Is Metal Detecting on Public Land Legal? Laws in All 50 States (2026)

Quick Answer

Metal Detecting on Public Land is legal in 28 states as of 2026. It's restricted with conditions in 22. Laws vary significantly — what's perfectly fine in one state can carry criminal penalties next door.

28 Legal

22 Restricted

0 Illegal

Last verified: April 2026 · About our research

Metal Detecting on Public Land Legality Map

Legal

Restrictions

Illegal

Unverified

All 50 States

State	Status	Summary
Alabama	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Alabama, though state parks may require permits. No significant...	Details →
Alaska	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Alaska, though state parks may require permits. No significant ...	Details →
Arizona	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Arizona, though state parks may require permits. No significant...	Details →
Arkansas	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Arkansas is subject to restrictions. In 2023, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in...	Details →
California	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in California is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the la...	Details →
Colorado	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Colorado, though state parks may require permits. No significan...	Details →
Connecticut	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Connecticut, though state parks may require permits. No signifi...	Details →
Delaware	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Delaware, though state parks may require permits. No significan...	Details →
Florida	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Florida is subject to restrictions. No significant statewide legislative changes since...	Details →
Georgia	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Georgia is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last ...	Details →
Hawaii	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Hawaii is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last r...	Details →
Idaho	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Idaho, though state parks may require permits. No significant l...	Details →
Illinois	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Illinois, though state parks may require permits. No significan...	Details →
Indiana	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Indiana, though state parks may require permits. No significant...	Details →
Iowa	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Iowa, though state parks may require permits. No significant le...	Details →
Kansas	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Kansas, though state parks may require permits. No significant ...	Details →
Kentucky	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Kentucky, though state parks may require permits. No significan...	Details →
Louisiana	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Louisiana is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the las...	Details →
Maine	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Maine, though state parks may require permits. No significant l...	Details →
Maryland	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Maryland is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last...	Details →
Massachusetts	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Massachusetts is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the...	Details →
Michigan	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Michigan is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last...	Details →
Minnesota	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Minnesota is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the las...	Details →
Mississippi	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Mississippi, though state parks may require permits. No signifi...	Details →
Missouri	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Missouri, though state parks may require permits. No significan...	Details →
Montana	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Montana, though state parks may require permits. No significant...	Details →
Nebraska	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Nebraska, though state parks may require permits. No significan...	Details →
Nevada	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Nevada, though state parks may require permits. No significant ...	Details →
New Hampshire	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in New Hampshire, though state parks may require permits. A 2024 l...	Details →
New Jersey	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in New Jersey is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the la...	Details →
New Mexico	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in New Mexico, though state parks may require permits. No signific...	Details →
New York	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in New York is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last...	Details →
North Carolina	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in North Carolina is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since th...	Details →
North Dakota	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in North Dakota, though state parks may require permits. No signif...	Details →
Ohio	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Ohio is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last rev...	Details →
Oklahoma	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Oklahoma, though state parks may require permits. In March 2024...	Details →
Oregon	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Oregon is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last r...	Details →
Pennsylvania	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Pennsylvania is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the ...	Details →
Rhode Island	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Rhode Island, though state parks may require permits. No signif...	Details →
South Carolina	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in South Carolina is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since th...	Details →
South Dakota	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in South Dakota, though state parks may require permits. No signif...	Details →
Tennessee	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Tennessee is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the las...	Details →
Texas	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Texas is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last re...	Details →
Utah	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Utah, though state parks may require permits. No significant le...	Details →
Vermont	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Vermont, though state parks may require permits. No significant...	Details →
Virginia	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Virginia is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the last...	Details →
Washington	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Washington is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the la...	Details →
West Virginia	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in West Virginia, though state parks may require permits. No signi...	Details →
Wisconsin	RESTRICTED	Metal detecting on public land in Wisconsin is subject to restrictions. No significant legislative changes since the las...	Details →
Wyoming	LEGAL	Metal detecting is generally permitted on public land in Wyoming, though state parks may require permits. No significant...	Details →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is metal detecting on public land legal in the United States?

How many states allow metal detecting on public land?

As of 2026, metal detecting on public land is legal in 28 states, restricted with conditions in 22 states. Use the map and table on this page to check your specific state.

Can you travel across state lines with metal detecting on public land?

Crossing state lines changes which laws apply. If metal detecting on public land is legal in your home state but illegal in the state you're entering, you can face criminal charges the moment you cross the border. Always check the laws of every state on your route.