Metal Detecting at Lake Blue Ridge (TVA)
Fannin County · North Georgia · Utility lake
Last verified:
The rules
TVA prohibits the use of metal detectors on TVA public land and treats artifacts as protected resources that must be left in place (TVA discontinued its old metal-detecting permits). Much of the shoreline is Chattahoochee National Forest, which follows separate NF rules — recreational detecting is generally allowed there away from historic/archaeological sites, no digging tools, no keeping artifacts.
Permit: N/A (TVA detecting permits discontinued)
📞 Call ahead: 706-745-6928 (confirm the current rule before you go)
Why detect here
DO NOT detect on TVA land — a TVA reservoir ringed by Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia's northern gold-and-relic country; for legal detecting, work general NF forest land away from the water and historic sites.
This spot is off-limits — try one of the allowed Georgia spots instead, then gear up below.
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More spots nearby: North Georgia Mountains (Gold Country) · See the full Georgia metal detecting laws · federal rules · which detector to buy
Source: Tennessee Valley Authority — Rules for Use of TVA Public Lands / TVA Archaeology. Verify against the managing authority before detecting.