Province and territory field guide

Metal Detecting in New Brunswick: Laws, Map & Places

Use source-backed place records, park and heritage rules, digging/recovery conditions and map precision notes before planning a detecting trip in New Brunswick.

Quick answer

Metal detecting rules in New Brunswick depend on the exact land manager and what you intend to do after a signal. This guide contains 24 source-backed references: 0 conditional, 18 permission/permit required, 0 requiring a current rule check, and 6 protected/no-go references. Most recent record review: September 8, 2026.

Allowed with conditionsPermit/permissionCheck rulesProhibited

Map rule: a marker is a planning reference, not permission. Recheck the current land manager, local bylaw, heritage rules, posted closures and ownership immediately before detecting.

Is metal detecting legal in New Brunswick?

New Brunswick provincial-park policy says metal detectors are not allowed on provincial-park property without Park Manager approval. Regulation 85-104 separately prohibits excavation and removal of artifacts or natural objects unless written Minister permission applies, so detector approval alone must not be treated as permission to dig or remove finds.

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial Parks Policy Manual (metal detectors) · New Brunswick Regulation 85-104 — Parks Act · Rule review September 8, 2026

New Brunswick heritage and archaeological-resource rule

New Brunswick states that metal detector use is legal in some areas with landowner permission, but archaeological objects found in the ground — including coins and musket balls — cannot be recovered without the applicable archaeological authorization. Archaeological objects and fossils must be reported, and the Archaeology and Heritage Branch says it does not currently issue Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits.

Government of New Brunswick — Archaeology, digging and metal detecting · New Brunswick Laws — Heritage Conservation Act

New Brunswick detecting status summary

0allowed with stated conditions

18permission or permit required

0current rule must be confirmed

6protected / no-go references

Where to metal detect in New Brunswick

The following records have the strongest current classification in this guide because the source establishes conditional detector use or a permission route. They still require you to read the linked rule immediately before visiting.

Cape Enrage Provincial Park — Coastal Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Cape Enrage is a natural-environment provincial park on the Bay of Fundy coast. It is retained as a conservative rules-aware marker: Park Manager approval is required for detector use and excavation/removal requires separate written Minister permission.

Castalia Provincial Park — Natural Environment Park Reference

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Castalia is listed in the current provincial regulation as a natural-environment park. The record is included mainly to surface the permission regime: detector use needs Park Manager approval, while excavation/removal requires separate written Minister permission.

Fundy Trail Provincial Park — Long Beach / Beach Areas

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Fundy Trail Provincial Park contains Long Beach and several discovery beaches. Provincial policy requires Park Manager approval before detector use. Do not assume that approval permits excavation or removal; those actions have separate statutory restrictions and heritage controls.

Herring Cove Provincial Park — Herring Cove Beach

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Herring Cove Provincial Park includes a long Bay of Fundy beach. Detector use on provincial-park property requires Park Manager approval; excavation/removal are separately restricted, and archaeological-object recovery requires heritage authorization.

Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park — Ocean Floor and Shoreline Access

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Hopewell Rocks has managed shoreline and ocean-floor access around protected natural formations. It is included as a rules-aware planning reference only: detector use requires Park Manager approval and excavation/removal requires separate written Minister permission.

Lepreau Falls Provincial Park — Falls and Day-Use Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Lepreau Falls is a natural-environment provincial park/day-use reference. Any detector use requires Park Manager approval; excavation and artifact/natural-object removal require separate written Minister permission.

Examples of protected / no-go references

Boishébert and Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Sites · Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site · Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site · Fundy National Park. These are included so the map also shows where a trip should not be planned as ordinary recreational detecting.

Verified New Brunswick rule and place references

Parlee Beach Provincial Park — Sandy Beach

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Parlee Beach is a major sandy provincial-park beach. New Brunswick policy requires Park Manager approval before using a metal detector on provincial-park property. Separate Parks Act rules restrict excavation and removal, so detector approval must not be treated as permission to dig or take finds.

Map note: Official Canadian Geographical Names Database point for Parlee Beach Provincial Park. It is a broad park reference, not an exact detector-permission zone or beach boundary. Check current beach/park conditions before visiting.

Place type: Provincial park beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 6, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial park policies and rules · NB Parks — Parlee Beach Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: NB Parks confirms the sandy beach. Provincial policy expressly requires Park Manager approval for detector use; CGNDB supplies a broad official park point.

New River Beach Provincial Park — New River Beach

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

New River Beach has unusually strong site-specific evidence: its official resource-management statement lists metal detecting among activities permitted with Park Manager authorization. That authorization still does not override separate provincial rules controlling excavation, removal and archaeological-object recovery.

