Can you metal detect in California state parks? California State Parks has no single statewide metal detecting rule page; restrictions are set park-by-park through posted District Superintendent orders. Several units ban possessing or using detectors outright.
Key rules
- Auburn SRA, Folsom Lake SRA and Marshall Gold Discovery SHP: possessing or using a metal detector is prohibited (Gold Fields District orders), except transporting one unused in a vehicle on a public road.
- All Northern Buttes District units (incl. Lake Oroville SRA, Castle Crags SP, McArthur-Burney Falls SP, Clear Lake SP) prohibit possession and use of metal detectors.
- Exceptions must be granted in writing by the District Superintendent.
- Check the posted orders for the specific park before you go.
Federal land in California
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 California state parks?
California State Parks has no single statewide metal detecting rule page; restrictions are set park-by-park through posted District Superintendent orders. Several units ban possessing or using detectors outright.
Where do these California rules come from?
From the official sources listed on this page: Gold Fields District order – Auburn SRA (2026); Northern Buttes District order 645-402. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Can I metal detect on federal land in California?
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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