does not prohibit and then carve out an exception. It treats detecting as a "non-traditional recreational activity" that a park manager may authorize. The default is neither yes nor no, which makes permit_required the closest controlled value but an imperfect fit.
For Boise specifically – the city's own $13 metal detecting permit is a municipal scheme and sits on the city row, not here.
Source: adminrules.idaho.gov 26/260120.pdf, parsed locally. Checked 19 Sep 2026.
2. Cities in Idaho that publish a rule
3 cities in Idaho publish a rule we can quote, out of 23 checked.
Boise
Permission needed
Metal detecting is permitted in City of Boise parks and facilities with the procurement of a Boise Parks and Recreation Department metal detecting permit.
cityofboise.org/departments/parks-and-recreation/park-lice · permit cost $13 · checked 13 September 2026
Meridian
Allowed, with conditions
The use of metal detectors is allowed in Meridian’s City parks as long as the following provisions are adhered to:
meridiancity.org/parks/park-use-policies/ · permit cost no cost · checked 13 September 2026
Mountain Home
Permission needed
Any person who is using or attempting to use a metal detector or similar device in a park shall be issued an infraction unless that person has a current permit for metal detecting issued by the City of Mountain Home Department of Parks and Recreation.
codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/mountainhomeid/latest/mounta · permit cost no fee · checked 13 September 2026
3. County rules
Awaiting review. None of the city or county rows publishes until its status is set and its quotation chosen by hand.
4. Cities checked — no published rule
Awaiting review. None of the city or county rows publishes until its status is set and its quotation chosen by hand.