Can you metal detect in Massachusetts state parks? On Massachusetts DCR property, metal detectors are generally prohibited except on coastal and inland sandy beaches; elsewhere only to find lost personal property with DCR permission.
Key rules
- Allowed on coastal and inland sandy beaches.
- Elsewhere: permission from DCR personnel, for lost personal property only.
- Rule: 302 CMR 12.00.
Federal land in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts state parks?
On Massachusetts DCR property, metal detectors are generally prohibited except on coastal and inland sandy beaches; elsewhere only to find lost personal property with DCR permission.
Where do these Massachusetts rules come from?
From the official sources listed on this page: 302 CMR 12.00 – DCR parks and recreation rules. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Can I metal detect on federal land in Massachusetts?
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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