Metal Detecting in South Dakota

On state park land

Permission needed

Permission from the park manager, state park and recreation areas only.

S.D. Admin. R. 41:03:01:29 · Checked 20 September 2026 · Consolidated rule

1. The rule, in full

South Dakota – S.D. Admin. R. 41:03:01:29

Operative text:

"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."

Written authorization may carry conditions specific to the area.

Scope: all lands owned, leased, managed or controlled by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.

Determination: GFP land only. Does NOT reach municipal parks.

Note the breadth within its own domain – "owned, leased, managed, or controlled" reaches further than "state park" would, but every one of those verbs still attaches to the department.

Source: gfp.sd.gov metal detector page, citing 41:03:01:29. Checked 19 Sep 2026.


2. Cities in South Dakota 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.

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