Wyoming pairs a permission-based state-park rule with a prehistoric-ruins statute that requires a permit to excavate archaeological deposits on state or federal land. Here’s how the pieces fit.
Can I detect in Wyoming?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- State parksPermit requiredChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- State & public landNo verdict yetSource check pending
- Public land & lakesPermit requiredwritten permission of the superintendentChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- City / county parksNo verdict yetSource check pending
- BLM landAllowedChecked against the source Oct 8, 2026
- 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 requiredDetecting at a state park or recreation area is prohibited without the superintendent’s written permission, and it’s flatly prohibited at any state historic or archaeological site (except official use).
- written permission of the superintendent of the state park or recreation area
- prohibited at state historic or archeological sites except official use
What the rule says
“The use of any mineral or metal detecting device at a state historic or archeological site is prohibited, except for official use. The use of any mineral or metal detecting device at a state park or recreation area is prohibited without written permission of the superintendent.”
Digging
Permit requiredDisturbing soil on Wyoming park land, as digging a target does, is prohibited without the superintendent's prior permission.
- prior permission of the superintendent
- §14(a) adds: "EXCEPTION: Lawful activities authorized under this chapter are permitted."
What the rule says
“Without prior permission of the superintendent, the disturbance, damage, or removal of any building, sign, equipment, monument, or other structure, or of any animal or plant matter, nest, nesting site, soil, rock, mineral, fossil, historic or prehistoric artifact or feature is prohibited.”
Keeping finds
Permit requiredRemoving any artifact, rock, mineral, fossil or other feature from Wyoming park land is prohibited without the superintendent's prior permission.
- prior permission of the superintendent
- covers historic or prehistoric artifacts, soil, rock, minerals, fossils, plants and park structures
- §14(a) adds: "EXCEPTION: Lawful activities authorized under this chapter are permitted."
What the rule says
“Without prior permission of the superintendent, the disturbance, damage, or removal of any building, sign, equipment, monument, or other structure, or of any animal or plant matter, nest, nesting site, soil, rock, mineral, fossil, historic or prehistoric artifact or feature is prohibited.”
State & public land
No verdict yetNo source read sets a detector rule for Wyoming state land outside state parks. W.S. §36-1-114 requires a State Board of Land Commissioners permit before excavating prehistoric ruins or archaeological or paleontological deposits on state or federal land (see the dig rule).
Digging
Permit requiredExcavating prehistoric ruins, pictographs or archaeological or paleontological deposits on Wyoming state or federal land needs a permit from the State Board of Land Commissioners first; removing such artifacts worth more than $500 for gain is a felony.
- prehistoric ruins, pictographs, hieroglyphics, ancient markings or writing, and archaeological and paleontological deposits on state or federal land
- removing any part of such ruins or deposits from Wyoming needs the board's consent (§36-1-115)
- violation: misdemeanor, $25 to $100 and/or up to six months, and forfeiture of what was found (§36-1-116(a))
- removing artifacts worth more than $500 in violation, for gain or any other purpose: felony, up to $10,000 and/or 10 years (§36-1-116(d))
What the rule says
“Before any excavation on any prehistoric ruins, pictographs, hieroglyphics, or any other ancient markings, or writing or archaeological and paleontological deposits in the state of Wyoming on any state or federal lands, shall be undertaken, a permit shall first be obtained from the state board of land commissioners.”
Public land & lakes
Permit requiredReservoir shores inside Wyoming state parks and recreation areas fall under the park rule: no metal detector without the superintendent's written permission.
- written permission of the superintendent
- never at state historic or archeological sites
- inside state parks and recreation areas only; other reservoirs follow the managing agency
What the rule says
“The use of any mineral or metal detecting device at a state park or recreation area is prohibited without written permission of the superintendent.”
City / county parks
No verdict yetNo detector rule was confirmed for city or county parks in Wyoming; ask the local park manager.
BLM land
AllowedBLM rules allow detectors to aid reasonable, noncommercial collection of permitted rocks and mineral specimens, outside developed recreation sites and areas and except where prohibited.
