Are you looking for a place to begin your metal detecting experience in Florida? You’ve arrived at the correct location.
Metal detecting is a pastime in which you go on an expedition and use a metal detector to try to locate anything from jewelry and coins to historic artifacts. This pastime has been around for quite some time. It sprang onto the scene, however, when individuals discovered that metal detecting may actually make you a lot of money. Metal detectorists often search for and uncover rare metals such as gold and silver, which they then sell for a profit. A high-class metal detector costs roughly $1000, and if you know where to search, you may get your money back in as few as three metal detecting visits.
There are few places in the United States that are as good for metal detecting as Florida. The weather is ideal for metal detecting, and the terrain is a gold and silver miner’s dream. Florida has it all, whether you want to go metal detecting on beaches, rivers, streams, creeks, ghost towns, or state parks. However, you should do your research and become familiar with the local and federal metal detecting regulations in Florida.
Metal detecting laws in Florida
Despite the fact that metal detecting is considered a recreational pastime, we can’t deny that you could find anything of historical significance to the government. As a result, metal detecting legislation and regulations differ from state to state.
Metal detecting standards and restrictions have been established in Florida. Furthermore, the Archeological Resources Preservation Act(ARPA) governs metal detecting on government property.
Always keep in mind that laws enacted by the state or federal governments do not apply to private property. They just govern the practice of metal detecting on a state or federal property. All you need is a formal authorization from the landowner or the renter to metal detect on private property.
Metal detecting rules in the state of Florida are rather straightforward. Make sure you’re not metal detecting in any of Florida’s historically significant regions. As a result, metal detecting or excavating for relics on any historical site in Florida is illegal. As a result, while digging native mounds, burial sites, or earthworks, use extreme caution.
Metal detectors are also prohibited on Trust’s property without a permit, according to the state of Florida. Furthermore, all historic and prehistoric sites in the Forest Preserves are owned by the State of Florida, and they may not be demolished without authorization. Metal detecting is banned in these areas unless you have a proper permit.
Overall, if you’re metal detecting in Florida on a state or federal territory, don’t dig up anything that looks like an artifact or is more than 100 years old. Notify officials if you find and gather a historical artifact so they can properly care for it. Metal detecting is likewise prohibited in Florida National Parks unless previous authorization has been granted. Metal detecting, on the other hand, is authorized as a leisure activity in Florida’s public parks. It’s possible that you’ll be granted permission to metal detect at designated historical places, but this is quite unlikely.
Overall, it’s vital to understand and follow the rules while metal detecting in Florida. Breaking these rules will result in severe penalties, including fines or, in the worst-case scenario, jail time. Check with your local, county, and state officials to make sure you’re meeting all of the standards if you’re searching for a new metal detecting site in Florida.
Related: Dumpster Diving in Florida: A Comprehensive Guide
Is it legal to metal detect in Florida?
In Florida, metal detecting is completely legal. Legality, on the other hand, has its restrictions. Metal detecting without legal permission is prohibited on historic sites, state parks, and federal areas in Florida, as previously mentioned. As a result, metal detecting on public lands in Florida can require a permit. Permits are available over the phone and on the internet. To receive one, please contact your local park and recreation office. It is reasonably priced, with a single unit costing around $10.
You’ll be alright if you apply common judgment and just look for jewelry, coins, and gold nuggets on Florida’s public lands. Before metal detecting in a historically significant area, check with the local county office.
Can you metal detect on BLM Land in Florida?
Metal detecting on BLM land is subject to the same rules as it is on all other Florida public properties. Metal detecting is allowed on BLM properties in Florida, but you must be careful not to harm or expose any artifacts. Remember that the government has the ability, according to ARPA, to seize any “archaeological valuables” discovered on BLM territory. Archaeological resources are tangible artifacts from human life or activities that are at least 100 years old and have archaeological value.
Where can you metal detect in Florida?
Despite the fact that many conventional metal-detecting settings are prohibited in Florida, the state still has a few great metal-detecting locations.
If you reside in Florida, your hometown is one of the first areas you should go metal detecting. Knowing the history of a location not only saves time but also aids in the discovery of great jewels. What you find and how valuable it depends on where you metal detect and the history of the area. Metal detecting based on historical study will, on average, produce better results than detecting in random locations.
Some of the best places you can go for metal detecting in Florida are:
- Abandoned Buildings and Structures
- Abandoned Parks and Mines
- Old wagon train routes and Ghost Towns
- Native American Trails
- Natural Disaster Destruction Sites
- Florida Beaches, Rivers, Lakes, and Creeks
- School yards and old churches
- Civil war sites
Is there any buried treasure in Florida?
