Ever wondered where to unearth hidden steel treasures? Discover top spots for metal detecting and unlock your next thrilling adventure! Ready to dive in?

When I started to detect artifacts which are made out of steel as a hobby, I struggled a lot to find a better place.
And I didn’t know that some places actually needed permission before doing any activities.
I wanted to find all the top locations to find steel with my metal detector and I went for professional detectorists around the US.
Now with years of experience, here are my top locations to go for steel metal detecting,
- The beach
- Gardens
- Parks and commons
- Fields
- Woods
- Church grounds
- Abandoned historic buildings
- Ancient battlefields
- Old houses
- Historically valuable trails
And the list will keep going on.
Now I know you must be having some other specific questions on getting permission and finding the best spots around the USA.
I’ll include everything that I’ve found out and learned. It doesn’t matter that you’re living out of the States. Still, these will be useful.
So keep on reading!

Searching For A Land To Detect Steel
For beginners, finding a perfect place to do metal detecting might be daunting. But there are simple things that can be done in order to find a better place without hassle.
First, you need to check whether your metal detector is able to detect steel findings.
Keep in mind that these things will definitely get familiar to you and won’t be even a problem over time.
Let’s hop into the ways that can be used to find a proper land.
Maps
Maps are a good way to find a space to do the metal detection.
Old maps, tithe maps, and even Google Maps can be used now to find a good spot.
Old maps can be found at the city libraries. With modern technology upgrades, these can also be found as PDFs online.

A tithe map was created in the 19th century to record the ownership and productivity of the lands. These maps were created as a part of tithe communication.
Tithe refers to a payment of tax on crops.
In 1836, the cash payment was stopped and instead, landowners were advised to pay tithes in a fixed amount of money, which was in a kind of land.
These lands were marked on maps together with roads, rivers, and buildings. So these are good startups to search for land.
Observing The Shape Of The Land
The land could be self-observed to get any clue or indication of old parts of buildings or other structures.
This will give a brief idea of how old the place is and decide on if it is worth a search.

Archives
Researching the old national or international archives is another good way to find a better place for steel metal detection.
There are guides about different places in these archives which will give an idea about the history, the type of buildings that were there, and the current situation.
This will inform you where to find the actual records of the place and where to get permission if needed.
I enjoyed this type of research because it gives so many facts and details that are amazing and interesting.

Social Media
Join forums, groups, and chats that are related to metal detecting. Trust me there are a lot of people who are doing this.
They are very helpful and you might probably find a pal to work with. If you’re a beginner, this is one of the best ways.

Communicate
You will be surprised if you spend some time talking with the people in the neighborhood that you are planning to do the detecting.
Talk to people. Older people have so many facts with them that will reveal a lot more than we think.
You can ask questions about what was located there before, rough time frames, any artifacts or monuments found before, etc.
This also might benefit you in getting permission to explore the particular site.
How To Get Permission To Detect Steel
So now that you know how to search for a good place, let’s look into the steps that could be taken in order to ask for permission.
Some places might not need permission as they will be abundant.
But some places require permission to explore and there are some steps to be followed in order to get permitted into the grounds.
As long as you don’t own the space, it is always better to go to its owner and ask them.
Here are some ways that you can use to get or ask for permission.

Go To The Owners And Talk To Them
If the place that you have selected has its owners nearby, or if you want to know who is owning the place, go to the nearby houses and knock on the doors.
The people who live nearby the areas might actually be the owners or they might know who is! You can get a lot of information by talking with the neighbors.
Ask The Country Or City Authorities Whether Steel Detecting is Allowed
Some places don’t allow outsiders to come and do research work in their cities or countries. So the best way to know this is to go to the authorities and inquire.
The sheriff’s office or the nearest police department could help you out on this.
Write Letters
If the property owner is living far and you don’t have any other access to get connected to that person, write a letter.
Mention what is your purpose, and how long are you going to do the detection and ask them to write a letter of confirmation back just in case of an emergency.
If the neighbors or the police will interrupt, you can show them the letter that the owner gave with permission.

Top Locations to Find Steel by Metal Detecting
I explained everything about how to find the best places to detect steel and how to get permission.
But how to really know that this place will be the best?
Let me suggest some of the best places where you can search and actually find steel.
1. Around Your House
If you just bought a detector and want to practice or test it out, your own home is the best place for it.
Your own property might sometimes surprise you with fantastic steel findings. I found a hair clip once which was popular a few decades ago.
You will practice how to properly dig in plugs and how to do the settings of the detector to find things.
It’s good to use your own house premises during practice time.

2. Parks
This is another good place to find steel objects. People usually lose or leave things at parks.
So they are filled with buried stuff most of the time.
Even though these areas are common among metal detectors, still there might be some space left out.

3. Beaches
Beaches are at the top of my favorite list for steel metal detecting.
Since people continuously visit here and lose or leave things behind accidentally, they never run out of hidden objects.
These places will also bring out artifacts and valuable stuff to the shore from the sea at times. These can be precious to be found.

