Maryland’s state-park rule is permit-based, but there’s a practical carve-out: hunting modern coins and jewelry on designated swimming beaches with the Park Manager’s OK, outside 9 a.m. to dusk in summer. Two named beaches are always excluded, and anything historic belongs to the state. Here’s the detail.
Can I detect in Maryland?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- State parksPermit requiredmodern coins, jewelry and similar items onlyChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State & public landResearch permits onlyartifacts on state land belong to the StateChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- BeachesVaries by siteexcludes Point Lookout and Calvert Cliffs State ParksChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- City / county parksNo verdict yetSource check pending
- National Park Service landProhibitedChecked 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 requiredYou may not dig for relics, remove artifacts, or use a detector on Park Service land without a permit, except hunting modern coins and jewelry on designated swimming beaches with the Park Manager's permission, outside 9 a.m. to dusk from May 30 through Labor Day.
- designated swimming beaches operated by the Service only, except Point Lookout and Calvert Cliffs
- modern coins, jewelry and similar items only
- permission from the Park Manager
- not 9 a.m. through dusk, May 30 through Labor Day; other times at the Park Manager's discretion (COMAR 08.07.06.18D(3))
- everywhere else: MHT permit, issued only to archaeologists and qualified persons with a scientific plan (II.B)
What the rule says
“Digging in search of buried relics or treasures, the removal of any prehistoric or historic artifacts, and the use of metal detectors (except as noted in D, below) within the boundaries of lands, beaches, or under waters controlled by the Maryland Park Service is strictly prohibited without a permit from the Office of Archaeology, Maryland Historical Trust, Department of Planning.”
State & public land
Research permits onlyOn Maryland state forests and wildlife management areas, using a metal detector needs a Maryland Historical Trust archaeology permit, issued to archaeologists with a scientific plan; state forests allow coin and jewelry hunting on designated swimming beaches.
- state forests: permits from the Maryland Historical Trust's Office of Archeology and DNR, for archaeologists and other qualified people with a plan for scientific investigation
- state forests: no permit needed to search designated swimming beaches for modern coins and jewelry
- wildlife management areas: a Maryland Historical Trust permit and a DNR use permit before using a detector
- artifacts on state land belong to the State
What the rule says
“Without permits from the Office of Archeology, Maryland Historical Trust, Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Department, an individual may not dig in search of buried relics or treasures, remove prehistoric or historic artifacts, or use metal detectors ... within the boundaries of lands, beaches, or under waters controlled by the Service.”
Digging
Research permits onlyExcavating, removing or disturbing archaeological sites on state-controlled land or underwater needs a Maryland Historical Trust permit, issued only to qualified people, typically for research.
- archaeological sites, terrestrial and submerged
What the rule says
“Maryland law requires a permit to excavate, remove, or disturb archaeological sites on state-controlled land, both on land and underwater. MHT issues permits only to qualified individuals or organizations, typically for research or preservation purposes”
Keeping finds
ProhibitedArtifacts found on Maryland state land belong to the State.
- archaeological objects and materials
What the rule says
“Artifacts found on state land belong to the State and must be preserved.”
Beaches
Varies by siteDesignated state-park swimming beaches (not Point Lookout or Calvert Cliffs) allow modern-item detecting with the Park Manager's permission, except 9 a.m. to dusk from May 30 through Labor Day; National Park Service beaches ban detectors; town beaches were not read.
- designated swimming beaches and adjacent waters operated by the Service
- excludes Point Lookout and Calvert Cliffs State Parks
- modern coins, jewelry and similar items only
- permission from the Park Manager
- not 9 a.m. through dusk, May 30 through Labor Day; other times at the Park Manager's discretion (COMAR 08.07.06.18D(3))
- National Park Service land: possessing or using a metal detector is banned (36 CFR 2.1(a)(7))
- town and county beaches: no cited source
What the rule says
“The only exception to the aforementioned permit requirements shall be for the use of metal detectors in the search for modern coins, jewelry, etc. on all designated swimming beaches operated by the Maryland Park Service, with the exception of Point Lookout State Park and Calvert Cliffs State Park, and all adjacent waters controlled by the Service.”
City / county parks
No verdict yetNo detecting rule was confirmed for city or county parks in Maryland; ask the park manager.
National Park Service land
ProhibitedPossessing or using a metal detector is prohibited in National Park Service areas.
- Exceptions include a device broken down and packed to prevent use, navigation and safety equipment, and equipment used for authorized scientific, mining or administrative activities.
What the rule says
“Possessing or using a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, side scan sonar, other metal detecting device, or subbottom profiler.”
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 Maryland state parks
Under COMAR 08.07.06.18 and the Maryland Park Service’s Agency Policy 13-17, you may not dig for relics or treasures, remove artifacts, or use a metal detector on Park Service lands, beaches, or waters without a permit — and those permits are issued through the Maryland Historical Trust Office of Archeology to archeologists and other qualified people with a plan for scientific investigation. The exception (§D): detectors are allowed on designated swimming beaches (except Point Lookout and Calvert Cliffs) for modern coins and jewelry, with the Park Manager’s permission, during normal park hours but not from 9 a.m. through dusk between May 30 and Labor Day.
Maryland’s antiquities law
Archaeological provisions administered by the Maryland Historical Trust (State Finance and Procurement Article §§5A-333–5A-346) require an MHT permit to excavate, remove, or disturb archaeological sites or objects on state land and underwater; artifacts on state-owned or state-controlled land belong to the State. The beach exception covers only modern items.
Beaches, local rules & federal land
Service-operated designated swimming beaches allow modern-item detecting with the Park Manager’s permission during normal park hours, except 9 a.m. through dusk from May 30 through Labor Day, and other times are at the manager’s discretion; never at Point Lookout or Calvert Cliffs. On National Park Service land, such as Assateague Island National Seashore, federal rules ban possessing or using a detector (36 CFR 2.1(a)(7)). We haven’t read town or county beach rules, so check locally. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
- Maryland DNR — Metal Detecting
- COMAR 08.07.06.18
- Maryland Historical Trust — governing statutes
- COMAR 08.07.01.18, State forests: relics, treasures and metal detectors (LII mirror)
- COMAR 08.03.02.18, Wildlife management areas: relics, treasures and metal detectors (LII mirror)
- COMAR 08.07.01.18, Relics, Treasures, and Metal Detectors (Library of Maryland Regulations)
- COMAR 08.07.06.18, Relics, Treasures, and Metal Detectors (State Parks), official text
- COMAR 08.03.02.18, Relics, Treasures, and Metal Detectors (Wildlife Areas), official text
- 36 CFR §2.1, Preservation of natural, cultural and archeological resources (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 a Maryland state park?
- Not by right — COMAR 08.07.06.18 and Agency Policy 13-17 prohibit metal detectors on Maryland Park Service lands without a permit, and those permits go only to archeologists and other qualified people with a scientific plan. The lone exception is hunting modern coins and jewelry on designated swimming beaches with the Park Manager’s permission.
- Which Maryland state-park beaches can you detect, and when?
- Service-operated designated swimming beaches, except Point Lookout and Calvert Cliffs, with the Park Manager’s permission. Detecting is allowed during normal park hours but not from 9 a.m. through dusk between May 30 and Labor Day, and other times are at the manager’s discretion.
- What if you dig up an old artifact on Maryland state land?
- Artifacts on state-owned or state-controlled land belong to the State of Maryland, and excavating or removing archaeological material requires a Maryland Historical Trust permit under State Finance and Procurement §§5A-333–5A-346. The beach exception covers only modern items.
Find more, remember where
Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.
