Metal detecting is not legal on any state property, and the DNR is explicit about it. Detectorists’ realistic option is private land with permission. Here’s exactly what the law says.
Can I detect in Georgia?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- State parksProhibitedall state property, including Civil War sitesChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State & public landProhibitedall state property, including Civil War sitesChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- BeachesVaries by sitedepends on who owns the beach; ask that owner's permissionChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Private landPermit requiredlandowner's permission; written permission recommendedChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Local & federalVaries by siteChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- 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
ProhibitedGeorgia DNR says it is not legal to surface collect, dig or metal detect on state property, including Civil War sites, citing O.C.G.A. 12-3-10(n) and 12-3-52.
- all state property, including Civil War sites
What the rule says
“It is not legal to surface collect, dig, or metal detect on state property. This includes Civil War sites. (OCGA 12-3-10(n), 12-3-52)”
State & public land
ProhibitedSurface collecting, digging and metal detecting are not legal on Georgia state property, including Civil War sites (DNR, citing O.C.G.A. 12-3-10(n) and 12-3-52); human burials may never be disturbed regardless of ownership.
- all state property, including Civil War sites
What the rule says
“It is not legal to surface collect, dig, or metal detect on state property. This includes Civil War sites. (OCGA 12-3-10(n), 12-3-52)”
Digging
ProhibitedDigging for artifacts or surface collecting on Georgia state property is not legal, including at Civil War sites.
- all state property, including Civil War sites
- never disturb human burials, on any land (OCGA 31-21-6)
What the rule says
“It is not legal to surface collect, dig, or metal detect on state property. This includes Civil War sites. (OCGA 12-3-10(n), 12-3-52)”
Beaches
Varies by siteAtlantic coast; beaches may be private or government-owned, and state-owned beaches are under the state-property detecting ban. Confirm ownership first.
- depends on who owns the beach; ask that owner's permission
- state-owned beaches fall under the state-property ban
- DNR Law Enforcement Region VII office in Brunswick can help identify the owner
What the rule says
“To collect artifacts or metal detect on beaches along the coast of Georgia, it is also necessary to first determine ownership of that land and ask permission. Beaches may be private or owned by a governmental agency.”
Private land
Permit requiredOn private land in Georgia, get the landowner's permission (written is recommended) before detecting, and never disturb burials.
- landowner's permission; written permission recommended
- surface collecting is legal on private dry land that is not posted, gated or fenced against entry; written permission is recommended (OCGA 12-3-621)
- never disturb human burials
What the rule says
“Hobbyists and professional archaeologists alike must determine who owns the land and ask their permission first, before undertaking any activity.”
Digging
Permit requiredDigging for artifacts on private land in Georgia, including at a metal-detector hit, needs the landowner's written permission and advance notice to the State Archaeologist if it disturbs an archaeological site.
- landowner's written permission
- notify the State Archaeologist before disturbing the surface of an archaeological site to investigate it or discover artifacts (OCGA 12-3-621, as DNR states it)
- never disturb human burials (OCGA 31-21-6)
What the rule says
“On privately-owned land, it is legal to dig for artifacts (including when artifacts have been found by metal detecting) if you have written permission of the landowner.”
Lakes & rivers
Keeping finds
Varies by siteTaking artifacts from Georgia waters depends on who owns them: not legal from state-owned water bottoms, allowed with permission in private waterways, and local or federal waters follow that agency's policy.
- state-owned waters: not legal (OCGA 12-3-80)
- privately-owned waterways: landowner's permission
- local or federal waters: ask the managing agency
What the rule says
“It is legal to collect artifacts with the permission of the landowner in privately-owned waterways. It is not legal to take artifacts off the bottom of state-owned waters. (OCGA 12-3-80) If the body of water you're interested in is owned or managed by a local or federal government agency, contact that agency for their policy on artifact collecting.”
Local & federal
Varies by siteMacon-Bibb County permits detecting in developed parks under its guidelines; Acworth limits it to Army Corps-approved locations. These examples do not establish rules for other local parks.
- Macon-Bibb County: permit from Parks and Recreation, four months, developed parks only, no ball fields and no digging tools
- Acworth: only at Army Corps-designated locations, including Logan Farm Park under the Corps rules; never on athletic fields
What the rule says
“A permit will be issued by the Business Division of the Parks and Recreation Department. Permits are limited to four (4) months in duration.”
Army Corps lakes
Designated areasThe Allatoona Lake leaflet linked by Acworth limits detecting to approved areas during daylight and the listed seasonal times.
- This leaflet covers Allatoona Lake; it does not establish rules for every Corps project in Georgia.
- Ask the project office for the current approved areas: the captured map is dated December 2003 and says the list may change without notice.
- Non-identifiable items worth less than $25 may be kept; identifiable, more valuable, historical, archaeological and paleontological items must be deposited with a park ranger or the nearest Operations Manager’s Office.
- Dig only in bare soil or sand, restore disturbed soil, and do not disturb vegetation. Hand tools must be usable in one hand, no more than 4 inches wide and 12 inches long.
- Outside the listed areas or times, a Specified Acts Permit from the Allatoona Lake Operations Manager is available only to search for a specific lost personal item.
What the rule says
“Only in areas designed “approved”.”
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 Georgia state parks
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (which runs the state park system) states it is not legal to surface collect, dig, or metal detect on any state property, including Civil War sites. Its FAQ cites O.C.G.A. 12-3-10(n) and 12-3-52 for that rule.
Georgia’s antiquities law
On private land, DNR says digging for artifacts (including at a metal-detector hit) is legal with the landowner’s written permission. DNR also says notifying the State Archaeologist is required by law (O.C.G.A. 12-3-621) when the surface of an archaeological site is disturbed to investigate it or discover artifacts. Human burials may never be disturbed regardless of who owns the land.
Beaches, private land & local rules
Georgia has an Atlantic coast, but there’s no blanket permission — beaches may be private or government-owned, and state-owned beaches are covered by the detecting ban. DNR advises confirming ownership first (its Region VII Law Enforcement office in Brunswick can help). On private dry land that isn’t posted, surface collecting is legal with the landowner’s permission (written is recommended); digging for artifacts, including artifacts found with a detector, needs the landowner’s written permission, and burials are always off-limits. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
- Georgia DNR / State Parks — Artifact Collecting & Metal Detecting FAQ
- Georgia DNR — Artifact Collecting overview
- Macon-Bibb County Parks and Recreation — Metal Detectors Guidelines (PDF)
- City of Acworth — 'Is Metal Detecting allowed at City Parks?' and the linked Corps of Engineers metal detector policy (PDF)
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers metal detector policy and approved areas (Lake Allatoona), as posted by the City of Acworth
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 a Georgia state park to find modern lost coins or jewelry?
- No. Georgia DNR says it is not legal to metal detect on state property, citing O.C.G.A. 12-3-10(n) and 12-3-52, and its FAQ lists no exception for hunting modern lost items.
- Is metal detecting on private property legal in Georgia?
- Yes, with the landowner’s permission, and digging for artifacts (including artifacts found with a detector) needs the landowner’s written permission. You may never disturb human burials regardless of ownership, and DNR says the State Archaeologist must be notified before you disturb an archaeological site to investigate it or look for artifacts.
- Can you detect on a Georgia beach?
- It depends entirely on who owns that stretch. Georgia beaches may be private or government-owned, and state-owned coastal land is covered by the detecting prohibition, so DNR advises confirming ownership and getting permission first.
Find more, remember where
Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.