Map note: Official CGNDB point for New River Beach Provincial Park. The current NB Parks page confirms an expansive sandy beach at low tide. The point is broad, not an activity boundary.

Place type: Provincial park beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 6, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — New River Beach Resource Management Statement · NB Parks — New River Beach Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: The official management statement explicitly lists metal detecting as permitted with Park Manager authorization; the current NB Parks page confirms New River Beach and Chitticks Beach.

Mactaquac Provincial Park — Freshwater Beach Areas

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Mactaquac is a large Saint John River provincial park with freshwater beaches. Detector use requires current Park Manager approval. Excavation and regulated removal remain separately restricted by the Parks Act regulation, and archaeological finds are subject to the Heritage Conservation Act framework.

Map note: Official CGNDB point for Mactaquac Provincial Park. Tourism New Brunswick confirms freshwater beaches. This marker is a broad park reference, not the exact shoreline or a detector-permission zone.

Place type: Provincial park freshwater beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 6, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial park policies and rules · Tourism New Brunswick — Mactaquac Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: Tourism New Brunswick confirms freshwater beaches and the provincial-park identity; CGNDB supplies the official broad park point.

Murray Beach Provincial Park — Sandy Beach

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Murray Beach is an official sandy provincial-park beach on the Northumberland Strait. Park Manager approval is required before detector use. Separate written Minister permission rules apply to excavation and regulated removal; heritage-object recovery is separately permit-controlled.

Map note: Official CGNDB point for Murray Beach Provincial Park. NB Parks confirms the warm saltwater sandy beach. This is a broad park reference, not an exact beach activity boundary.

Place type: Provincial park beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 6, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial park policies and rules · NB Parks — Murray Beach Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: NB Parks explicitly describes Murray Beach as a warm saltwater sandy beach; CGNDB supplies the broad official park point.

Herring Cove Provincial Park — Herring Cove Beach

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Map note: Official CGNDB point for Herring Cove Provincial Park on Campobello Island. Tourism New Brunswick confirms the long beach. It is a broad public-place reference, not an exact legal activity boundary.

Place type: Provincial park beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 6, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial park policies and rules · Tourism New Brunswick — Herring Cove Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: Tourism New Brunswick confirms Herring Cove Provincial Park and its beach; CGNDB supplies the broad official park point.

Fundy Trail Provincial Park — Long Beach / Beach Areas

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Map note: Official CGNDB point for the Fundy Trail park. NB Parks confirms multiple beaches, including Long Beach; the park currently notes the Big Salmon River suspension bridge is closed for the 2026 season. This point is broad, not Long Beach itself.

Place type: Provincial park coastal beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 6, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial park policies and rules · Tourism New Brunswick — Fundy Trail Provincial Park Beaches · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: Tourism New Brunswick confirms Long Beach and multiple discovery beaches; NB Parks confirms current park operations/closures. The CGNDB point is deliberately broad.

Sugarloaf Provincial Park — Campground and Recreation Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Sugarloaf is a high-use provincial recreation park with campground, lodge, trails and family recreation. Metal-detector use still requires Park Manager approval, while excavation and removal require separate written Minister permission.

Map note: Official Canadian Geographical Names Database representative point for Sugarloaf Provincial Park. It is a broad park reference, not an exact detector-permission zone.

Place type: Provincial park recreation area
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · NB Parks — Sugarloaf Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: NB Parks confirms the active recreation park and campground. Provincial policy expressly requires Park Manager approval for detector use; the Parks Act regulation separately controls excavation and removal.

Mount Carleton Provincial Park — Day-Use and Campground Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Mount Carleton is a large wilderness provincial park with registered entry, lodge/café, campgrounds and visitor-use areas. Any detector use requires Park Manager approval and must not be interpreted as permission to excavate or recover objects.

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for Mount Carleton Provincial Park. This is a broad planning reference only; wilderness and sensitive areas must not be treated as detecting zones.

Place type: Wilderness provincial park recreation area
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · NB Parks — Mount Carleton Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: NB Parks confirms current visitor operations and campground/day-use facilities. The marker is deliberately broad because the park is a wilderness-class provincial park.

République Provincial Park — Campground and Recreation Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

République is an active family recreation park with campground and visitor amenities. Detector use requires current Park Manager approval, and digging or regulated removal remains separately permission-controlled.

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for République Provincial Park; not an exact activity or detector boundary.

