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50-state metal detecting intelligence

Virginia National Forest Metal Detecting

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

Virginia 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.

2 verified records in this scope.

Universal map & navigation coverage0 independently verified coordinate pins · 2 records with safe map navigation
George Washington National ForestVirginiaNamed public place map search
GoogleOSMApple
Jefferson National ForestVirginiaNamed 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.

Allowed with restrictions — recent lost-item detecting may be lawful in suitable areas outside archaeological, historic, protected and closed locations; verify current local orders Grade A · 100/100

George Washington National Forest

USDA Forest Service

Current Forest Service policy allows recreational searching for modern lost items in suitable National Forest locations where archaeological/historic resources are absent or not reasonably expected, subject to closures, land status and other laws.

DecisionAllowed With ConditionsTrip readyYesPlanGo Only With Verified ConditionsEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional detector permission
Permit: Usually no permit for ordinary recent-lost-item searching in suitable areas; verify exact district/order before travel Verified: 2026-08-29
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsNamed public place map search
Allowed with restrictions — recent lost-item detecting may be lawful in suitable areas outside archaeological, historic, protected and closed locations; verify current local orders Grade A · 100/100

Jefferson National Forest

USDA Forest Service

Current Forest Service policy allows recreational searching for modern lost items in suitable National Forest locations where archaeological/historic resources are absent or not reasonably expected, subject to closures, land status and other laws.

DecisionAllowed With ConditionsTrip readyYesPlanGo Only With Verified ConditionsEvidenceCurrentScopeControlling Rule Scope StoredPrecisionConditional detector permission
Permit: Usually no permit for ordinary recent-lost-item searching in suitable areas; verify exact district/order before travel Verified: 2026-08-29
Open verified record Google MapOpenStreetMapApple MapsNamed public place map search