- This allowance is tied to the collection allowed by 43 CFR 8365.1-5(b); it is not general permission to search for or remove archaeological resources.
- Reasonable amounts for noncommercial purposes only; the exception does not apply at developed recreation sites and areas or where collection is prohibited.
What the rule says
“Use on the public lands explosive, motorized or mechanical devices, except metal detectors, to aid in the collection of specimens permitted under paragraph (b) or (c) of this paragraph.”
Federal land
Digging
Permit requiredExcavating or removing archaeological resources on the public and Indian lands defined by ARPA requires authorization.
- This archaeological-resource rule does not establish general detector permission.
- Section 470ee(a) recognizes a permit under 470cc, a permit referred to in 470cc(h)(2), or the exemption in 470cc(g)(1).
What the rule says
“No person may excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface, or attempt to excavate, remove, damage, or otherwise alter or deface any archaeological resource located on public lands or Indian lands unless such activity is pursuant to a permit”
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 Wyoming state parks
Under Wyoming's state-park rules (ch. 1 §14(c), in force since August 5, 2026), metal detecting at a state historic or archaeological site is prohibited (except official use), and at a state park or recreation area it is prohibited without the written permission of the superintendent. So the first step is to contact that park’s superintendent.
Wyoming’s antiquities law
Wyoming’s prehistoric-ruins statute (W.S. §§36-1-114 to 116) requires a permit from the State Board of Land Commissioners before excavating prehistoric ruins, pictographs, or archaeological or paleontological deposits on state or federal land. A violation is a misdemeanor with forfeiture of what you found, and removing artifacts worth more than $500 in violation is a felony (up to a $10,000 fine and 10 years).
Public land, lakes & federal
State-park reservoir shores fall under the superintendent-permission rule. BLM rules allow detectors to aid reasonable, noncommercial collection of permitted rocks and mineral specimens, outside developed recreation sites and areas and except where prohibited. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act restricts unauthorized excavation or removal of archaeological resources on public lands or Indian lands, subject to its statutory permit routes and exemption. Excavating prehistoric or archaeological deposits on state or federal land also needs a §36-1-114 permit, and National Park Service units ban detectors. See our national guide.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 8, 2026):
- 024-1 Wyo. Code R. §1-15 (state parks)
- W.S. §36-1-114 (Prehistoric Ruins Act) (the agency site blocks automated checks; read it directly)
- 43 CFR §8365.1-5, Property and resources (BLM public lands) (eCFR)
- 16 U.S.C. §470ee, ARPA prohibited acts (and §470bb definitions)
- 36 CFR §2.1, Preservation of natural, cultural and archeological resources (eCFR)
- State Parks & Historic Sites, Chapter 1: Rules and Regulations (Wyoming Administrative Rules, ref. 024.0002.1.08052026)
- Wyoming Statutes Title 36 (Public Lands), incl. W.S. §§36-1-114 to 36-1-116 (prehistoric ruins)
- 16 U.S.C. §470bb, ARPA definitions
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 Wyoming state park?
- Only with written permission from that park’s superintendent; without it, using a detector in a state park or recreation area is prohibited (Wyo. Admin. Rules ch. 1 §14(c)).
- Are historic or archaeological sites treated differently in Wyoming?
- Yes — detecting at a state historic or archaeological site is flatly prohibited except for official use, with no public-permission exception.
- Can you detect on Wyoming public or BLM land?
- BLM rules allow detectors to aid reasonable, noncommercial collection of permitted rocks and mineral specimens, outside developed recreation sites and areas and except where prohibited. the Archaeological Resources Protection Act bars digging up or removing archaeological resources without a permit, excavating prehistoric or archaeological deposits on state or federal land needs a permit under W.S. §36-1-114. National park units ban detectors.
Find more, remember where
Download LuckyFind — free for iPhone and Android — to track your routes, log your finds, and keep your permitted spots organized.
