Land rules
Metal detecting in Kentucky
Kentucky bans the use of metal detectors in its state parks. Except for park personnel, law enforcement and utilities, using a metal detector is prohibited in all Kentucky state parks. On federal land in the state, federal rules apply as well.
01
What the texts say
One line per rule: the land it covers, what it says, and the text it comes from, with the date we read it.
| Land | Rule | Text |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky state parks Prohibited | Except for park personnel, law enforcement and utilities, using a metal detector is prohibited in all Kentucky state parks. | 304 KAR 1:050, Sections 1 and 2 (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on apps.legislature.ky.gov |
| Kentucky state parks Listed exceptions | Only park personnel, law enforcement and utilities may use metal detectors there. | 304 KAR 1:050, Section 2 (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on apps.legislature.ky.gov |
| Kentucky state parks Stated purpose | The stated purpose is to preclude unnecessary damage to natural areas and other facilities. It also aims to run efficient, orderly parks for the great number of visitors. | 304 KAR 1:050, necessity statement (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on apps.legislature.ky.gov |
| Kentucky state parks Status of the text | The text was last certified effective Feb. 12, 2020, and lists a 7-year expiration date of Feb. 12, 2027. | 304 KAR 1:050, history and expiration note (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on apps.legislature.ky.gov |
02
What the state park rule says
This regulation is short. Section 1 bans the use of metal detectors in all Kentucky state parks. Section 2 names the only exceptions: park personnel, law enforcement and utilities.
The text gives its reason. The stated purpose is to preclude unnecessary damage to natural areas and other facilities. It also aims to run efficient, orderly parks for the great number of visitors. It names no permit for hobby detecting and no process to apply for one.
A review date is set. It was last certified effective Feb. 12, 2020, and lists a 7-year expiration date of Feb. 12, 2027. Check the current version on the Kentucky General Assembly site after that date.
03
Federal land in the state
On federal land, federal rules apply, whatever the state. National Park Service areas prohibit possessing or using a metal detector, with a few exceptions. In national forests, digging in or removing historic or archaeological resources is prohibited.
Corps of Engineers project land outside a state park has its own rule, 36 CFR 327.14(d). It permits detectors on designated beaches or other previously disturbed areas, unless the District Commander prohibits them. Found items fall under 36 CFR 327.15 and 327.16, except coins worth less than $25 and other non-identifiable items. A state park on a Corps lake is still covered by 304 KAR 1:050.
| Land | Rule | Text |
|---|---|---|
| National Park Service areas (national parks, seashores, and monuments the NPS manages) Prohibited | Except as the chapter provides otherwise, possessing or using a metal detector is prohibited. Exceptions include a device broken down and stored or packed to prevent its use, and one used for authorized scientific, mining or administrative work. | 36 CFR 2.1(a)(7) (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on ecfr.gov |
| National Forest System lands Digging or removal prohibited | Digging in, disturbing or removing any prehistoric, historic or archaeological resource is prohibited. | 36 CFR 261.9(g) and (h) (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on ecfr.gov |
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and projects Allowed with limits | Metal detectors are permitted on designated beaches or other previously disturbed areas unless the District Commander prohibits them to protect archaeological, historical or paleontological resources. The Manager's Office has the metal detector policy and designated use areas. | 36 CFR 327.14(d) (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on ecfr.gov |
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes and projects Finds turned in | Found items must be handled under 36 CFR 327.15 and 327.16, except non-identifiable items such as coins worth less than $25. | 36 CFR 327.14(d) (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on ecfr.gov |
| Federal public lands and Indian lands Digging or removal prohibited | Excavating, removing, damaging or defacing an archaeological resource, or trying to, is prohibited without a permit or a listed exemption. A knowing violation is a federal crime. | 16 U.S.C. 470ee(a) and (d) (opens in a new tab)Read Oct. 16, 2026 on law.cornell.edu |
04
What stays with the land manager
We read one Kentucky text, 304 KAR 1:050. Other state laws may apply to land outside the state parks and to old objects on public land; this page does not summarize them. City and county parks, school grounds and private land have their own owners and rules. Ask the owner or the local park staff, in writing if you can.
On federal and Indian lands, a separate law covers old objects: the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. ARPA prohibits excavating or removing an archaeological resource without a permit or a listed exemption.
05
Questions
Answered from the texts on this page, read Oct. 16, 2026.
304 KAR 1:050 says using a metal detector is prohibited in all Kentucky state parks, except for park personnel, law enforcement and utilities.
The regulation says so. Its stated purpose is to preclude unnecessary damage to natural areas and other facilities. It also aims to run orderly parks for the many visitors.
Outside a state park, Corps project land follows 36 CFR 327.14(d). It permits detectors on designated beaches or other previously disturbed areas, unless the District Commander prohibits them. Ask the lake's Manager's Office.
06