Virginia state parks
Managed by Virginia State Parks (DCR). These are statewide rules; individual parks may post stricter ones. Federal land inside Virginia follows federal rules, and drones also follow FAA rules.
Metal detecting Permit / permission needed
Metal detecting is allowed only on designated man-made beaches, with a special use permit ($25, up to 30 days to process).
- Permit
- Special use permit.
- Sources
- dcr.virginia.gov · dcr.virginia.gov
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Drones Not allowed
Recreational drone flights are prohibited. Commercial or research flights need a permit.
- Permit
- Not for hobby use.
- Sources
- law.lis.virginia.gov · dcr.virginia.gov
- Notes
- 4VAC5-30-400.
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Machine-readable: /api/states/va.json