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US Army Corps of Engineers
Metal detecting Designated areas only
Metal detecting is allowed on designated beaches and other previously disturbed areas at Corps lakes, unless the District Commander prohibits it to protect archaeological, historical or paleontological resources. Ask the project manager's office for the designated areas. Found items must be turned in, except non-identifiable items such as coins worth under $25.
- Permit
- No permit; check the designated areas with the project Manager's Office.
- Sources
- ecfr.gov
- Notes
- 36 CFR 327.14(d); lost-and-found rules in 327.15-327.16.
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Drones Unclear
36 CFR 327.4 bans operating any aircraft on Corps project lands except at locations the District Commander designates. Its definition covers 'any other such equipment', and districts generally treat drones as covered. Whether hobby drones are allowed depends on the district or project.
- Permit
- Contact the project or district office for designated locations or written permission.
- Sources
- ecfr.gov
- Notes
- Marked unclear because the regulation does not name drones; enforcement varies by district.
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Drones also follow FAA rules.
Machine-readable: /api/federal/usace.json