Washington is genuinely detector-friendly at the state-park level — more than 30 parks, plus the ocean beach between the water’s edge and the high-tide line — but it runs on a register-first system with clear tool and depth limits. Here’s how to do it right.
Can I detect in Washington?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- State parksPermit requiredregister with State Parks firstChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State & public landNo verdict yetSource check pending
- BeachesPermit requiredChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Local & federalVaries by siteother cities and counties: ask the parks departmentChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- Federal landNo verdict yetSource check pending
Open in many areas without a permitPermit, registration, or designated beaches onlyProhibited or effectively closed
The rules, land by land
State parks
Permit requiredDetecting is permitted in designated portions of more than 30 state parks after registering with State Parks; items that are or appear to be of historical or archaeological significance must remain where found and be reported immediately to park staff.
- only posted portions of approved parks (State Parks says more than 30 parks); no posted information means no detecting
- register with State Parks first
- daylight hours the park is posted open; not during seasonal or emergency closures, except where otherwise posted
- campsites: your own registered site or unoccupied sites in approved campgrounds
- tools: ice picks, screwdrivers, probes up to 2 in wide; sand scoops up to 6 x 8 in with perforations at least 1/2 in, sand only
- holes max 6 in deep, refilled at once
- Items that are or appear to be of historical or archaeological significance must remain where found; report them immediately to park staff. The area where the find occurred must be closed.
- Group-detecting events require the agency’s Special Activity Permit; WAC 352-32-235(4) describes exceptional-use authorization through a special recreation event application.
- Source discrepancy: agency wording refers to unoccupied campsites, while WAC 352-32-235(1) also permits a registered user to detect in their own occupied campsite.
What the rule says
“(1) The use of metal detectors is permitted only within specified portions of approved state parks as posted for public reference. ... (3) Any person wishing to use a metal detector shall so indicate to park personnel at the park where the use is to occur, by complying with the registration process provided for such purpose.”
Keeping finds
AllowedSmall contemporary items such as circulating coins may be kept, but anything that is or appears to be historical or archaeological must stay where found and be reported, and other found property goes to park staff.
- small contemporary materials (WAC 352-32-235, opening paragraph)
- coins in circulation are not subject to the lost-and-found statute
- Other found property: turn it in with a Found Property Report; release to the finder requires no owner found within the specified time limits, completion of official proceedings involving the property, and compliance with all requirements.
- items that are or appear to be of historical or archaeological significance may not be removed; report and the area is closed (WAC 352-32-235(6)(b))
What the rule says
“The use and operation of metal detectors, as well as the removal of small contemporary materials, is permitted within selected state parks as designated by the director or designee”
Digging
Permit requiredRegistered detectorists in approved park areas may dig only with ice picks, screwdrivers, narrow probes or perforated sand scoops (sand only), to 6 inches, refilling every hole at once.
- same registration and posted areas as the state parks rule
- ice picks, screwdrivers and probes up to 2 in wide
- sand scoops up to 6 x 8 in with perforations at least 1/2 in, on sand surfaces only
- holes max 6 in deep, refilled immediately and the surface restored
- never disturb park facilities, natural features or historical or archaeological resources (WAC 352-32-235(6)(b))
What the rule says
“Limit digging implements to ice picks, screwdrivers and probes not to exceed two inches in width and sand scoops not to exceed six inches in width and eight inches in length, containing perforations no less than one-half inch in width, to be used only on sand surfaces. Any holes dug shall be limited to six inches maximum depth”
State & public land
No verdict yetNo cited source sets a detector rule for Washington state land outside state parks. Chapter 27.53 RCW makes it unlawful to remove, alter, dig into or excavate any archaeological resource or site on the private and public lands of the state without a permit (see the dig rule).
Digging
Research permits onlyDigging into, excavating or removing any historic or prehistoric archaeological resource or site, on public or private land, needs a written permit from the director of the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation; civil penalties run up to $5,000 per violation.
- historic or prehistoric archaeological resources and sites, on private and public land
- permit from the director (DAHP) with the owner or land manager's consent (§060(2))
- disturbing Indian graves, cairns, glyptic or painted records, or historic graves is a class C felony (§060(1))
- does not apply to surface artifacts that are not historic archaeological resources (§060(5))
- civil penalty up to $5,000 per violation; a violator's artifacts become state property until ownership is determined (§095)
What the rule says
“On the private and public lands of this state it shall be unlawful for any person ... to knowingly remove, alter, dig into, or excavate ... any historic or prehistoric archaeological resource or site, or remove any archaeological object from such site ... without having obtained a written permit from the director for such activities.”
