Tennessee prohibits recreational detecting in its state parks, with only a supervised lost-item search or a research permit as exceptions, and its archaeology division treats metal detecting on other state land as archaeological work that needs a permit. The captured 2020 TVA guidance says detectors are prohibited on TVA public lands; current policy was not independently confirmed. Army Corps projects have a separate designated-area rule. Here’s the detail.
Can I detect in Tennessee?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- State parksLost items onlylimited search for a lost item under supervision of the Park ManagerChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State & public landResearch permits onlyworking without a permit is a misdemeanorChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Public land & lakesVaries by sitelakes inside state parks: lost-item search only (see state parks)Checked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- City / county parksNo verdict yetSource check pending
- Army Corps lakesDesignated areasAsk the project office for the current policy and designated areas.Checked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Federal 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
Lost items onlyMetal detectors are prohibited in Tennessee state parks except for a limited lost-item search supervised by the Park Manager, an archaeologist holding a State Archaeologist permit signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, and boat or aircraft navigation equipment.
- limited search for a lost item under supervision of the Park Manager
- State Archaeologist research permit signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Recreation
- fathometers, radar and navigation electronics on boats and aircraft are exempt
What the rule says
“The use of any mineral or metal detecting device capable of detecting the underground or underwater location of geological, archaeological or historical objects or materials is prohibited. ... (c) An individual engaged in a limited search for a lost item under supervision of the Park Manager.”
Keeping finds
ProhibitedRemoving or disturbing any relic, artifact, ruin or historic feature in a Tennessee state park is prohibited; ordinary lost articles must be turned in at the park office.
- relics, artifacts, ruins, historic or prehistoric features
- lost articles found must be deposited at the Park Manager's office or nearest Ranger Station; if unclaimed after 30 days they are sent to the finder on request (Rule 0400-02-02-.15)
- collecting cultural artifacts needs a written scientific-specimen permit, issued only to people representing scientific or educational institutions (Rule 0400-02-02-.23)
What the rule says
“The intentional or wanton destruction, injury, defacement, removal or disturbance in any manner of ... any relic, artifact, ruin or historic or pre-historic feature or of any other similar public property is prohibited.”
State & public land
Research permits onlyTennessee's Division of Archaeology says metal detecting on state-owned, managed or controlled land counts as archaeological work that needs a state archaeological permit, and the permit application names an archaeologist in charge.
- state-owned, managed or controlled land (Tenn. Code Ann. §11-6-105, as the Division explains it)
- the application names an Archaeologist in General Charge and a project proposal, so it is a research permit, not a hobby permit
- working without a permit is a misdemeanor
- state parks have their own detector rule (see state parks)
What the rule says
“Anyone wishing to conduct archaeological work on state-owned, managed, or controlled lands must obtain a state archaeological permit ( Tenn. Code Ann. § 11-6-105 Excavation of State Lands ). Archaeological work includes, but is not limited to, invasive and non-invasive archaeological surveys, archaeological excavation, geophysical surveys, paleontological surveys, metal detecting, and underwater shipwreck surveys.”
Public land & lakes
Varies by siteTennessee's lakes have different managers. At Army Corps lakes, detectors are allowed on designated beaches and other previously disturbed areas unless the district closes them; TVA says detectors are strictly prohibited on its public lands; lakes inside state parks follow the state-park rule.
- Army Corps lakes: detectors only on designated beaches or previously disturbed areas, unless the District Commander closes them; ask the project office
- Army Corps lakes: removing public property, including historical and archaeological features, needs the District Commander's written permission
- lakes inside state parks: lost-item search only (see state parks)
- TVA public lands: TVA says metal detectors are strictly prohibited and artifacts are federal property (TVA page, 2020, read via Wayback); no TVA regulation naming detectors was read
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 detector rule was confirmed for city or county parks in Tennessee; ask the local park manager.
Army Corps lakes
Designated areasArmy Corps projects allow detector use on designated beaches or previously disturbed areas unless the District Commander closes them to protect archaeological, historical or paleontological resources.
- Ask the project office for the current policy and designated areas.
- Found items follow 36 CFR 327.15 and 327.16, except non-identifiable items such as coins worth less than $25 (327.14(d)).
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.”
Federal land
ProhibitedTVA’s captured 2020 guidance prohibits metal detectors on TVA public lands; current policy was not independently confirmed.
- This is TVA guidance from an archived 2020 page, not a rule for other federal managers.
What the rule says
“In addition, the use of metal detectors on TVA public lands is strictly prohibited.”
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 Tennessee state parks
TDEC Division of State Parks rules (Rule 0400-02-02-.18(6)) prohibit using any mineral or metal-detecting device, except: (1) navigation electronics such as fathometers or radar on boats and aircraft; (2) the holder of a State Archaeologist permit for legitimate archaeological research, signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Recreation; and (3) a limited search for a lost item under supervision of the Park Manager. Contact the Park Manager for a lost-item search.
Tennessee’s antiquities law
According to the state Division of Archaeology, anyone doing archaeological work on state-owned, managed or controlled land needs a state archaeological permit (Tenn. Code Ann. §11-6-105), and it lists metal detecting as archaeological work. The application names an archaeologist in charge and a project proposal, and working without a permit is a misdemeanor. In state parks, removing any relic or artifact is prohibited (Rule 0400-02-02-.18(2)).
Public land, lakes & federal
For shoreline managed by TVA or the Army Corps, apply that manager’s rules. At Army Corps lakes, detectors are allowed on designated beaches and other previously disturbed areas unless the District Commander closes them (36 CFR 327.14(d)). The captured 2020 TVA guidance says detectors are prohibited on TVA public lands; current policy was not independently confirmed. Army Corps projects have a separate designated-area rule. We haven’t sourced city and county park rules. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
- TDEC State Parks rules 0400-02-02 (PDF)
- Tennessee Antiquities Act (TCA Title 11, Ch. 6) (the agency site blocks automated checks; read it directly)
- TVA — artifacts on public lands
- 36 CFR §327.14, Public property (Army Corps water resources projects) (eCFR)
- State Archaeological Permit (TDEC Division of Archaeology)
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is metal detecting allowed in Tennessee State Parks?
- No, not for recreation — detecting devices are prohibited in state parks except for boat or aircraft navigation gear, a State Archaeologist research permit signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, or a limited search for a lost item under supervision of the Park Manager. Contact the Park Manager for a lost-item search.
- Can you detect along a Tennessee lake or reservoir shoreline?
- It depends on the manager. On Army Corps lakes, only on designated beaches and previously disturbed areas, unless the district closes them. The captured 2020 TVA guidance says detectors are prohibited on TVA public lands; current policy was not independently confirmed. Army Corps projects have a separate designated-area rule. Shores inside state parks follow the state-park ban.
- What happens to artifacts found on Tennessee state land?
- The state Division of Archaeology says archaeological work on state land, including metal detecting, needs a state archaeological permit, and working without one is a misdemeanor. In state parks, removing any relic or artifact is prohibited. We couldn’t read the Antiquities Act itself, so who owns a find isn’t covered here.
Find more, remember where
Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.
