Metal Detecting in New Jersey: A Complete Guide for 2022

Are you looking for a place to start your metal detecting experience in New Jersey? You’ve come to the right place.

Metal detecting is a pastime in which you go on an expedition and search for everything from jewelry and coins to historical relics using a metal detector. This activity has been around for quite some time. It sprung onto the scene when individuals found that metal detecting might make them a lot of money. Metal detectorists are constantly looking for and finding rare metals such as gold and silver, which they subsequently sell for a profit. A high-end metal detector costs approximately $1000, and if you know where to search, you may be able to return your investment in as little as three metal detecting trips.

Metal detecting is at its best in New Jersey, which is one of the few states where it is available. The weather is wonderful for metal detecting, and the scenery is perfect for gold and silver prospecting. New Jersey has it all if you want to go metal detecting on beaches, rivers, streams, creeks, ghost towns, or state parks. You should, however, do your homework and get acquainted with The Garden State’s local and federal metal detecting laws.

Metal detecting laws in New Jersey

Despite the fact that metal detecting is considered a recreational pastime, we cannot rule out the potential of discovering something of historical significance to the government. As a result, metal detecting legislation and regulations differ from state to state.

In New Jersey, metal detecting standards and limits have been established. The Archeological Resources Preservation Act also governs metal detecting on government property.

Keep in mind that private property is exempt from state and federal legislation. They only apply to metal detecting on the public or private territory. You just need written authorization from the proprietor or tenant to metal detect on private property.

The rules for metal detecting in New Jersey are rather simple. Make certain that you are not metal detecting in any historically significant areas of New Jersey. As a result, employing metal detectors or excavating for artifacts on any New Jersey historical monument is illegal. As a result, exercise extreme caution when digging native mounds, burial sites, or earthworks.

Metal detectors are also banned on Trust’s property without permission, according to New Jersey law. Furthermore, because all historic and prehistoric sites in the Forest Preserves are held by the State of New Jersey, they may not be demolished without permission. Unless you have valid authorization, metal detecting is prohibited in numerous regions.

If you’re metal detecting in New Jersey on a state or federal land, don’t dig up anything that looks like an artifact or is more than 100 years old. If you find and gather a historical relic, notify authorities so that it can be appropriately cared for. Metal detecting is likewise prohibited in New Jersey National Parks unless previous authorization is acquired. Metal detecting, on the other hand, is permitted in New Jersey’s public parks as a leisure pastime. Metal detecting may be allowed in historically significant places, however, this is uncommon.

Overall, it is vital to understand and follow the rules while metal detecting in New Jersey. Infringing on these prohibitions will result in severe penalties such as fines or, in the worst-case scenario, prison time. If you want to open a new metal detecting site in New Jersey, make sure you meet all of the standards by contacting local, county, and state officials.

Related: Dumpster Diving in New Jersey: A Comprehensive Guide

Is it legal to metal detect in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, metal detecting is entirely legal. Legality, on the other hand, has limitations. As previously indicated, metal detecting without a permit is prohibited in New Jersey’s historic sites, state parks, and federal areas. As a result, metal detecting on public lands in New Jersey may require a permit. Permits are available over the phone or online. To receive one, please contact your local park and recreation office. It is reasonably priced, with a single unit costing around $10.

If you exercise common sense and look for jewelry, coins, and gold nuggets in public locations around New Jersey, you’ll be OK. Before metal detecting in a historically significant area, check with the local county office.

Can you metal detect on BLM Land in New Jersey?

Metal detecting on BLM land in New Jersey has restrictions in the same way as it is on all other New Jersey public lands. Metal detecting is permitted on BLM land in New Jersey, but you must use extreme caution not to destroy or expose any artifacts. Remember that, according to ARPA, the government has the ability to seize any “archaeological treasures” discovered on BLM territory. Archaeological resources are tangible artifacts from human life or activities that are at least 100 years old and have archaeological significance.

Where can you metal detect in New Jersey?

Despite the fact that many classic metal-detecting places in New Jersey have been forbidden, there are a few excellent metal-detecting locations.

If you reside in New Jersey, your hometown should be one of the first locations you go metal detecting. Knowing the history of a location not only saves time but also aids in the discovery of uncommon things. What you find and how valuable it depends on where you metal detect and the history of the region. Metal detecting based on historical studies will produce better results than detecting in random locations.

Some of the best places you can go for metal detecting in New Jersey are:

  1. Abandoned Buildings and Structures
  2. Abandoned Parks and Mines
  3. Old wagon train routes
  4. Native American Trails and Ghost Towns
  5. Natural Disaster Destruction Sites
  6. New Jersey Beaches, Rivers, Lakes, and Creeks
  7. School yards and Old Churches
  8. Civil war sites

Is there any buried treasure in New Jersey?

New Jersey is a lovely state with an interesting history. New Jersey is said to have several Civil War-era hidden riches. Confederate gold and silver coins are said to have been buried beneath New Jersey soil to avoid capture by the Union Army. Some lurk in the shadows, waiting to be discovered! Despite the fact that many of these claims have yet to be validated, treasure hunters and metal detectorists are hopeful that they will be found soon.

