North Dakota is a clear no in its state parks — the rule bans any device used to locate or remove metal, and the Parks Department issues no recreational permits. The only opening is a staff-supervised search for a lost item. Here’s the detail.
At a glance
| State parks | Restricted No person may use any device to locate or remove metallic objects or valuables in a state park; the only exception is finding a lost item under direct park-staff supervision (or director-approved/law-enforcement work). |
|---|---|
| State & public land | Restricted NDCC Ch. 55-03 requires a permit from the State Historical Society director to investigate or excavate cultural resources on state land; unmarked burials are protected. |
| Public land & lakes | Restricted Landlocked; reservoir shorelines within a state park are covered by the ban. |
| Local & federal | Depends USACE land around Lake Sakakawea and BLM/USFS land is federal; 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 North Dakota state parks
N.D. Admin. Code 58-02-08-16 states: “No person may use any device for the purpose of locating or removing any metallic object or any other objects of value from a state park.” The exceptions are narrow — director-approved archaeological surveys, law enforcement, or locating a lost item under direct park-staff supervision. A violation is a class 1 noncriminal offense, and the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department issues no recreational permits.
North Dakota’s antiquities law
NDCC Chapter 55-03 (Archaeological and Paleontological Resources) requires a permit from the Director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota to investigate, excavate, or record cultural resources on state land (55-03-01.1), with forfeiture of finds for violations (55-03-07). Chapter 55-02 protects historic and prehistoric sites, and NDCC 23-06-27 protects unmarked burials.
Public land, lakes & local rules
North Dakota is landlocked; reservoir shorelines within a state park are covered by the ban, and federally managed reservoir shores are governed by the federal agency. USACE land around Lake Sakakawea and BLM/USFS land is federal. City and county parks vary, and private land requires the owner’s written permission. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (last verified July 2026):
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you metal detect in a North Dakota state park?
- No. N.D. Admin. Code 58-02-08-16 prohibits using any device to locate or remove metallic objects or valuables in a state park (a class 1 noncriminal offense). The only allowed use is finding a lost item under direct park-staff supervision, or director-approved archaeological or law-enforcement work.
- Does North Dakota offer a state-park metal-detecting permit?
- No — the Parks and Recreation Department doesn’t issue recreational permits; only narrow staff-supervised or director-approved exceptions exist.
- What about artifacts on North Dakota public land?
- On any state-owned land, investigating, excavating, or recording archaeological resources requires a permit from the Director of the State Historical Society (NDCC Ch. 55-03), and violators can forfeit finds; unmarked burials are protected, and private land needs the owner’s written permission.
Find more, remember where
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