Are you looking for a site in New York to begin your metal detecting adventure? You’ve come to the right place.
Metal detecting is a hobby in which you go on an expedition and use a metal detector to seek everything from jewelry and coins to historical treasures. This behavior has been around for a while. It arose when people discovered that metal detecting might make them a lot of money. Metal detectorists are always on the hunt for and discover rare metals like gold and silver, which they then sell for a profit. A high-end metal detector costs around $1000, and if you know where to look, you may be able to recoup your investment in as few as three metal detecting sessions.
Metal detecting is at its finest in New York, one of the few states that allow it. The weather is ideal for metal detecting, and the surroundings are ideal for gold and silver prospecting. If you want to go metal detecting on beaches, rivers, streams, creeks, ghost towns, or state parks, New York offers it all. However, you should do your research and become acquainted with The Empire State’s local and federal metal detecting regulations.
Metal detecting laws in New York
Despite the fact that metal detecting is considered a leisure activity, the possibility of uncovering something of historical relevance to the government cannot be ruled out. As a result, metal detecting rules and regulations vary per state.
Metal detecting criteria and restrictions have been developed in New York. Metal detecting on government land is likewise governed by the Archeological Resources Preservation Act.
Remember that private property is immune from state and federal laws. They are only applicable to metal detecting on public or private property. To metal detect on private property, you just need a written permission from the owner or tenant.
The rules for metal detecting in New York are straightforward. Make certain that you are not metal detecting in any historically significant areas of New York. As a result, using metal detectors or digging for items on any New York historical monument is prohibited. As a result, use extra caution while excavating native mounds, burial sites, or earthworks.
Metal detectors are likewise prohibited on Trust’s land without permission, according to New York law. Furthermore, because all historic and prehistoric sites in the Forest Preserves are held by the State of New York, they may not be demolished without permission. Metal detecting is illegal in many places unless you have a proper permit.
Don’t dig up anything that appears like an artifact or is more than 100 years old if you’re metal detecting in New York on state or federal territory. Notify authorities if you locate and collect a historical relic so that it can be properly cared for. Metal detecting is also forbidden in New York National Parks unless prior permission is obtained. Metal detecting, on the other hand, is authorized as a recreational activity in New York’s public parks. Metal detecting may be permitted in historically significant areas, although this is unusual.
Overall, while metal detecting in New York, it is critical to understand and observe the restrictions. Violations of these restrictions will result in harsh penalties such as fines or, in the worst-case scenario, prison time. If you wish to start a new metal detecting site in New York, contact local, county, and state officials to ensure you satisfy all of the requirements.
Related: Dumpster Diving in New York: A Comprehensive Guide
Is it legal to metal detect in New York?
Metal detecting is completely legal in New York. Legality, on the other hand, has bounds. Metal detecting without a permit is forbidden in New York’s historic sites, state parks, and federal regions, as previously stated. As a result, metal detecting on New York’s public lands may require a permit. Permits can be obtained over the phone or online. Please contact your local park and recreation office to obtain one. It is inexpensive, with a single unit costing roughly $10.
You’ll be OK if you use common sense and look for jewelry, coins, and gold nuggets in public places around New York. Check with the local county office before metal detecting in a historically significant region.
Can you metal detect on BLM Land in New York?
Metal detecting is legal on BLM land, as it is on all other New York public properties, however, there are some limitations. Metal detecting is permitted on BLM land in New York, but you must use extreme caution so that no artifacts are destroyed or exposed. Remember that the government has the authority to seize any “archaeological treasures” uncovered on BLM land, according to ARPA. Archaeological resources are tangible artifacts from human life or activities that are at least 100 years old and of archaeological importance.
Where can you metal detect in New York?
Despite the fact that many traditional metal-detecting locations in New York have been prohibited, there remain a few outstanding metal-detecting spots.
If you live in New York, one of the first places you should go metal detecting is your hometown. Knowing a location’s history not only saves time but also assists in the discovery of unusual objects. What you find and how valuable it is is determined by where you metal detect and the region’s history. Metal detecting in historical areas will yield better results than detecting in random locations.
Some of the best places you can go for metal detecting in New York are:
- Abandoned Buildings and Structures
- Abandoned Parks and Mines
- Old wagon train routes and Ghost Towns
- Native American Trails
- Natural Disaster Destruction Sites
- New York Beaches, Rivers, Lakes, and Creeks
- School yards and Old Churches
- Civil war sites
Is there any buried treasure in New York?