Place type: Provincial park recreation area
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · NB Parks — République Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: NB Parks confirms current 2026 operation and camping. Provincial park metal-detector and excavation/removal rules apply independently.

Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park — Ocean Floor and Shoreline Access

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. The tidal ocean floor and sea-stack area are environmentally sensitive; this is not a detecting boundary.

Place type: Natural environment provincial park shoreline
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · NB Parks — Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: NB Parks confirms managed ocean-floor and shoreline access. Because this is a natural-environment park with major geological features, no recovery authority is inferred from public access.

The Anchorage Provincial Park — Beach and Campground Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

The Anchorage combines campground, picnic use, trails and beachcombing on Grand Manan. Metal-detector use is not automatically allowed: obtain Park Manager approval and treat excavation/removal as separately restricted.

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for The Anchorage Provincial Park on Grand Manan; broad park reference only.

Place type: Provincial park beach and campground
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · NB Parks — The Anchorage Provincial Park · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: NB Parks expressly describes beachcombing, campground and picnic use. The provincial metal-detector policy and regulation still control detector operation, digging and recovery.

Oak Bay Provincial Park — Swimming Beach

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Oak Bay is an actively monitored provincial-park swimming beach. The public beach status does not grant detector permission; Park Manager approval is required before detector use and excavation/removal remains separately restricted.

Map note: Broad government park-locality reference for Oak Bay Provincial Park, not an exact detector boundary. Current beach condition should be checked separately.

Place type: Provincial park beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Government of Canada park locality reference, rounded
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · Government of New Brunswick — Oak Bay Provincial Park beach monitoring · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: Government of New Brunswick beach monitoring confirms Oak Bay Provincial Park as an active swimming beach; Environment Canada provides the park locality reference. Detector permission remains governed by provincial park policy.

Miscou Provincial Park — Coastal Beach Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Miscou is a natural-environment provincial park with a currently monitored swimming beach. Park Manager approval is required before detector use, and natural/archaeological object removal or excavation requires separate authority.

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for Miscou Provincial Park. The point is broad and must not be treated as an approved detecting area.

Place type: Natural environment provincial park beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · Government of New Brunswick — Provincial park beach conditions · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: Current New Brunswick beach monitoring lists Miscou Provincial Park. Its natural-environment park classification makes conservative non-disturbance treatment especially important.

Val-Comeau Provincial Park — Coastal Beach

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Val-Comeau is a coastal provincial park with a long sandy beach and active beach monitoring. Detector use requires Park Manager approval and does not authorize excavation or removal of finds.

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for Val-Comeau Provincial Park; broad park reference only.

Place type: Provincial park beach
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · Government of New Brunswick — Provincial park beach conditions · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: Government beach monitoring confirms Val-Comeau Provincial Park as an active beach; provincial policy supplies the detector-approval requirement.

Lepreau Falls Provincial Park — Falls and Day-Use Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for Lepreau Falls Provincial Park; broad planning reference only.

Place type: Natural environment provincial park day-use area
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · New Brunswick Regulation 85-104 — current provincial-park schedule and conduct rules · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: The current regulation lists Lepreau Falls as a natural-environment provincial park and separately restricts excavation and removal; CGNDB supplies the broad park point.

Cape Enrage Provincial Park — Coastal Area

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for Cape Enrage Provincial Park. Coastal fossil/geological areas are sensitive; no detector or recovery zone is inferred.

Place type: Natural environment provincial park coast
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · New Brunswick Regulation 85-104 — current provincial-park schedule and conduct rules · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: The current regulation classifies Cape Enrage as a natural-environment provincial park. Public coastal access must not be interpreted as recovery authority.

Castalia Provincial Park — Natural Environment Park Reference

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for Castalia Provincial Park. This map-only planning reference does not identify an approved detector-use area.

Place type: Natural environment provincial park
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · New Brunswick Regulation 85-104 — current provincial-park schedule and conduct rules · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: The current legal schedule confirms Castalia Provincial Park. Its marker is deliberately broad and conservative because no general detector-use authorization is published.

Saint Croix Provincial Park — Natural Environment Park Reference

Park Manager approval required; digging/recovery separately restricted

Saint Croix is a natural-environment provincial park in the current legal schedule. Detector use requires Park Manager approval and does not provide authority to excavate or remove artifacts or natural objects.

Map note: Official CGNDB representative point for Saint Croix Provincial Park; map-only planning reference, not an activity boundary.