Florida is a great state with beautiful scenery and interesting history. Florida is said to be home to several Civil War-era hidden riches. Confederate gold and silver coins are said to be buried beneath Florida’s soil to avoid the Union Army from recovering them. Some lurk in the shadows, waiting to be discovered! Despite the fact that many of these claims have yet to be confirmed, treasure hunters and metal detectorists are hopeful that they will be found soon.
| Treasures | Details |
| Bokeelia Key Buried Pirate’s Treasure | Bocilla, an infamous pirate, is said to have hidden a treasure on Bokeelia Key in Charlotte Harbor, north of Pine Island. |
| Treasure Island Chronicles | Treasure Island got its name from the fact that numerous pirates are said to have visited the island and buried valuables there. |
| Pinellas Point Spanish Gold and Silver | Several chests of Spanish silver and gold coins were discovered in the 1930s near Pinellas Point in St. Petersburg. It’s been speculated that there are more riches hidden there. |
| The Ashley Gang Buried Treasure | The Ashley Gang was a notorious criminal gang that operated in the early 1900s. Their headquarters were near Canal Point on Lake Okeechobee’s southern point. According to legend, the gang buried my valuables at this location. One of the valuables may be $110,000 worth of gold coins snatched from a bank. |
Metal detecting on Florida Beaches
Florida has a whopping 1350 miles of beautiful coastline. Because the beaches in Florida become so crowded, it’s the ideal place to look for misplaced jewelry and even money. As a consequence, you’ll see a lot of other metal detectorists on the Florida beaches late at night for their metal detecting experience.
Metal detecting on FL beaches is lawful as of the publishing of this article. However, if you come across anything older than 100 years, the state of Florida has the power to seize it.
Some of the most famous beaches to go for metal detecting in Florida are:
- Palm Beach, Palm Beach County
- Santa Rosa Beach, Walton
- St. Augustine Beach, St. Augustine
- Fernandina Beach
- New Smyrna Beach
Metal detecting in Florida Rivers and Creeks
Not only does Florida have a lot of coastlines, but it also has a lot of rivers and streams. Because there are so many rivers, creeks, and streams, it’s an excellent spot to go metal detecting. When detecting in rivers and streams of FL, make sure you have enough waterproof metal detectors. The following are some of Florida’s greatest rivers and streams for metal detecting:
- Alafia River, Hillsborough
- Alapaha River, Hamilton
- Arbuckle Creek, Highlands
- Big Coldwater Creek, Santa Rosa
- Black Creek, Clay
- Econfina River, Taylor
Metal detecting in Ghost Towns of Florida
Hundreds of abandoned villages and ghost towns dot the Florida countryside. These are the towns where mining used to take place, but as the ore ran out, people departed. People flocked to other cities and towns for a variety of reasons.
In Florida’s ghost towns, all of the villages and towns have been abandoned. These communities in Florida have a long and famous history. Metal detecting in Florida’s ghost towns may require municipal permission as well. Florida’s ghost towns will rapidly become one of your favorite metal detecting locations after discovering if you need a permit and acquiring one.
These ghost towns may be home to historical items and other relics. In these Florida ghost towns, coins, fine jewelry, and other treasures abound.
Some of the popular ghost towns in Florida for metal detecting are:
Metal detecting clubs in Florida
Metal detecting in Florida is one of my favorite pastimes since it allows me to reconnect with old friends while also creating new ones. I definitely recommend joining a metal detecting group in Florida if you want to meet new people and go on a metal detecting trip with them.
Metal detecting has been increasingly popular in recent years, with clubs cropping up all across the United States. Members of the club are involved and supportive of one another. Once a month, these groups meet together to show off their discoveries, plan their next expedition, and discuss how to assess the variety and value of their finds.
Metal detecting clubs might be an excellent method to learn about new treasure-hunting locations. Setting up your metal detector for a specific place might be tough if you’re a beginner. As a result, being a member of a metal detecting group is an excellent approach to addressing this issue.
In Florida, there are a number of fantastic metal detecting groups. Metal detecting groups in Florida can assist you to improve your abilities whether you’re a novice or a seasoned hunter.
Most of the Metal detecting clubs in Florida may not have an online presence. As a consequence, you may join Facebook groups to network with other Florida metal detectorists and share your knowledge.
Some of the best Metal detecting clubs in FL are:
- South Florida Treasure Hunter’s Club, Dania
- Historical Recovery Association Of North Florida, Fernandina Beach
- Ocala Metal Detecting Club, Ocala
- Dig & Find Coinshooters & Historical Club, Ormand Beach
- Panhandle Research & Recovery, Panama City
Similarly, some of the most popular Metal Detecting Facebook groups in FL are:
- South FL Metal Detecting Group
- Central FL Metal Detecting
- Northwest FL Metal Detecting Group
- Metal Detecting FL
- Metal Detecting Finds
Final Thoughts
Overall, Florida is a fantastic location for your metal detecting requirements. Nature, history, weather, and liberal legislation all help to make this pastime enjoyable in Florida. Before attempting it in public, make sure you’re aware of Florida’s metal detecting laws. If you’re going to private property, be sure you first acquire permission from the proprietor; otherwise, you might be charged with trespassing.
