Maryland is a beautiful state that boasts 3,190 miles of shoreline. I enjoy metal-detecting beaches, so you can understand my enthusiasm to visit the state. Maryland boasts 15 beaches in 10 different counties in Maryland, so there are plenty of options.
We traveled around Maryland, and on our adventures, I noted seven of my favorite parks to go metal detecting. Let’s take a stroll through these parks together, and I’ll tell you some of the things we learned on our journeys.
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1. Sandy Point State Park – Swimming and Sun at A Point!
In Anne Arundel County, you’ll find Sandy Point State Park. The park is one with a long and beautiful beach that turns ninety degrees at the point, making it feel like you’re on an island when you’re on the point with water on so many sides.
The park boasts some excellent fishing and crabbing (in season), which is one of the things that pulled me out of Annapolis to visit the park. I had heard it can be busy, so I went first thing in the morning on an overcast day with scattered showers – the perfect weather for beach metal detecting!
Some of the other great things at the park, activities, and amenities are:
- Boating
- Swimming
- Crabbing
- Fishing
- Wildlife viewing
Source: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/southern/sandypoint.aspx
Here’s how to find Sandy Point State Park – https://goo.gl/maps/hTWR3fpGxbsrWKMN7
2. Assateague State Park – Two Miles of Island Beach Fun!
In Berlin, Maryland, there’s an island called Assateague Island. The island boasts the state’s only oceanfront park. The two miles of beach make for an excellent location for your metal detecting adventures.
The weekend I stayed at Assateague, we used their campground and even did a little fishing. We also decided to do some good old-fashioned beachcombing when the earphones grew annoying. You don’t have to worry about what time of day either if you’re just doing a little beachcombing, not like metal detecting with its set hours.
Here are some of the park’s highlights:
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Wildlife watching (including wild ponies!)
- Beachcombing
- Swimming
Source: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/assateague.aspx
You can find this incredible park here – https://goo.gl/maps/Ygte6UtpsdWM4bxU6
3. Deep Creek Lake State Park – Amazing Activities!
Deep Creek Lake is a human-made lake in Swanton, Maryland. The lake boasts not one but two sandy beaches where people enjoy relaxing, swimming, and water sports. You can enjoy metal detecting at both beaches.
The park is also excellent if you like hiking or biking trails. There are over 20 miles of these trails in the park. The added 112 site campground means you can book a site to camp so you can spend the whole day hiking, fishing, swimming, or metal detecting (during the permitted times, of course).
Here are a few of the park’s amenities and activities:
- 20 miles of hiking trails
- 112 site campground
- 6,000 square foot discovery center
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hunting
Source: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/deepcreek.aspx
You can find the Deep Creek State Park here – https://goo.gl/maps/TKKdgdAjw2WR4fz57
4. Greenbrier State Park – Treasure Hunting the Appalachians!
As my title suggests, Greenbrier State Park is located in the Appalachian Mountains. The lake is human-made, 42-acres of watery enjoyment. We took full advantage of the sandy beaches, both for metal detecting and swimming.
The Greenbrier State Park also offers camping, which is great if you’re on a budget or merely enjoy a peaceful night camping in the great outdoors. However, there’s more to do at the park than just swim, metal detect, and camp. Here are some of the park’s other allowed activities and amenities:
- Camping
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Boating
You can find the Lost Dutchman State Park here – https://goo.gl/maps/uKxX1FAXbuC5hUto8
Source: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/greenbrier.aspx
5. Janes Island State Park – Seemingly Untouched Beauty
Janes Island State Park is a special place. People have been in the area for thousands of years, but it still feels wild and untouched. When I was there, I enjoyed studying the saltmarsh. It’s not something you see every day if you don’t live nearby, so for me, it was fascinating. The park has many amenities as well.
There are 103 campsites, rental cabins, a boat ramp, and a marina to use and enjoy. The pristine and isolated beaches can be tough to find without watercraft, but seeing these beaches offers the opportunity of beachcombing, swimming, metal detecting, and other adventures. The park also allows fishing, crabbing, boating, and paddling watersports.
Source: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/eastern/janesisland.aspx
Metal Detecting Tip: if you don’t have a metal detector yet, or if you need to replace your first one, please, get a decent metal detector. I’m not saying go out and spend thousands, but somewhere around $500 is a great place to start. Trust me; a good metal detector is worth its weight in gold, figuratively speaking, of course. For more great tips on detecting and more, read this article: https://metaldetectingtips.com/metal-detecting-tips/
6. Rocky Gap State Park – Surrounded by Rugged Mountains!
Western Maryland has a county called Allegany County that boasts some impressive features. One of these features is the Rocky Gap State Park. This park holds lake Habeeb, 243-acres of the bluest water in all of Maryland. The beach is busy at this park, making it a challenging but rewarding destination for us metal detectorists.
