Florida is one of the more restrictive states for inland detecting but a beach mecca within tight limits. The state-park system bans detecting everywhere except designated coastal beach strips, and a powerful state antiquities law means anything more than 50 years old is state property. Here’s exactly where the lines are.
At a glance
| State parks | Depends Prohibited on all Florida state park land except coastal parks — and there, only in the beach strip between the dune toe and the high-water line that the park manager designates. No submerged detecting; inland lake/river beaches don’t count. |
|---|---|
| State & public land | Restricted Chapter 267, F.S.: archaeological resources and items 50+ years old on state land belong to the state; disturbing them by excavation without a permit is a third-degree felony (§267.13). |
| Beaches | Depends Coastal state-park beaches only, in the manager-designated dune-to-high-water strip. City/county beaches set their own rules; federal seashores prohibit it. |
| City / county parks | Depends Varies by local ordinance — check the specific city or county. |
*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 Florida state parks
Florida State Parks prohibits metal detecting on all state park land except coastal parks, and even there it’s limited to certain beach areas between the toe of the dune and the high-water line, as designated by the park manager. Detecting in submerged locations is not allowed, and inland parks with lake, river, or spring ‘beaches’ do not count as coastal parks — detecting isn’t permitted at those.
There’s a narrow exception for recovering a visitor’s own specifically-identified lost item, but only by arrangement with the park manager and with park staff present — and you may keep only the item you were looking for.
Florida’s 50-year rule and Chapter 267
This is the one that catches detectorists out: under the Florida Historical Resources Act (Chapter 267, Florida Statutes), archaeological resources on state-owned land and sovereignty submerged land belong to the state, and anything roughly 50 or more years old is treated as an archaeological artifact you cannot keep — even if you found it in an otherwise-legal beach detecting zone. Section 267.13 makes it a third-degree felony to excavate, remove, deface, or destroy archaeological sites or specimens on state-controlled land without a permit from the Division of Historical Resources; violators forfeit their finds.
Beaches in Florida
On coastal state-park beaches, the legal detecting area is the manager-designated strip between the dune toe and the high-water line — and it varies per park, so call the specific park ahead. City and county beaches set their own rules and are sometimes more permissive. Federal beaches (national seashores and monuments) prohibit detecting under federal law. And remember the 50-year rule applies even in a legal zone.
City and county parks
Municipal and county parks and beaches in Florida are governed by local ordinance, which varies. Check the specific city or county parks department before detecting.
Don’t forget federal land
Florida’s national seashores and other National Park Service units prohibit metal detecting under 36 CFR 2.1. See our national guide for the full federal picture.
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 on Florida beaches?
- Only on coastal state-park beaches, and only in the strip between the dune toe and the high-water line that the park manager designates; submerged detecting isn’t allowed. City and county beaches set their own rules, and federal national seashores prohibit it. Note that anything 50 or more years old belongs to the state and can’t be kept.
- Can you metal detect in Florida state parks?
- Not in inland parks. Metal detecting is prohibited on all Florida state park land except coastal parks’ designated beach zones. Even in those zones, items 50+ years old are state-owned archaeological artifacts you cannot keep.
- Is there a metal detecting permit for Florida state parks?
- Florida’s coastal-park rule is based on park-manager-designated beach areas rather than a statewide paid permit. Recovering your own specifically-identified lost item requires arranging it with the park manager and is done with staff present. Confirm the current rule with the individual 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.
