Public-land rule directory
Search by park, beach, state, land manager, or answer. Open the official source before visiting because rules and posted conditions can change.
12 researched records in Michigan and Ohio.
A missing result means the location is not researched here yet—not that detecting is allowed.
Metal detecting is limited to the red-shaded areas on DNR’s currently linked Algonac map. Only registered campers may metal detect in campground areas. All other areas are closed unless the unit supervisor or manager gives written authorization.
Only registered campers may metal detect in campgrounds.
Caution: The currently linked map is dated March 2004.
Read the full answerNo permit is required. Outside beach areas, detecting is surface-only with no digging. Detecting on the named sandy beaches is limited to October 1–May 15, with hole-depth and restoration conditions.
Read the full answerNo permit is required for Edgewater’s sandy beach during the October 1–May 15 detecting season. Holes must be no deeper than 12 inches and filled immediately.
Read the full answerA permit is required before metal detecting at Flint State Park; confirm the current process before visiting.
Caution: Complete public detector-permit terms are not available.
Read the full answerThe Michigan DNR says the entire park is open to metal detecting, subject to statewide rules. Only registered campers may detect in campground areas.
Only registered campers may metal detect in campgrounds.
Read the full answerThe official FAQ supports detector use with a free park-office permit in permitted areas. The public rules separately restrict collecting objects and soil. The published sources do not explain what recovery the detector permit allows.
Caution: The detector permit’s recovery terms are not published.
Read the full answerAn annual Lake Metroparks permit is required and is valid only in listed parks and eligible surface areas.
Caution: Official sources use different $10 reporting thresholds.
Read the full answerMetal-detector use is prohibited throughout Metroparks Toledo parklands under the district's published rules.
Read the full answerDNR separates open parks, properties with mapped open areas, and permit-only properties. Local maps and conditions control. Flint State Park requires a permit; outside mapped open areas, written unit-manager authorization is required.
Read the full answerMetal detecting is permitted without written permission in eligible sand-beach and qualifying mowed areas. Written area-manager permission is required elsewhere, including mowed areas associated with campgrounds.
Mowed areas associated with campgrounds are outside the automatically permitted area categories. Obtain written permission from the area manager before detecting there.
Read the full answerOnly the small red-shaded area on the current DNR map is open by default. Only registered campers may metal detect in campground areas. Detector use elsewhere requires written authorization from the unit supervisor or manager.
Only registered campers may metal detect in campgrounds.
Caution: Use the small marked Union Bay area.
Read the full answerMetal detectors are prohibited in Summit Metro Parks.
Read the full answer