Place type: Natural environment provincial park
Detector use: Park Manager Approval Required Before Detector Use
Digging: Provincial Park Excavation Requires Written Minister Permission
Recovery: Do Not Assume Detector Approval Authorizes Removal; Artifact Or Natural Object Removal Requires Written Minister Permission; Archaeological Object Recovery Requires Heritage Authorization
Permission: Obtain Current Park Manager Approval Before Detector Use; Separate Written Minister Permission Required For Excavation Or Regulated Removal
Heritage: Archaeological Objects Must Be Reported; Archaeological Object Recovery By Metal Detecting Requires Archaeological Field Research Permit; Amateur Archaeological Field Research Permits Are Not Currently Issued
Map precision: Official CGNDB provincial-park representative point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Government of New Brunswick — Provincial parks metal-detector policy · New Brunswick Regulation 85-104 — current provincial-park schedule and conduct rules · Coordinate reference

Why this classification: The current provincial regulation confirms Saint Croix Provincial Park and the independent excavation/removal restrictions. CGNDB supplies the broad representative point.

Fundy National Park

Metal detector use prohibited at Parks Canada-administered place

Parks Canada lists Fundy National Park as a current federally protected park/place and publishes the map reference used here. Current Parks Canada visitor guidance states that operating a metal detector is prohibited at all Parks Canada-administered places. This marker is a protected/no-go planning reference, not a detecting destination.

Map note: Official Parks Canada location-finder reference point. This is a no-go planning marker, not a legal boundary or detecting location; do not use the point to infer the protected-area boundary.

Place type: National park / reserve — federally protected area
Detector use: Prohibited At Parks Canada Administered Place
Digging: Prohibited; No Recreational Excavation Or Ground Disturbance Authority Inferred
Recovery: Prohibited; Do Not Remove Historic, Archaeological Or Natural Objects
Permission: No General Recreational Detector Permission; Any Exceptional Authorization Must Come Expressly From Parks Canada
Heritage: Federal Protected Area; Natural And Historic Objects Protected; Leave Objects In Place
Map precision: Official Parks Canada location-finder reference point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Parks Canada — Find a Parks Canada location (official place listing and map reference) · Parks Canada — current visitor guidelines: metal detectors prohibited at all Parks Canada-administered places

Why this classification: Parks Canada’s current location finder confirms this named federal place and provides the reference point used on the map. Current Parks Canada visitor guidelines state that metal detectors are prohibited at all Parks Canada-administered places. The record is therefore intentionally a no-go/protected planning marker. The marker is not a legal boundary.

Kouchibouguac National Park

Metal detector use prohibited at Parks Canada-administered place

Parks Canada lists Kouchibouguac National Park as a current federally protected park/place and publishes the map reference used here. Current Parks Canada visitor guidance states that operating a metal detector is prohibited at all Parks Canada-administered places. This marker is a protected/no-go planning reference, not a detecting destination.

Place type: National park / reserve — federally protected area
Detector use: Prohibited At Parks Canada Administered Place
Digging: Prohibited; No Recreational Excavation Or Ground Disturbance Authority Inferred
Recovery: Prohibited; Do Not Remove Historic, Archaeological Or Natural Objects
Permission: No General Recreational Detector Permission; Any Exceptional Authorization Must Come Expressly From Parks Canada
Heritage: Federal Protected Area; Natural And Historic Objects Protected; Leave Objects In Place
Map precision: Official Parks Canada location-finder reference point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site

Metal detector use prohibited at Parks Canada-administered place

Parks Canada lists Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site as a current federal heritage place and publishes the map reference used here. A Superintendent’s Notice issued April 1, 2026 prohibits metal-detector use within National Historic Sites of Canada until further notice. This marker is a protected/no-go planning reference, not a detecting destination.

Place type: National historic site — federally protected heritage place
Detector use: Prohibited At Parks Canada Administered Place
Digging: Prohibited; No Recreational Excavation Or Ground Disturbance Authority Inferred
Recovery: Prohibited; Do Not Remove Historic, Archaeological Or Natural Objects
Permission: No General Recreational Detector Permission; Any Exceptional Authorization Must Come Expressly From Parks Canada
Heritage: National Historic Site; Historic And Archaeological Resources Protected; Leave Objects In Place
Map precision: Official Parks Canada location-finder reference point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Parks Canada — Find a Parks Canada location (official place listing and map reference) · Parks Canada — Superintendent’s Notice: metal detector use prohibited in National Historic Sites (issued 2026-04-01)

Why this classification: Parks Canada’s current location finder confirms this named federal place and provides the reference point used on the map. The April 1, 2026 Superintendent’s Notice prohibits metal-detector use within National Historic Sites of Canada until further notice. The record is therefore intentionally a no-go/protected planning marker. The marker is not a legal boundary.

Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site

Metal detector use prohibited at Parks Canada-administered place

Parks Canada lists Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland National Historic Site as a current federal heritage place and publishes the map reference used here. A Superintendent’s Notice issued April 1, 2026 prohibits metal-detector use within National Historic Sites of Canada until further notice. This marker is a protected/no-go planning reference, not a detecting destination.

Place type: National historic site — federally protected heritage place
Detector use: Prohibited At Parks Canada Administered Place
Digging: Prohibited; No Recreational Excavation Or Ground Disturbance Authority Inferred
Recovery: Prohibited; Do Not Remove Historic, Archaeological Or Natural Objects
Permission: No General Recreational Detector Permission; Any Exceptional Authorization Must Come Expressly From Parks Canada
Heritage: National Historic Site; Historic And Archaeological Resources Protected; Leave Objects In Place
Map precision: Official Parks Canada location-finder reference point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Boishébert and Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Sites

Metal detector use prohibited at Parks Canada-administered place

Parks Canada lists Boishébert and Beaubears Island Shipbuilding National Historic Sites as a current federal heritage place and publishes the map reference used here. A Superintendent’s Notice issued April 1, 2026 prohibits metal-detector use within National Historic Sites of Canada until further notice. This marker is a protected/no-go planning reference, not a detecting destination.

Place type: National historic site — federally protected heritage place
Detector use: Prohibited At Parks Canada Administered Place
Digging: Prohibited; No Recreational Excavation Or Ground Disturbance Authority Inferred
Recovery: Prohibited; Do Not Remove Historic, Archaeological Or Natural Objects
Permission: No General Recreational Detector Permission; Any Exceptional Authorization Must Come Expressly From Parks Canada
Heritage: National Historic Site; Historic And Archaeological Resources Protected; Leave Objects In Place
Map precision: Official Parks Canada location-finder reference point
Checked: September 8, 2026

Monument Lefebvre National Historic Site

Metal detector use prohibited at Parks Canada-administered place

Parks Canada lists Monument Lefebvre National Historic Site as a current federal heritage place and publishes the map reference used here. A Superintendent’s Notice issued April 1, 2026 prohibits metal-detector use within National Historic Sites of Canada until further notice. This marker is a protected/no-go planning reference, not a detecting destination.

Place type: National historic site — federally protected heritage place
Detector use: Prohibited At Parks Canada Administered Place
Digging: Prohibited; No Recreational Excavation Or Ground Disturbance Authority Inferred
Recovery: Prohibited; Do Not Remove Historic, Archaeological Or Natural Objects
Permission: No General Recreational Detector Permission; Any Exceptional Authorization Must Come Expressly From Parks Canada
Heritage: National Historic Site; Historic And Archaeological Resources Protected; Leave Objects In Place
Map precision: Official Parks Canada location-finder reference point
Checked: September 8, 2026

How to verify a New Brunswick detecting location

Confirm the boundary

A point on this map may represent an entrance, beach, facility, park centre or broad locality. Use the official boundary or site map before entering the field.

Reopen the current rule

Check the cited land-manager page, posted notices and temporary closures. Do not rely on a screenshot or an old forum post.

Separate scanning from digging

A rule that tolerates non-invasive detector use does not automatically authorize excavation, turf cutting, sand displacement or item removal.

Stop for possible heritage

If a target could be archaeological or historically significant, leave the context undisturbed and follow the official heritage reporting or permit process.

Questions about metal detecting in New Brunswick

Does public access mean I can use a metal detector?

No. Visitor access and detector authorization are separate questions. This guide uses “check current rules” when the source confirms public access but does not establish detector permission.

Can I dig after I get a signal?

Only when the controlling land-manager rule permits the specific ground disturbance. The record’s Digging field is intentionally separate from Detector use.

Can I keep what I find?

Only if recovery and retention are lawful for that property and the object is not protected by heritage, park, lost-property or other rules. Review the Recovery and Heritage fields before removing anything.

Other Canada metal detecting guides

Metal detecting in British Columbia Metal detecting in Alberta Metal detecting in Saskatchewan Metal detecting in Manitoba Metal detecting in Ontario Metal detecting in Quebec Metal detecting in Nova Scotia Metal detecting in Prince Edward Island Metal detecting in Newfoundland and Labrador Metal detecting in Yukon Metal detecting in Northwest Territories Metal detecting in Nunavut