Can you metal detect in New Hampshire state parks? New Hampshire allows metal detecting on beach shorelines, athletic fields, playgrounds and within 25 ft of picnic tables and pavilions unless posted; elsewhere a special-use permit is needed (Res 7301.19).
Key rules
- Prohibited at state historic sites, listed natural areas and Odiorne Point State Park.
- Items worth over $50 are subject to lost-and-found rules.
Federal land in New Hampshire
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 Hampshire state parks?
New Hampshire allows metal detecting on beach shorelines, athletic fields, playgrounds and within 25 ft of picnic tables and pavilions unless posted; elsewhere a special-use permit is needed (Res 7301.19).
Where do these New Hampshire rules come from?
From the official sources listed on this page: N.H. Code Admin. R. Res 7300. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Can I metal detect on federal land in New Hampshire?
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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