Arkansas allows metal detecting in its state parks, but on a tight leash: nine specific lake swimming beaches, off-season only, set hours, and a registration form you must carry. Everywhere else in the park system is off-limits. Here’s exactly how it works.
At a glance
| State parks | Depends Allowed only at nine designated state-park swimming beaches, off-season (day after Labor Day to the weekend before Memorial Day), 8 a.m.–5 p.m., with a registration form carried on you. |
|---|---|
| State & public land | Restricted Arkansas Code Title 13, Ch. 6 (Archeological Research) bars digging up or removing artifacts and disturbing state archeological landmarks without permission. |
| Public land & lakes | Depends Landlocked; the only park detecting is on inland lake swimming beaches. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes require a free written permit. |
| Local & federal | Depends Crater of Diamonds State Park prohibits detectors; city/county parks vary. |
*Even where detecting is allowed, archaeological/historic sites are protected and you must fill holes and follow posted rules. Always confirm the current rule with the specific land manager.
Metal detecting in Arkansas state parks
Arkansas State Parks governs detecting under Park Directive PD 3225. It’s allowed only at designated state-park swimming beaches — Crowley’s Ridge, Daisy, DeGray Lake Resort, Lake Catherine, Lake Charles, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Ouachita, Village Creek, and Woolly Hollow — from the day after Labor Day through the weekend before Memorial Day, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and only with a registration form on your person.
Digging tools are limited to ice picks, screwdrivers, or probes (max 2″ wide) and sand scoops (max 6″×8″) used only on sand; holes are capped at 6″ deep and must be refilled immediately. Items of historical or archaeological significance may not be removed, and a found-property report must be filed before you leave. Crater of Diamonds State Park prohibits detectors entirely.
Arkansas’s antiquities law
Arkansas Code Title 13, Chapter 6 (Archeological Research) protects archaeological sites and landmarks. Section 13-6-307 penalizes digging up or removing an artifact without permission, and §13-6-306 covers state archeological landmarks — so disturbing sites on state or private land without permission is barred.
Public land, lakes & local rules
Arkansas is landlocked, so park “beaches” are inland lake swim areas — the nine parks above. Many Arkansas lakes are U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, which require a free written Metal Detector Permit and restrict detecting to designated swim beaches (federal land, separate from state parks). City and county parks set their own ordinances. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (last verified July 2026):
Once you’ve confirmed where you’re allowed to hunt, LuckyFind helps you make the most of it — track your route on the map, log each find with its location, and remember exactly which spots you have permission for. Free for iPhone and Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you metal detect anywhere in an Arkansas state park?
- No. It is restricted to nine designated lake swimming beaches, and only in the off-season (day after Labor Day to the weekend before Memorial Day), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Detecting is not permitted in the rest of the park.
- Do you need a permit or registration to detect in Arkansas state parks?
- You must complete a metal-detecting registration form and keep it on you while detecting, and file a found-property report before leaving. There is no general permit, but the registration is mandatory.
- What can you dig with, and how deep, in Arkansas state parks?
- Only small hand tools — ice picks, screwdrivers, or probes up to 2 inches wide, and sand scoops up to 6 by 8 inches used only on sand. Holes must be 6 inches deep or less and refilled immediately, restoring the surface.
Find more, remember where
Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.