When I visited the park with my family, we stayed at one of the electric-powered sites with our RV. The park has 30 or such sites in their 278-site campground at the park. It means you can play all day and don’t even have to leave the park entirely at night because you can camp right there on site.
Source: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/rockygap.aspx
7. Herrington Manor State Park – Resort-Style Accommodations!
Camping multiple nights throughout our adventures across Maryland, there were days we were tired of staying in a tent or even the RV. We decided to book a night in one of the cabins at Herrington Manor State Park to satisfy our need for a nice place to spend the night.
Herrington Manor offers 365-acres of park fun in Garret State Forest, near Oakland, Maryland. It offers activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, boating, fishing, and other watersports.
Source: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/herrington.aspx
Metal Detecting Laws for Maryland
Maryland is a state that allows metal detecting in the state parks, but only under certain conditions. First, metal detecting is only allowed in the search for modern coins, jewelry, et cetera. The areas allowed are just the beach, but you’ll have to check with the park because the areas might change.
Permission is required to do metal detecting at the beaches in state parks that allow the hobby without a permit. The use of metal detectors is also only allowed during park hours and from 9 am to dusk from May 30 through Labor Day. Park managers may, at their discretion, limit the use of metal detectors in the park if they feel it affects the everyday use of the beach. In other words, if the beach is busy, don’t expect to get permission. Maryland state park beaches are the best metal detected on cooler or rainy days when swimmers aren’t present.
Quick Law Recap:
- Maryland State Parks: Metal detecting is allowed on beaches only and requires permission from the park manager. No permit is required. It’s always wise to check in with the local park office. If you’re looking for where to read a bit more go to the state. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Metal Detecting
- National Forests: Permit required from US Forest Service
- BLM Lands: Permit required. No BLM land in Maryland.
Metal Detecting Clubs in Maryland
- Maryland Free-State Treasure Club – Essex, MD – It’s an active club currently holding monthly meetings via Zoom. They meet on the last Thursday of every month. – http://marylandfreestateclub.com/
- Maryland Artifact Recovery Society – Glen Burnie, MD – Another active club that holds monthly meetings on the second Wednesday of each month. – http://www.marsdetecting.org/
- Shore Seekers Artifact and Recovery Club – Salisbury, MD – http://www.shoreseekers.org/
Metal Detecting Tip: If possible, try to get out either early or late in the day. The reason for this is that you’ll wind up spending a lot less time answering people’s questions about what you’re doing and a lot more time listening for that elusive cache. For more great tips, take a look at this article: https://metaldetectingtips.com/metal-detecting-tips/
Metal Detecting Treasures Found in Maryland
One of the best feelings a metal detectorist can hope for is recognition for a find. A firefighter in the state had lost his treasured fire department medallion when on the beach one day. He was pretty shaken up over losing this symbol of his achievement.
A year passed for the firefighter when Ken Askey, a hobby metal detectorist, found the prized possession nearly 50 miles from where the firefighter had lost it.
Read the full story here –https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/man-with-metal-detector-reunites-maryland-firefighter-with-treasured-medallion-lost-on-beach/2624392/
Metal Detecting Resources in Maryland
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources website for state parks. – https://dnr.maryland.gov/Publiclands/Pages/default.aspx
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources list of state parks with swimming (beaches). – https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/activities.aspx?activity=Swimming
Metal Detector Stores in Maryland For Expert Advice
- Battlefield Detectors – Boonsboro, MD – http://www.battlefielddetectors.com/
- Frederick Metal Detector Rental Service – Silver Spring, MD – https://metal-detector-rental.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
Learning How to Use Your Metal Detector Can Be Tough, But I’ve Got You Covered with These Articles
- What is a Pulse Induction (PI)- What is a PI and how to properly use it
- Can you Metal Detect in the Winter – Yes but read this article to learn the tips and tricks.
- Metal Detecting Digging Tools Complete Guide – Digging is part of metal detecting get the tools to do it right.
David Humphries, Writer and Creator of METAL DETECTING TIPS. After borrowing my son’s detector and finding $.25. I felt like a treasure hunter. FREE MONEY! I was seriously bitten by the metal detecting bug.
Read about David -> HERE
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