Beaches
Permit requiredWashington State Parks allows detecting between the ocean water's edge and the mean high tide line along the coast, and lists the Seashore Conservation Area among its parks with metal detecting; register first, as in other state parks.
- between the ocean water's edge and the mean high tide line along the Washington coast (brochure)
- the Seashore Conservation Area appears on State Parks' list of popular parks with metal detecting
- register with State Parks first; WAC 352-32-235 limits apply; sand scoops on sand only
What the rule says
“Metal detecting is allowed between the ocean water’s edge and the mean high tide line along the Washington coast.”
Local & federal
Varies by siteCity and county parks set their own rules: Spokane's city parks need no permit but close some parks and allow only narrow probes, while Spokane County requires a $10 annual permit.
- Spokane city parks: no permit; not in Riverfront Park, Highbridge/Peoples Park or formal gardens; probes no wider than 3/8 inch, no shovels or trowels; no digging on riverbanks
- Spokane County parks: a $10 annual metal detector permit is required on county-owned and managed park property (county page, read via Wayback)
- other cities and counties: ask the parks department
What the rule says
“No permit is required; however, metal detecting activity in parks is a privilege that can be revoked if these rules, Park Rules under Section 12.06A.040 of Spokane Municipal Code, and other applicable laws and regulations are not followed.”
Federal land
No verdict yetDetector rules for federal land were not confirmed by the sources read; ask the specific federal manager.
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 Washington state parks
Washington State Parks (Parks and Recreation Commission) allows metal detecting under WAC 352-32-235, but only “within specified portions of approved state parks as posted for public reference” — more than 30 parks, where some allow detecting in developed public-use areas and unoccupied campsites and others only in specific areas. The agency wording says unoccupied campsites, while WAC 352-32-235(1) also allows a registered user to detect in their own occupied campsite; these descriptions differ. You must first register with State Parks (there’s an online registration form) and comply with all posted rules. Tools are limited to ice picks, screwdrivers, and probes no wider than 2 inches plus sand scoops (max 6″×8″, perforations at least half an inch wide, sand surfaces only); holes are capped at 6 inches deep and must be refilled and restored. Any item that is or appears to be of historical or archaeological significance may not be removed and must be reported to park staff.
Washington’s antiquities law
RCW 27.53.060 restricts knowingly disturbing historic or prehistoric archaeological resources or sites, or removing archaeological objects from such sites, without a DAHP permit. The section exempts removal of artifacts exposed on the ground surface that are not historic archaeological resources or sites; RCW 27.53.095 provides civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.
Beaches, local rules & federal land
State Parks allows detecting between the ocean water’s edge and the mean high tide line along the coast, and lists the Seashore Conservation Area among its parks with metal detecting, under the same registration and WAC 352-32-235 rules; archaeological finds still may not be removed. City and county parks set their own rules (Spokane’s city parks, for example, need no permit but close some parks), while RCW 27.53 protections apply on private and public land alike. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
- Washington State Parks — Metal Detecting
- WAC 352-32-235 (use of metal detectors)
- Chapter 27.53 RCW (Archaeological Sites)
- Washington State Parks — Metal Detecting brochure (PDF, 05/22)
- RCW 27.53.060 (Disturbing archaeological resource or site — permit required)
- RCW 27.53.095 (Knowing and willful failure to obtain or comply with permit — penalties)
- RCW 27.53.040 (Archaeological resources — declaration)
- RCW 27.53.030 (Definitions)
- City of Spokane Parks — Metal Detecting Policy
- Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf — Metal Detector Permit
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
- Do you need to register to metal detect in a Washington state park?
- Yes. State Parks requires you to register first (there’s an online registration form, and the brochure includes one) and comply with posted regulations.
- Can you keep an old coin or artifact you find in Washington?
- You may keep small contemporary items like modern coins, but any item that is or appears to be of historical or archaeological significance may not be removed and must be reported to park staff immediately (WAC 352-32-235). Removing archaeological resources also violates RCW 27.53.
- Is beach detecting allowed on the Washington coast?
- Yes. State Parks allows detecting between the ocean water’s edge and the mean high tide line, and lists the Seashore Conservation Area among its parks with metal detecting, under the same registration requirement and WAC 352-32-235 rules. Sand scoops are permitted on sand surfaces within the size limits.
Find more, remember where
Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.