New York is a beautiful state with a fascinating history. New York is reported to hold a number of Civil War-era buried treasures. To evade capture by the Union Army, Confederate gold and silver coins are reported to have been buried in New York soil. Some wait in the shadows to be discovered! Despite the fact that many of these claims have yet to be confirmed, treasure hunters and metal detectorists are optimistic that they will be discovered soon.
| Treasures | Details |
| Silver Creek Ship Wreck | Silver Creek is located on Lake Erie about eight miles northeast of Dunkirk. Along the shore, silver coins have been discovered. Most likely from the 1852 catastrophe of the steamship Atlantic. It was holding almost $60,000 in coins. |
| Grand Island 18th Century Treasures | Grand Island is located on the Niagra River between Buffalo and Niagra Falls. Clairvaux, a wealthy French merchant, buried kegs of 18th-century coins near his home and business. |
| The Sulphur Springs Treasure | The Sulphur Springs Riches is a tale about a wandering medicine man in the early 1900s who allegedly buried two chests of treasure among the remains of the Sulphur Springs Health Resort, which is located on county route 26 between North Pitcher and Pitcher. |
| Gardiner‘s Island Relics | Gardiner’s Island, located on Long Island’s eastern shore, served as a British stopover during the Revolutionary War. Several relics may be found in many of these places. |
Metal detecting on New York Beaches
New York’s coastline is approximately 520 miles long. Because New York’s beaches are so popular, they are ideal for searching for lost jewelry and money. As a result, you’ll notice a lot more metal detectorists searching for treasure on New York beaches late at night.
As of the publication of this article, metal detecting is legal on New York beaches. New York, on the other hand, has the capability of removing anything older than 100 years.
Some of the most famous beaches to go for metal detecting in New York are:
- Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn
- Orchard Beach, Bronx
- Jacob Riis Beach, Queens
- Rockaway Beach, Far Rockaway
- Brighton Beach, Brooklyn
Metal detecting in New York Rivers and Creeks
New York has beautiful coastlines as well as several rivers and streams. It’s a wonderful place for metal detecting since there are so many rivers, creeks, and streams. Make sure you have adequate waterproof metal detectors while detecting in rivers and streams. The following New York rivers and streams are ideal for metal detecting:
- Abijah Creek, Jefferson
- Allegheny River, Cattaraugus
- Ausable River, Clinton & Essex
- Batavia Kill, Greene
- Black River, Jefferson
Metal detecting in Ghost Towns of New York
The New York landscape is littered with hundreds of abandoned villages and ghost towns. These are the towns where mining used to take place, but people left when the ore ran out. People relocated to various cities and towns for a number of reasons.
New York’s ghost towns are all defunct villages and towns. These New York towns have a lengthy and illustrious history. Metal detecting in New York’s ghost towns may also necessitate municipal approval. After determining if you need a permit and obtaining one, New York’s ghost towns will quickly become one of your favorite metal detecting places.
These ghost towns may include historical artifacts. Coins, exquisite jewelry, and other treasures abound in these New York ghost communities.
Some of the popular ghost towns in New York for metal detecting are:
- Brownville, Ulster
- Cold Springs, Cattaraugus
- Sharon Springs, Schoharie
- Shavertown, Delaware
- Old Hurley, New Jersey
Metal detecting clubs in New York
One of my favorite activities in New York is metal detecting since it allows me to reconnect with old acquaintances while also making new ones. If you want to meet new people and go on metal detecting excursions, I highly recommend joining a metal detecting club in New York.
Metal detecting has grown in popularity in recent years, with clubs springing up all across the country. The club’s members are involved and supportive of one another. These groups get together once a month to show off their treasures, plan their next trip, and talk about how to evaluate the diversity and worth of their finds.
Metal detecting groups might be a great way to learn about new treasure-seeking places. Setting up your metal detector for a specific location might be difficult if you’re a newbie. As a result, joining a metal detecting club is a great way to deal with this issue.
There are various wonderful metal detecting organizations in New York. Metal detecting clubs in New York can help you improve your skills whether you are a beginner or a seasoned hunter.
Metal detecting clubs in New York are not required to keep a webpage up to date. As a result, you might think about joining Facebook groups to network with other New York metal detectorists and exchange information.
Some of the best Metal detecting clubs in New York are:
- Long Island Treasure Hunters Club, Bohemia
- E.A.R.T.H. – Electronic Archeological Recovery Th’Ers, Durhamville
- Southern Tier Metal Detectors Club, Endicott
- Empire State Metal Detector Association, Latham
Similarly, some of the most popular Metal Detecting Facebook groups in New York are:
Final Thoughts
Overall, New York is an excellent place for your metal detecting needs. Nature, history, weather, and New York’s lax regulations all add to the enjoyment of this hobby. Make sure you are familiar with New York’s metal detecting regulations before attempting to metal detect in public. If you want to visit a private property, make sure you get permission from the owner first; else, you might face trespassing charges.
