Can you metal detect in Kentucky state parks? Kentucky regulation 304 KAR 1:050 prohibits metal detectors in all Kentucky state parks, except for park, law enforcement and utility personnel.
Key rules
- No hobbyist exception.
Federal land in Kentucky
National Park Service areas prohibit possessing or using metal detectors. National forests and BLM land generally allow low-impact detecting, but digging up or removing archaeological resources is illegal under ARPA. Federal rules →
Frequently asked
Can you metal detect in Kentucky state parks?
Kentucky regulation 304 KAR 1:050 prohibits metal detectors in all Kentucky state parks, except for park, law enforcement and utility personnel.
Where do these Kentucky rules come from?
From the official sources listed on this page: 304 KAR 1:050. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Can I metal detect on federal land in Kentucky?
Not in National Park Service areas. National forests and BLM land generally allow low-impact detecting, but archaeological resources are protected under ARPA.
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