On state park 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.
1. The rule, in full
Pennsylvania – 17 Pa. Code 11.209(a) and the DCNR detecting policy
Read from the Pennsylvania Code (pacodeandbulletin.gov, "changes effective through 56 Pa.B. 4026 (July 4, 2026)"), chapter 11, every live section. DCNR policy read from pa.gov. Title 37 read from the consolidated statutes PDF on palegis.us. Checked 21 Sep 2026.
There is no metal detecting provision in Pennsylvania's state park regulations. None of 11.201 to 11.224 mentions a metal detector. The provisions that govern:
Operative text, 11.209(a):
"The following activities are prohibited without written permission of the Department: (1) Engaging in construction or excavation. … (8) Removing or disturbing an historical or archeological artifact, relic or object."
Scope, 11.202(a): "This chapter applies to State parks." 11.201 defines "State park" as "An area under the jurisdiction of the Department acquired or administered as a park" under the Conservation and Natural Resources Act.
Determination: DCNR state parks only. Does NOT reach municipal parks.
The detecting rule is DCNR policy. The Department publishes:
"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."
"Individuals who want to use a metal detector in a state park must receive prior approval from the specific park manager on-site at the park and report items which are found and will be removed from the park."
"Shovels, spades, garden trowels, and other similar tools may not be used to dig into or turn over ground areas that are covered by turf, vegetation, shrubs, or trees. The only permissible digging tools are screwdrivers, ice picks, and other similar narrow pronged devices."
Beaches and lake swimming areas are open "from the Tuesday after Labor Day until the Saturday prior to Memorial Day, unless posted otherwise", and at the manager's discretion in summer. Hours are sunrise to sunset, there is no fee, and "State park areas with this potential may have part or all of their area closed to metal detecting."
As with Florida, the page quotes the policy as policy and the regulation as the regulation.
The statute does not reach municipal land. 37 Pa.C.S. 511 makes it a third-degree misdemeanor to conduct "a field investigation on any land or submerged land owned or controlled by the Commonwealth" without a permit, or to appropriate or alter "any archaeological site or specimen located upon lands owned or controlled by the Commonwealth". Title 37's definitions do not define "Commonwealth" to include political subdivisions, and 506(a) reserves only "archaeological resources owned or controlled by it". On city land the History Code imposes a duty to cooperate on the city (507) and nothing on the detectorist.
Sources: pacodeandbulletin.gov 17 Pa. Code 11.201-11.224; pa.gov DCNR State Parks metal detecting page; palegis.us Title 37 chapters 1 and 5 (PDF). Checked 21 Sep 2026.
2. Cities in Pennsylvania 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.