TreasuresDetails
Apple Pie Hill Buried Gold CoinsApple Pie Hill – two chests of gold money buried by retreating British forces during the Revolutionary War may still exist. Apple Pie Hill is around three miles southwest of Chadsworth.
Pirate John Bacon Buried TreasureThe pirate John Bacon is said to have hidden a treasure near Island Beach. Island Beach is about 10 miles north of Ship Bottom, Ocean Company. The treasure is said to be buried near the Barnegat Lighthouse on the Island’s northern edge.
The Silver Coins from the Beaches of Ocean GroveSince the early twentieth century, the beaches of Ocean Grove, south of Asbury Park, have been generating silver coins.
The James Gillam Buried TreasureThe James Gillam treasure is a treasure hidden by this farmer at Finns Point on the Alloway River near Quinton.

Metal detecting on New Jersey Beaches

New Jersey’s coastline stretches for around 130 miles. New Jersey’s beaches are great for hunting for missing jewels and money since they are so popular. As a result, you’ll see a lot more metal detectorists on New Jersey beaches late at night looking for treasure.

Metal detecting is lawful on New Jersey beaches as of the publishing of this article. New Jersey, on the other hand, is able to remove anything older than 100 years.

Some of the most famous beaches to go for metal detecting in New Jersey are:

  1. Brigantine Beach, Brigantine
  2. Sandy Hook Beach, Highlands
  3. Long Branch Beach, Long Branch
  4. Asbury Park Beach, Asbury Park
  5. Atlantic City Beach, Atlantic City

Metal detecting in New Jersey Rivers and Creeks

New Jersey features not just a long and beautiful coastline, but also numerous rivers and streams. Because there are so many rivers, creeks, and streams, it’s an excellent location for metal detection. When detecting in rivers and streams, make sure you have enough waterproof metal detectors. The following rivers and streams in New Jersey are excellent for metal detecting:

  1. Alquatka Branch, Burlington
  2. Back Creek, Cumberland
  3. Ballinger Creek, Ocean
  4. Bass River, Ocean
  5. Batsto River (Pine Barrens River System), Burlington

Metal detecting in Ghost Towns of New Jersey

Hundreds of abandoned villages and ghost towns dot the New Jersey countryside. These are the towns where mining formerly occurred, but people departed as the ore ran out. People moved to different cities and towns for a variety of reasons.

New Jersey’s ghost towns have all been abandoned villages and towns. These New Jersey communities have a long and distinguished history. Metal detecting in New Jersey’s ghost towns may also require municipal permission. New Jersey’s ghost towns will rapidly become one of your favorite metal detecting locations after verifying whether you need a permit and acquiring one.

Historical items may be found in these ghost towns. In these New Jersey ghost villages, coins, magnificent jewelry, and other riches abound.

Some of the popular ghost towns in New Jersey for metal detecting are:

  1. Allaire Village, Monmouth
  2. Asbury Park, Monmouth
  3. Harrisville, Burlington
  4. Watchung Village, Union
  5. Thompson’s Beach, Cumberland

Metal detecting clubs in New Jersey

Metal detecting is one of my favorite pastimes in New Jersey since it allows me to reconnect with old friends while also creating new ones. I definitely recommend joining a metal detecting group in New Jersey if you want to meet new people and participate in metal detecting adventures.

Metal detecting has been increasingly popular in recent years, with clubs cropping up all across the country. Members of the club are involved and supportive of one another. These groups meet once a month to show off their discoveries, plan their next trip, and discuss how to assess the diversity and value of their finds.

Metal detecting groups might be a great way to learn about new treasure-seeking places. If you’re a beginner, setting up your metal detector for a specific spot may be tricky. As a result, joining a metal detecting group is an excellent approach to cope with this problem.

In New Jersey, there are numerous fantastic metal detecting groups. Metal detecting clubs in New Jersey can help you improve your abilities whether you are a novice or an experienced hunter.

Metal detecting groups in New Jersey are not required to maintain a website. As a result, you might consider joining Facebook groups to network with other New Jersey metal detectorists and exchange your knowledge.

Some of the best Metal detecting clubs in NJ are:

  1. Deep Search Metal Detector Club, Edison
  2. South Jersey Metal Detecting Club, Haddon Heights
  3. North Jersey Metal Detectors, Highlands Lakes
  4. East Coast Research & Discovery Club, Pompton Plains

Similarly, some of the most popular Metal Detecting Facebook groups in NJ are:

  1. Metal Detecting NJ
  2. Metal Detecting finds and sales
  3. Advice for Beginner Metal Detectorists

Final Thoughts

Overall, New Jersey is a fantastic location for your metal detecting requirements. Nature, history, weather, and New Jersey’s lenient legislation all contribute to this activity’s delight. Before attempting metal detecting in public, make sure you are aware of New Jersey’s metal detecting rules. If you intend to visit private land, be sure you obtain permission from the owner first; otherwise, you may be charged with trespassing.

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