Federal Metal Detecting Laws

Federal rules sit on top of every state and local rule. When they conflict, the stricter one wins.

• National Park Service land = off limits. ARPA prohibits detecting on all NPS units — national parks, monuments, seashores, historic sites. In Everglades National Park even carrying a detector is forbidden.
• The 50-year / antiquities rule. Items over 50 years old on public land are archaeological resources; title vests in the state — leave them in place.
• Submerged & sovereignty lands. Below the mean high-water line is state-owned; disturbing sediment is illegal without a state permit.
• BLM / National Forest. Generally allow hobby detecting for modern items under "casual use," but never at recorded archaeological sites.