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50-state metal detecting intelligence

North Carolina National Forest Metal Detecting

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

North Carolina National Forest Metal Detecting

These records apply only to verified locations whose written rule and site-specific recreation footprint have been verified. A map pin is a public visitor/reference point, never a permission boundary.

4 verified records in this scope.

Universal map & navigation coverage0 independently verified coordinate pins · 4 records with safe map navigation
Croatan National ForestNorth CarolinaNamed public place map search
GoogleOSMApple
Nantahala National ForestNorth CarolinaNamed public place map search
GoogleOSMApple
Pisgah National ForestNorth CarolinaNamed public place map search
GoogleOSMApple
Uwharrie National ForestNorth CarolinaNamed public place map search
GoogleOSMApple
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.

Prohibited — metal detectors are closed outside specifically designated open areas unless a qualifying special-use permit applies Grade A · 100/100

Croatan National Forest

USDA Forest Service

National Forests in North Carolina Order 04-16-2010 prohibits metal detector possession/use outside specifically designated open areas, subject to listed permit/official exceptions.

DecisionProhibitedTrip readyNoPlanChoose Legal AlternativeEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionExpress detector-use prohibition or equivalent no-detecting rule
Permit: Special-use permit exception may apply only when specifically authorized Verified: 2026-08-29
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsNamed public place map search
Prohibited — metal detectors are closed outside specifically designated open areas unless a qualifying special-use permit applies Grade A · 100/100

Nantahala National Forest

USDA Forest Service

National Forests in North Carolina Order 04-16-2010 prohibits metal detector possession/use outside specifically designated open areas, subject to listed permit/official exceptions.

DecisionProhibitedTrip readyNoPlanChoose Legal AlternativeEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionExpress detector-use prohibition or equivalent no-detecting rule
Permit: Special-use permit exception may apply only when specifically authorized Verified: 2026-08-29
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsNamed public place map search
Prohibited — metal detectors are closed outside specifically designated open areas unless a qualifying special-use permit applies Grade A · 100/100

Pisgah National Forest

USDA Forest Service

National Forests in North Carolina Order 04-16-2010 prohibits metal detector possession/use outside specifically designated open areas, subject to listed permit/official exceptions.

DecisionProhibitedTrip readyNoPlanChoose Legal AlternativeEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionExpress detector-use prohibition or equivalent no-detecting rule
Permit: Special-use permit exception may apply only when specifically authorized Verified: 2026-08-29
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsNamed public place map search
Prohibited — metal detectors are closed outside specifically designated open areas unless a qualifying special-use permit applies Grade A · 100/100

Uwharrie National Forest

USDA Forest Service

National Forests in North Carolina Order 04-16-2010 prohibits metal detector possession/use outside specifically designated open areas, subject to listed permit/official exceptions.

DecisionProhibitedTrip readyNoPlanChoose Legal AlternativeEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionExpress detector-use prohibition or equivalent no-detecting rule
Permit: Special-use permit exception may apply only when specifically authorized Verified: 2026-08-29
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsNamed public place map search
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