Can you metal detect in Maryland state parks? Maryland Park Service prohibits metal detectors without an archaeology permit, except searching for modern coins and jewelry on designated swimming beaches (not Point Lookout or Calvert Cliffs).
Key rules
- Get permission from the park manager.
- Not allowed 9 a.m. to dusk from May 30 through Labor Day, or when the manager decides it would disturb visitors.
- Digging for relics or removing historic artifacts requires a Maryland Historical Trust permit (COMAR 08.07.06.18).
Federal land in Maryland
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 Maryland state parks?
Maryland Park Service prohibits metal detectors without an archaeology permit, except searching for modern coins and jewelry on designated swimming beaches (not Point Lookout or Calvert Cliffs).
Where do these Maryland rules come from?
From the official sources listed on this page: Maryland Park Service – Metal detecting policy; COMAR 08.07.06.18. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Can I metal detect on federal land in Maryland?
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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