We read every state’s own rules and statutes at source — the consolidated code, not somebody’s summary of it. Where a state publishes nothing we can cite, we say so rather than repeat what other sites print.
50 of 51 states and territories are complete. 20 of them reach beyond state parks to land a city or county owns, which is the part most guides miss entirely.
What ARPA actually covers — explainer in preparation
You may sweep, you may not take — explainer in preparation
When the looking is what needs the permit — explainer in preparation
You may sweep, you may not take — explainer in preparation
When the looking is what needs the permit — explainer in preparation
Every state
Permission needed
Written permission from the park superintendent.
Not established
Alaska State Parks says no. Asked directly, the division could not identify the regulation its answer rests on, and is reviewing the question; the text other sites quote as Alaska's is a federal regulation.
No published rule
Arizona State Parks does not allow it, as published policy. There is no regulation behind that – the state's park rules contain no metal detecting provision at all.
Permission needed
Only on the public swim beaches of nine named state parks, on a free registration form you carry with you, and only from the day after Labor Day to the weekend before Memorial Day, 8am to 5pm.
Varies by park
Each state park unit sets its own position, so there is no single statewide answer – check the unit you are going to.
Permission needed
Park manager's permission on state park land.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
A permit is needed to disturb an archaeological site on state land or a designated preserve. Connecticut counts anything fifty years or older as archaeological.
Allowed in some places
Ocean beaches east of the dune line, during park hours. Nowhere else on state park land – and carrying a digging tool is itself treated as evidence of a violation.
Depends who owns the park
The District publishes no rule for its own parks. Much of Washington's parkland is National Park Service ground, where federal law bans even carrying a detector.
Allowed in some places
By the park service's published policy, only on beach areas of coastal state parks that the park manager designates, between the toe of the dune and the high-water line. The rules themselves forbid digging or removing anything from state park land.
also reaches city land
Prohibited
Banned outright on land in the Department of Natural Resources' custody and control, with no permission route and no exception for lost property.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
Detecting itself is not regulated anywhere in Hawaii law. Taking or digging up anything over fifty years old that qualifies as a historic property needs state permission.
also reaches city 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.
Permission needed
On Department of Natural Resources property, a handheld detector needs an advance permit from the Chief of Lands naming the location, and a non-handheld detector is not allowed.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
Written permission from the Department of Natural Resources, and only on DNR property.
Allowed in some places
In state parks and recreation areas, only on designated beaches during set hours, and on drained lakebeds after an archaeological survey, with probes and scoops limited in size.
Permission needed
On state park land, permission is needed to disturb an archaeological site.
also reaches city land
Prohibited
Metal detectors are barred from state park property outright.
Permission needed
State land only. Louisiana was checked for municipal reach and does not have it.
Permission needed
Only at a protected site – and to be one, a site must be on the National Register and physically signposted. Ground with no sign on it is not a protected site, whoever owns it.
also reaches city land
Allowed in some places
Designated swimming beaches only, for modern coins and jewellery, with Point Lookout and Calvert Cliffs excluded – and not between 9am and dusk from late May to Labor Day.
Allowed in some places
On coastal and inland sandy beaches you need no permission at all. Anywhere else on state conservation land you need a staff member's permission, and only to look for lost property.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
Permission from the Department of Natural Resources, on DNR-managed land only.
Prohibited
In state parks, a detector may be used only to find a specific item of lost property, with the park manager's prior written permission and under the manager's supervision.
also reaches city land
Prohibited
Barred on state park property.
Allowed in some places
Only on designated beaches at eleven state parks, with a free annual registration and during set hours – under park division policy, which the regulation adopts.
Permission needed
Written permission from Fish, Wildlife and Parks, covering state parks, wildlife management areas and fishing access sites.
Permission needed
Permission from the Game and Parks Commission, state park areas only.
Permission needed
The park supervisor can authorise it. That single sentence is the whole rule, and it covers only land the state parks division runs.
also reaches city land
Allowed in some places
Detecting is expressly permitted on seven named kinds of state land – beaches, athletic fields, school grounds, cemetery edges, unpaved roads, near picnic tables and pavilions, and working dumps – unless a historic site there is on record and signposted.
also reaches city land
Prohibited
Barred on State Park Service land.
Permission needed
The superintendent can give permission for two things only: a scientific project already approved by the state, or retrieving something you lost.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
Permission from the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, on its own land.
Prohibited
Barred on Division of Parks and Recreation property.
Permission needed
Written permission, state park land only.
Allowed in some places
In state parks, on sand beaches and on mowed areas other than those at golf courses, rental facilities and campgrounds, with no permission needed. Anywhere else, the area manager's written permission.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
A permit from the State Archaeologist is needed before exploring or excavating at any prehistoric ruin or archaeological site in Oklahoma, whoever owns it.
also reaches city land
Allowed in some places
On state park property and the ocean shore, only where the department's published 'Detecting Allowed' list says so, unless the park manager gives written permission.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
In many state parks with the park manager's prior approval, digging only with screwdrivers, ice picks or similar narrow tools – under the Department's published policy.
Permission needed
Only on sites the state has formally designated as archaeological landmarks, and there you need both the commission's permission and the landowner's. Nothing in the chapter carries a fine or a jail term.
also reaches city land
Prohibited Permission needed
Banned outright at seventeen named historic sites and battlefields. Everywhere else you need a signed permit from the park manager before each visit, and any modern jewellery you find goes to the park office.
Permission needed
Permission from the park manager, state park and recreation areas only.
Permission needed
Written permission, state park land only.
Permission needed
On state park land, and separately at any place the state has designated a landmark – which can include land a city owns.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
Park manager's permission on state park land.
Permission needed
A permit from the state historic preservation officer, and Vermont is unusual in opening those to amateurs as well as professionals.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
Permission from the Department of Conservation and Recreation, state park land only.
Permission needed
On state park land, and it is an offence anywhere in the state to disturb an archaeological site without a permit.
also reaches city land
Permission needed
Written authorisation from the Chief of Parks and Recreation is needed to remove anything at all from a state park, forest or wildlife management area – which in practice is what detecting is for.
Permission needed
Only the state archaeologist and licensed individuals may do what Wisconsin calls field archaeology, and that covers archaeological sites owned by a city or county as well as the state.
also reaches city land
Prohibited Permission needed
Banned outright at state historic and archeological sites, with no permission available. Everywhere else on state park land, the superintendent's written permission.