Can you metal detect in Texas state parks? It is an offense to operate or use a metal detector in a Texas state park except as authorized by permit.
Key rules
- Rule: 31 TAC §59.134 (metal detector), Texas State Parks Rules and Regulations.
- Artifacts, rock, soil, minerals and fossils are protected; removal requires director authorization.
- If you find an artifact, leave it in place and tell park staff.
Federal land in Texas
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 Texas state parks?
It is an offense to operate or use a metal detector in a Texas state park except as authorized by permit.
Where do these Texas rules come from?
From the official sources listed on this page: TPWD – Texas State Parks Rules and Regulations (PDF). Last checked 2026-10-16.
Can I metal detect on federal land in Texas?
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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