Can you metal detect in New Mexico state parks? New Mexico prohibits metal detecting in state parks except with superintendent permission for scientific work or to retrieve lost items (19.5.2.24 NMAC).
Key rules
- No casual coin, relic or treasure hunting.
Federal land in New Mexico
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 New Mexico state parks?
New Mexico prohibits metal detecting in state parks except with superintendent permission for scientific work or to retrieve lost items (19.5.2.24 NMAC).
Where do these New Mexico rules come from?
From the official sources listed on this page: 19.5.2 NMAC. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Can I metal detect on federal land in New Mexico?
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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