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50-state metal detecting intelligence

Metal Detecting in Franklin County, Florida

Official-source rules, permission pathways, map context and practical next steps—kept separate from the rockhounding atlas.

Metal detecting in Franklin County, Florida

Quick answer: there is no county-wide permission assumption. These verified records show the controlling managing agency, legal status, permit/recovery pathway and verification evidence for specific places in Franklin County, Florida.

6 verified records in this scope.

Universal map & navigation coverage1 independently verified coordinate pins · 6 records with safe map navigation
Bald Point State ParkAlligator Point · Franklin County · FloridaVerified public address map search
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John Gorrie Museum State ParkApalachicola · Franklin County · FloridaSensitive-site safe public reference map search
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Orman House Historic State ParkApalachicola · Franklin County · FloridaSensitive-site safe public reference map search
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St. Vincent National Wildlife RefugeApalachicola · Franklin County · FloridaVerified public address map search
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Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State ParkSt. George Island · Franklin County · FloridaVerified public address map search
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Smith Creek LandingSumatra · Franklin County · FloridaVerified access/reference pin
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Allowed/restrictedPermit requiredProhibitedRestricted / partialReview

Map meaning: verified coordinate pins identify independently grounded public visitor/access reference points. Query-only records can be resolved on demand as temporary provider search matches; sensitive records use a deliberately broader agency/locality query. Temporary search matches are not stored as verified coordinates. No map mode is a property boundary, detecting zone, archaeological target, or permission boundary.

Zone confirmation required – manager-designated coastal beach area only Grade A · 100/100

Bald Point State Park

Alligator Point · Franklin County · Florida State Parks

Florida State Parks prohibits metal detecting on state park lands except at coastal parks, where detecting may occur only in certain beach areas between the toe of the dune and the high-water line as…

DecisionZone Confirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanConfirm Exact Designated Zone Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional legal exception with unresolved exact spatial designation
Permit: No general permit identified; exact manager-designated beach zone must be confirmed Verified: 2026-08-19
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsVerified public address map search
Prohibited Grade A · 99/100

John Gorrie Museum State Park

Apalachicola · Franklin County · Florida State Parks

Florida State Parks prohibits metal detecting on state park lands except certain coastal beach areas designated by a park manager. This record does not contain a qualifying manager-designated coastal detecting beach, so ordinary recreational…

DecisionProhibitedTrip readyNoPlanChoose Legal AlternativeEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionExpress detector-use prohibition or equivalent no-detecting rule
Permit: No Verified: 2026-08-14
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsSensitive-site safe public reference map search
Prohibited Grade A · 99/100

Orman House Historic State Park

Apalachicola · Franklin County · Florida State Parks

Florida State Parks prohibits metal detecting on state park lands except certain coastal beach areas designated by a park manager. This record does not contain a qualifying manager-designated coastal detecting beach, so ordinary recreational…

DecisionProhibitedTrip readyNoPlanChoose Legal AlternativeEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionExpress detector-use prohibition or equivalent no-detecting rule
Permit: No Verified: 2026-08-14
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsSensitive-site safe public reference map search
Search/recovery restricted – antiquity/treasure searches prohibited; lost-item detector use unresolved Grade A · 100/100

St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge

Apalachicola · Franklin County · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Current federal Refuge System rules prohibit searches for/removal of antiquities and prohibit searches for buried treasure, treasure trove and specified mineral objects unless authorized; they also prohibit unauthorized disturbance/removal of refuge property and natural…

DecisionSearch RestrictedTrip readyNoPlanResolve Search Purpose And Site Rule Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionPurpose-specific search/resource restriction — not a blanket detector-use ban
Permit: Required for regulated searches; modern lost-item detector use unresolved Verified: 2026-08-19
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsVerified public address map search
Zone confirmation required – manager-designated coastal beach area only Grade A · 100/100

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park

St. George Island · Franklin County · Florida State Parks

Florida State Parks prohibits metal detecting on state park lands except at coastal parks, where detecting may occur only in certain beach areas between the toe of the dune and the high-water line as…

DecisionZone Confirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanConfirm Exact Designated Zone Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional legal exception with unresolved exact spatial designation
Permit: No general permit identified; exact manager-designated beach zone must be confirmed Verified: 2026-08-19
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsVerified public address map search
Manager confirmation required — Forest Service policy exists, but exact site category/footprint needs local confirmation Grade A · 98/100

Smith Creek Landing

Sumatra · Franklin County · U.S. Forest Service – National Forests in Florida

Forest Service policy supports recreational modern lost-item detecting subject to strong resource protections, but this specific Florida forest site is not sufficiently verified as a trip-ready developed detecting footprint. It is publication-cleared as manager/site…

DecisionConfirmation RequiredTrip readyNoPlanObtain Manager Site Confirmation Before TravelEvidenceCurrentScopeManager Or Site Confirmation RequiredPrecisionAuthoritative scope reviewed; exact recreational detector/recovery permission remains manager/site-specific
Permit: Local Forest Service/site confirmation required before travel Verified: 2026-08-19
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsVerified access/reference pin