Arkansas doesn’t ban metal detecting in its state parks outright, but it doesn’t leave the door open either: searching park property “by any means” for coins, lost articles or artifacts needs written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division. Here’s what the codified rule says, and what we couldn’t confirm.
Can I detect in Arkansas?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- State parksPermit requiredChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State & public landNo verdict yetSource check pending
- Public land & lakesVaries by siteChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- City / county parksNo verdict yetSource check pending
- Army Corps lakesDesignated areasChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
Open in many areas without a permitPermit, registration, or designated beaches onlyProhibited or effectively closed
The rules, land by land
State parks
Permit requiredSearching by any means for coins, lost articles, treasure or artifacts on Arkansas state park or museum property needs written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division.
- written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division (22 CAR § 50-111(a))
- covers searching 'by any means' for minerals, lost articles, coins, treasures, artifacts or other materials
- exceptions: diamond and mineral searching at Crater of Diamonds State Park under its posted policies, and geocaching (§50-111(b))
- Crater of Diamonds search area: no motor-operated or battery-operated diamond searching equipment (§50-104(b)(1))
What the rule says
“No person shall excavate for or search for, by any means, minerals, inorganic or organic materials, lost articles, coins, treasures, artifacts, or other materials on state park/museum properties, nor remove same from park property without written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division.”
Digging
Permit requiredExcavating for coins, lost articles, treasure or artifacts on Arkansas state park or museum property needs written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division.
- written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division (22 CAR § 50-111(a))
- exception: diamond and mineral searching at Crater of Diamonds State Park under its posted policies (§50-111(b))
What the rule says
“No person shall excavate for or search for, by any means, minerals, inorganic or organic materials, lost articles, coins, treasures, artifacts, or other materials on state park/museum properties, nor remove same from park property without written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division.”
Keeping finds
Permit requiredRemoving coins, lost articles, artifacts or other materials from Arkansas state park property needs written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division.
- written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division (22 CAR § 50-111(a))
- Crater of Diamonds: diamonds and minerals found on the search area under its posted policies (§50-111(b), §50-104)
What the rule says
“No person shall excavate for or search for, by any means, minerals, inorganic or organic materials, lost articles, coins, treasures, artifacts, or other materials on state park/museum properties, nor remove same from park property without written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division.”
State & public land
No verdict yetNot yet confirmed: no official text of Arkansas Code Title 13, Ch. 6 could be read, and no cited source sets a detecting rule for Arkansas state land outside state parks.
Public land & lakes
Varies by siteLake beaches inside Arkansas state parks need the State Parks Director's written permission, while Army Corps lakes allow detectors on designated beaches and disturbed areas unless the district closes them.
- state park lakes and swim beaches: written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division
- Army Corps lakes: designated beaches or previously disturbed areas only, unless the District Commander closes them; ask the project office
- Army Corps lakes: non-identifiable items such as coins worth under $25 may be kept; other finds must be handled under 36 CFR 327.15 and 327.16, which have finders deposit them at the Manager's office or with a ranger
What the rule says
“The use of metal detectors is permitted on designated beaches or other previously disturbed areas unless prohibited by the District Commander for reasons of protection of archaeological, historical or paleontological resources.”
City / county parks
No verdict yetNo detecting rule was confirmed for city or county parks in Arkansas; ask the park manager.
Army Corps lakes
Designated areasArmy Corps projects permit detectors on designated beaches or previously disturbed areas unless the District Commander prohibits them to protect archaeological, historical or paleontological resources.
- Ask the project office for its current detector policy and designated areas.
- Found items must be handled under 36 CFR 327.15 and 327.16, except non-identifiable items such as coins worth less than $25.
What the rule says
“The use of metal detectors is permitted on designated beaches or other previously disturbed areas unless prohibited by the District Commander for reasons of protection of archaeological, historical or paleontological resources.”
Even where detecting is allowed, archaeological and historic sites are protected, and you must fill every hole and follow posted rules. Always confirm the current rule with the land manager.
Metal detecting in Arkansas state parks
Arkansas’s state-park rules are now codified in the Code of Arkansas Rules. 22 CAR § 50-111(a) says no person shall “excavate for or search for, by any means, minerals, inorganic or organic materials, lost articles, coins, treasures, artifacts, or other materials” on state park or museum property, or remove them, “without written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division.” The exceptions in § 50-111(b) are diamond and mineral searching at Crater of Diamonds State Park under its posted policies, and geocaching.
The captured 22 CAR 50-111 does not establish a seasonal beach-detecting program. The captured 50-111 supplies no seasonal beach program or tool/registration details; ask the park for its current written rule. At Crater of Diamonds, the search-area rules bar motor-operated or battery-operated diamond searching equipment (22 CAR § 50-104(b)(1)).
Arkansas’s antiquities law
Arkansas Code Title 13, Chapter 6 (Archeological Research) is the state’s antiquities law, but we couldn’t read an official copy, so we don’t summarize it here. Inside state parks, § 50-111(a) already bars removing artifacts without the Director’s written permission.
Public land, lakes & local rules
Arkansas is landlocked, so park “beaches” are inland lake swim areas. Many Arkansas lakes are U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects. There, 36 CFR 327.14(d) allows detectors on designated beaches or other previously disturbed areas unless the District Commander closes them, and the project office has the local details; some districts use a permit form, so check before you go. City and county parks weren’t confirmed here. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
- Arkansas State Parks Rules & Regulations (PD 3225) (now at https://www.arkansas.com/state-parks/state-park-rules-policies)
- Ark. Code Title 13, Ch. 6 (Archeological Research) (the agency site blocks automated checks; read it directly)
- Ark. Code §13-6-307 (the agency site blocks automated checks; read it directly)
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 22 CAR § 50-111 (Excavations or unauthorized searches), official text
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 22 CAR § 50-104 (Crater of Diamonds State Park search area), official text
- 36 CFR §327.14, Public property (Army Corps water resources projects) (eCFR)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District — Metal Detector Form (Louisiana lakes, PDF)
- 36 CFR §327.16, Lost and found articles (eCFR)
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 revisit your saved hunt records. LuckyFind does not verify land access or grant detecting permission. Free for iPhone and Android.
New to LuckyFind? Follow the first-hunt checklist, then learn how to record a hunt and add finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you metal detect in an Arkansas state park?
- Only with written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division. 22 CAR § 50-111(a) covers searching “by any means” for coins, lost articles, treasures or artifacts on state park property. The captured 22 CAR 50-111 does not establish a beach-and-season program, so ask the park.
- Do you need a permit or registration to detect in Arkansas state parks?
- Yes: the codified rule requires written permission from the Director of the State Parks Division, both to search and to remove anything you find (22 CAR § 50-111(a)). We couldn’t confirm a registration form, so ask the park how to request permission.
- What can you dig with, and how deep, in Arkansas state parks?
- Section 50-111 generally requires the Director’s written permission for searches or excavations, with express exceptions in subsection (b), including Crater of Diamonds diamond or mineral searches and geocache searches. Crater of Diamonds has separate search and equipment rules under 50-104. Expect the permission to carry its own conditions, and ask the park.
Find more, remember where
Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.
