On state park land
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.
1. The rule, in full
Iowa – 571 Iowa Admin. Code chapter 64 (Metal Detector Use in State Areas)
Read from the Iowa Administrative Code at legis.iowa.gov, chapter 64 as filed ARC 9232C, IAB 5/14/25, effective 18 June 2025. Checked 21 Sep 2026.
Operative text, 571-64.2:
"Metal detector use in state parks and recreation areas is prohibited except in the following areas: 64.2(1) Designated beach areas. From May 22 to September 7 each year, metal detectors may be used on designated beach areas from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. each day. From September 8 to May 21 each year, metal detectors may be used on designated beach areas during the hours established in 571-subrule 61.10(10). 64.2(2) Drained lakes. When an artificial lake has been drained or the water level lowered for any reason, metal detector use may be allowed during the hours established in 571-subrule 61.10(10) only after the lake bed has been thoroughly surveyed for archaeological resources and a survey report has been completed and approved by the state historic preservation office."
Scope is in the operative sentence – "in state parks and recreation areas" – and the authorising statute, Iowa Code 461A.35, reaches "any state park, preserve, or stream or any other lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the commission".
Determination: state parks and recreation areas only. Does NOT reach municipal parks.
"Beach" is defined, 64.1, and is larger than the sand:
"that portion of state parks or recreation areas designated for swimming activity including the sand, a 200-foot buffer of land surrounding the sand or a designated area that is fenced in, and the water area contiguous to the beach as marked by swim buoys or swim lines."
Tools and digging, 64.6 and 64.7(1): probes "not over 12 inches long, 1-inch wide, and 1/4-inch thick"; "A sand scoop or sieve not over ten inches in diameter"; excavations limited "to less than three inches square when using probes and ten inches in diameter when using sand scoops or sieves."
Lost property, 64.5: an owner may search where detecting is otherwise prohibited with the written approval of the director or designee, confined to "a reasonable area", and "limited to 12 hours or less in length."
Found items, 64.4: "All items found are subject to the provisions of Iowa Code chapter 556F."
No statute reaches municipal land. Iowa Code chapter 263B (State Archaeologist) contains no prohibition on the public. Iowa Code 716.5(1) reaches only disinterring human remains – "(d) The person intentionally disinters human remains from a burial site without lawful authority" – which applies wherever the burial is and is not a detecting rule.
Sources: legis.iowa.gov IAC chapter 571.64 and 571.61; Iowa Code 2026 chapters 263B, 461A.35, 716.5. Checked 21 Sep 2026.
2. Cities in Iowa that publish a rule
Awaiting review. None of the city or county rows publishes until its status is set and its quotation chosen by hand.
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.