Authorization is required before detector use throughout the stated scope.
Where it applies
Flint State Park’s five units—Chevy Commons, Mott Park Recreation Area, Riverbank Park, Vietnam Veterans Park, and Happy Hollow Nature Area—and their connector trails.
Main restrictions
Designated areas only
Tool-type limits
Ground-restoration requirements
Protected-resource exclusions
Archaeological-resource exclusions
Found-property rules
Last reviewed
Where you can detect
Where detecting is allowed
Only areas expressly authorized by the issued permit and current park instructions.
Where it is restricted or prohibited
Any area outside the issued permit’s scope.
Designated historic and archaeological sites.
Permission
Permit or written permission
Michigan DNR classifies Flint State Park as permit-only and directs visitors to contact Genesee County Parks. The retrieved official pages do not publish an application form, issuer statement, fee, expiration, processing time, or authorized-area map; obtain those terms before detecting.
Digging and recovery
Recovery tools are limited by DNR guidance to probes or small hand trowels used without unduly disturbing the land.
A probe or small hand trowel may be used if the land is not unduly disturbed, and all disturbed material must be replaced. Large-scale digging is prohibited except as part of a DNR-authorized and properly permitted archaeological project.
Keeping or reporting finds
All recovered items must be checked by a unit employee. Artifacts must be left in their original position; relics, aboriginal antiquities, and abandoned property of historical or recreational value are retained by the state. Recorded lost property may be returned to its owner by park staff.
Before you go
Before you go
Contact Genesee County Parks through the DNR-linked official site for the metal-detecting permit and authorized boundaries. The official Flint State Park contact number is 810-736-7100.
Check posted signs before you go. Rules, closures, maps, and permit procedures can change.
Official sources
Official sources
These links show the rules and dates used for this page.
Source authority: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Source role: Controlling
Exact claim established: The DNR page states the park classifications, limits detecting to specifically designated open areas, excludes designated historic and archaeological sites, gives small-tool and ground-restoration rules, and requires staff review of recovered items.
Evidence locator: No narrower locator is recorded; review the linked official source.
Source authority: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Source role: Property scope
Exact claim established: The current page identifies five park units, lists metal detecting by permit only, describes Genesee County Parks as the day-to-day manager in partnership with DNR, notes construction in some areas, and provides the contact number 810-736-7100.
Evidence locator: No narrower locator is recorded; review the linked official source.
Source authority: Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Source role: Supporting
Exact claim established: Order 5.26(1) prohibits detector use outside an area shown open on the current access map unless the unit supervisor or manager provides written authorization; the order calls for access maps to be published by April 15 each year.
Evidence locator: No narrower locator is recorded; review the linked official source.
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.
Permission
The mapped red-shaded areas are open under the current property guidance. Written authorization is required elsewhere.
