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Can I Detect Here? · Field reference

Grand Haven State Park

Allowed with restrictions. The Michigan DNR says the entire park is open to metal detecting, subject to statewide rules. Only registered campers may detect in campground areas.

Exact geographic scope
The entire Grand Haven State Park is open to detecting subject to statewide rules; only registered campers may detect in campground areas.
Permit or permission
No separate authorization is stated for the listed scope.
Campground condition
Only registered campers may metal detect in campgrounds.
Main restrictions
  • Designated historic and archaeological sites remain off-limits.
Digging and recovery
DNR guidance allows probes or small hand trowels 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. DNR guidance expressly allows probes or small hand trowels for subsurface recovery if the land is not unduly disturbed; replace disturbed material.
Find reporting or removal
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. Staff will return recovered items recorded as lost when ownership can be established and the rightful owner contacted.
Material sources
Material sources checked September 22, 2026.
AI source audit
Source-supported · Completed September 22, 2026 · 3 material sources reviewed. Evidence strength: high. This describes source support, not guaranteed permission.
Next source audit
March 21, 2027
Historical named review
Marc LaClear, August 19, 2026; earlier claims: Metal-detector use; Permission requirements; Digging or recovering objects; Keeping or reporting objects; Where the rule applies. It does not cover later evidence or wording. How answers are checked: https://canidetecthere.com/about/#review-model
Primary official source
https://www.michigan.gov/recsearch/parks/grandhaven
Land-manager phone
616-847-1309
Live record
https://canidetecthere.com/locations/michigan/grand-haven-state-park/
Print date
Write the print date here: __________________

Recheck live signs and official sources before detecting. This independent summary does not grant permission. Closures, permit terms and conditions can change.

Metal-detecting answer

Grand Haven State Park

Allowed with restrictions

The Michigan DNR says the entire park is open to metal detecting, subject to statewide rules. Only registered campers may detect in campground areas.

Open official source Call land manager: 616-847-1309Report a correction
Answer
Allowed with restrictions
Permission
No separate authorization is stated for the listed scope.
Where it applies
The entire Grand Haven State Park is open to detecting subject to statewide rules; only registered campers may detect in campground areas.
Campground
Only registered campers may metal detect in campgrounds.
Main restrictions
  • Campground conditions
  • Tool-type limits
  • Ground-restoration requirements
  • Protected-resource exclusions
  • Archaeological-resource exclusions
  • Found-property rules
Sources checked
Material sources checked September 22, 2026.
Source freshness
Recently source-checked
How this answer was checked
Audit method
AI source audit
Audit date
Audit result
Source-supported
Material sources
3
Evidence strength
High — The current Grand Haven property page and Michigan DNR metal-detecting page support the park-wide scope; the statewide guidance and current land-use order supply the protected-site, recovery, and found-item conditions.
Next audit

Historical named review

Marc LaClear, Publisher/editor ·

This earlier review covers only the following claims as they stood on that date. It does not apply to later evidence or wording:

  • Metal-detector use
  • Permission requirements
  • Digging or recovering objects
  • Keeping or reporting objects
  • Where the rule applies

The JSON receipt lists the original claim identifiers.

Where you can detect

Where detecting is allowed

  • The entire park, subject to statewide rules. Only registered campers may detect in campground areas.

Where it is restricted or prohibited

  • Designated historic and archaeological sites remain off-limits.

Digging and recovery

  • DNR guidance expressly allows probes or small hand trowels for subsurface recovery if the land is not unduly disturbed; replace disturbed material.
  • DNR guidance allows probes or small hand trowels 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. Staff will return recovered items recorded as lost when ownership can be established and the rightful owner contacted.

Important restrictions

  • Only registered campers may metal detect in campgrounds.

Before you go

Before you go

A Recreation Passport may be required for vehicle entry, but it is not a metal-detecting permit. Only registered campers may detect in campground areas; check current park signs and closures.

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.

Grand Haven State Park

Source authority: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Source role: Decisive

What this source supports: The current Grand Haven State Park property page establishes that the entire park is open to metal detecting and that only registered campers may detect in campgrounds.

Evidence locator: Amenities & activities; Stay overnight · Amenities & activities > Metal detecting; Contact; Stay overnight

Editorial paraphrase: The current property page establishes that the entire park is open to metal detecting and identifies the campground condition: only registered campers may detect in campgrounds.

Date checked:

Metal detecting

Source authority: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Source role: Controlling

What this source supports: The DNR page lists Grand Haven State Park among parks open to metal detecting, excludes designated historic and archaeological sites, and says found items must be reviewed by park staff and may be retained for further investigation.

Evidence locator: Metal detecting regulations; Parks open to metal detecting; By permit only; Parks with designated areas open to metal detecting

Date checked:

Land Use Order of the Director Amendment No. 6 of 2023

Source authority: Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Source role: Restriction

What this source supports: 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: PDF page 4, Order 5.26(1)

Published
Last modified
Date checked:

Related records

Michigan · State parkAllowed with restrictions

Algonac State Park

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.

Permission
The mapped red-shaded areas are open under the current property guidance. Written authorization is required elsewhere.
Source checks
Source checks through September 22, 2026
AI source audit
Source-supported with limitations
Read the full answer
Michigan · State parkPermit required

Flint State Park

A 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.

Permission
Authorization is required before detector use throughout the stated scope.
Source checks
Source checks through September 22, 2026
AI source audit
Source-supported with limitations
Read the full answer