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. A permit is required and may be obtained free of charge by 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.
Crowder State Park
Cuivre River State Park
Finger Lakes State Park
Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Lake Wappapello State Park
Lewis and Clark State Park
Long Branch State Park
Pershing State Park
Pomme de Terre State Park
St. Joe State Park
Stockton State Park
Trail of Tears State Park
Harry S Truman State Park
Wakonda State Park
Wallace State Park
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site
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
www.stlouisco.com/ParksandRecreation/MapsFacts/DepartmentPolicies
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
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
Use the above link to see where metal detecting is allowed. Each city and municipality will have their own laws. Please check beforehand.
Gateway Metal Detecting Club 