Can you metal detect in Washington state parks? Washington State Parks allows metal detecting in designated areas of more than 30 parks where maps and registration information are posted.
Key rules
- Register with State Parks and carry your registration.
- Only posted daylight open hours and approved areas.
- Campgrounds: unoccupied sites, or your own registered site.
- Report historical or archaeological finds; do not disturb them (WAC 352-32-235).
Federal land in Washington
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 Washington state parks?
Washington State Parks allows metal detecting in designated areas of more than 30 parks where maps and registration information are posted.
Where do these Washington rules come from?
From the official sources listed on this page: Washington State Parks – Metal detecting; WAC 352-32-235. Last checked 2026-10-16.
Can I metal detect on federal land in Washington?
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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