NATIONAL LAWS

The 1906 and 1997 Acts have an impact on the National Park System, National Monuments, National Sea Shore Beaches, Civil & Revolutionary War Battlefields, and to some extent on Native American lands. These acts make metal detecting illegal in any of these places. If caught metal detecting or even having a detector in your possession while on any of these protected places, it is considered a felony with tough penalties.

Historical Sites

The 1966 Act states that historical sites can be preserved. Once an historical site is placed on the National or State Historical Register, then the sites are no longer available for metal detecting, either surface or in-ground.

TO MAKE IT EASY—ANY SITE WITH THE WORD “HISTORICAL” IN THE NAME SHOULD BE CONSIDERED OFF LIMITS TO DETECTING.

National Parks

Metal detecting in any National Park is PROHIBITED COMPLETELY.

National Forests

The Forest Service permits the use of recreational metal detecting. This activity does not usually require any authorization. However, if there are any archeological or historical resources on the site, that area is off limits to detecting.

STATE LAWS

State Parks

Each state has different laws governing metal detecting in state parks.

MISSOURI

Metal Detecting is allowed only on specific sand beaches at the facilities listed below. Registering for a permit is required annually and may be obtained free of charge by registering online at https://mostateparks.com/content/metal-detecting-registration-form, writing to Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Operations and Resource Management Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102, or by e-mail at moparks@dnr.mo.gov.

Facility	Memorial Day to Labor Day	Labor Day to Memorial Day	Notes
Cuivre River State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Daylight hours
Finger Lakes State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Daylight hours
Lake of the Ozarks State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Daylight hours
Lake Wappapello State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Daylight hours
Long Branch State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Daylight hours
Pomme de Terre State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Closed
Stockton State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Daylight hours
Trail of Tears State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Daylight hours
Harry S Truman State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Closed
Mark Twain State Park	7 a.m. to 9 a.m.	Closed
Watkins Mill State Park	8 a.m. to 10 a.m.	Closed	The park office advises you to call 816-580-3387 24 hours in advance of any planned metal detecting. This will allow park staff to confirm your permit and grant you access to the beach.

Detectorists must follow the following rules while hunting in the above state parks:

• Metal detectors may be used to the shoreline adjacent to the specified beaches of the above named parks.
• Any solid-faced digging or probing tool cannot exceed 12 inches in overall length and 3 inches in width. Any sand digging or sifting scoop cannot exceed 12 inches in overall length and 6 inches in width. Suction dredges and grappling hooks may not be used.
• Plants may not be dislodged or have their roots disturbed.
• Operator shall wear or carry a litter apron or bag, and all litter found must be deposited in an appropriate trash receptacle.
• Operator shall have this Proof of Registration email in his/her possession at all times while using a metal detector.
• Contact the facility manager if a historic, archaeological or item valued at $10 or more is found. 

ILLINOIS

In Illinois you also must apply for a permit. The form is available at Metal Detecting Permit (illinois.gov).

CITY AND COUNTY LAWS

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Policies

YES, YOU MAY HUNT COUNTY PARKS.

The second paragraph of their policy states that they “permit the use of recreational metal detectors”. You must read further to find that “Users may probe with a screwdriver, ice pick, or similar device so long as the shaft is no larger than 4” diameter and the user does not damage plants or geological features. Any further disturbance of topsoil or digging is NOT permitted.” (In other words, yes, you may detect. You should not be digging holes larger than 4″ wide, and please put everything back neatly. Do not dig in mulched areas where bulbs or flowers may be located. This is sometimes hard to see in winter, so please look at the bed itself. If it looks like it could contain bulbs or flowers in the spring that may be hidden at the time–DON’T DIG THERE!)

“Any items found must be turned over to park staff or rangers and may be retained by the county park system except for modern jewelry or modern coins.”

The Following St. Louis County areas or parks are COMPLETELY off limits:

Antire Valley

Belleview

Bella Fontaine

Bissell House

Bishop Long

Faust Park

Fort Belle Fontaine

Jefferson Barracks

Laumeier Sculpture Park

Packwood

Sioux Passage

Sylvan Springs

West Tyson

and

highly managed lawn areas at

Bee Tree Mansion

Ebsworth Park

Jarville House

Any community center or recreation complex plaza

Museum of Transportation

ST. LOUIS CITY

Chapter 22.16 – Park Regulations

THERE IS NO METAL DETECTING ALLOWED IN CITY PARKS PER ORDER OF THE CITY PARKS DIRECTOR

22.16.010 – Mutilation or destruction of park property.

No person shall break, cut, mutilate, injure, remove or carry away any tree, shrub, plant, flower, stone or stone work, bench, chair, seat, bower, stand, structure, fence or property, or thing whatsoever in, upon, or near any park, square or place in this City or any street, avenue or highway around the same; or disfigure any sward, gravel, sand, turf or earth or any trees, fence or structure therein or adjacent thereto.

(Ord. 49771 § 1 (52 part), 1960: 1960 C. § 224.010.)

City parks that are COMPLETELY off limits to detecting

Lafayette Park**

Tower Grove**

**(Both are National Historic Landmarks—it’s considered a felony if you are caught detecting there).

JEFFERSON COUNTY

300.100. – Use of Metal Detectors

Metal detectors may be used in County Parks for coin searching, etc., except in Historical Areas. Historical Areas include the Thomas C. Fletcher House and Grounds, and other areas so designated as Historical by the Department. No shovels shall be allowed; only probing with instruments as defined in Section 200.020.8. Written permits are necessary and may be obtained at the Department office.

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

Metal detecting in any St. Charles County Park is PROHIBITED COMPLETELY.

ILLINOIS COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

www2.illinois.gov/dnr

Use the above link to see where metal detecting is allowed. Each city and municipality will have their own laws. Please check beforehand.