4. Old Church Grounds
Old churches hold a lot of unique things like coins and other artifacts.
People gather every week here and enjoy time together.
This could be a life-changing experience since you’re about to take every step that is holding something valuable underneath!

5. Old and Abandoned Homes
Old houses which are abandoned now were once loving homes to different families.
Most of them were occupied decades back. These places also have some items that are used regularly or precious items that are left behind.
6. Historically Valuable Trails
Old maps can be used to determine what are the oldest roads and trails used and they can be detected.
Some roads will not even exist now but still, these areas can be detected to find old steel items.

7. Old Farmhouses
These places also have a lot of stuff made out of steel.
Ask the owners where they usually dump or burn unwanted things. This might be the place to find your jackpot as everything is thrown here.

Best Places In the USA To Detect Steel
Since I cannot cover every single city in the USA that is best for steel detection, I’ll ease the work out for you by mentioning the best states in the US that are suitable for steel detection.
I’ve personally been to a lot of those places to find steel. So, I can guarantee you’ll find some steel treasures from the locations that I’m going to share.
Most importantly, these places also have friendly laws on metal detecting.
1. Arizona
There might be no other precious state other than Arizona when it comes to finding valuable treasure with a metal detector.
Arizona has a rich history of mining and there are a lot of places that have produced many metals. Especially steel.
This is a popular area among the detectorists where they come searching for metal artifacts and valuables.
Here are some places around Arizona that will most probably let you find steel treasures,
- Flagstaff- Roy Gardener’s train robbery loot
- Cerro Colorado
- Solomon
- Gillette ghost town
- Tumacacori mission
- Lynx creek
- Rich hill

2. California
Detectors from all over the country visit here with the aim of finding treasures.
With the gold rush that began in 1848, it has been famous for finding gold as well as other artifacts and steel items that are used in mining.
Some best places in California to detect steel are,
- Sacramento
- El Dorado
- Amador
- Mariposa
- Nevada
- Columbia
- Angels camp
- Randsburg

3. Pennsylvania
This place has a rich history with natural beauty. It is therefore popular among amateur and seasoned detectorists.
It is allowed to use metal detectors in Pennsylvania with a few rules such as,
- The state parks are allowed to detect once the state park manager approves.
- Any historical items that are found should be reported to the authorities.
Here are some good places in Pennsylvania to find steel,
- Delaware River
- French creek
- Ghost towns
- Abandoned rail tracks
- Lancaster
- York

4. Georgia
This is another state of the USA that is detectorist friendly. You are allowed to use the detector if you obey a few rules.
Georgia is popular as it was once inhabited by many Native American tribes. There are many steel treasures and relics that belong to them that can be found here.
There are also artifacts that belong to English and Spanish from the 1700s. Civil war relics can also be found commonly here.
Keep in mind that some of the beaches here are off the limits.
So better do research and get permission if needed before keeping your hands on beaches around Georgia.

Best Countries To Do Steel Metal Detection Around The World
I have visited Canada, Mexico, Spain, Australia, and some parts of Asia for metal detecting.
But I have detectorist friends all over the world.
So, recently I have interviewed some of them to know what they know about steel metal detection and what countries they suggest the most to find steel treasures.
According to the information I’ve collected here’re the best countries to do steel metal detecting around the world,
- Australia
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- France
- Spain
- Germany
- Italy
- Ireland
- Scotland
- Japan
- India
These are the historically valuable countries where detectors claim to find a lot of steel treasures and artifacts.

If you’re planning to go to another country for metal detecting, do thorough research on what are the valuable places and what are the rules that should be followed.
Congrats folks! Now you know all the best places to find steel metal detecting not only in the US but also around the world.
You can find stainless steel items as well from the same locations where you can find steel items since their ingredients are the same and only the compositions are different.
But detecting stainless steel with metal detectors is questionable. Therefore, you might need to follow different methods.

So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
How can I use maps to identify good places for steel metal detecting?
Old maps, tithe maps, and even Google maps are useful tools to identify potential metal detecting spots. These maps can provide information about old roads, rivers, buildings, and lands that could be rich in steel artifacts.
How important is getting permission for steel metal detecting?
Permission is essential when you plan to metal detect on private property or certain public lands. Unauthorized metal detecting can lead to legal issues, so it’s always best to ask for permission from the landowner or relevant authorities.
Are there any specific locations in the US that are ideal for steel metal detecting?
Several states in the US, like Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, are known to be hotspots for steel metal detecting. These places have a rich history and are often frequented by detectorists looking for steel artifacts.
Is steel a valuable find when metal detecting?
Yes, steel is considered a valuable find when metal detecting. Due to its durability and widespread use in various industries, finding steel artifacts can be quite rewarding.
Can I bring my metal detector through an airport?
Yes, metal detectors are allowed on airplanes but should be transported in checked luggage. Always double-check with your airline for any specific requirements or restrictions.
Is steel recyclable?
Yes. It is a highly recyclable metal.
How accurate is detecting steel?
It depends on the type of the detector that is used and its settings of sensitivity.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best Places To Find Steel Metal Detecting
Phew. So here’s everything I know on the best places to do steel metal detecting. I think I have helped a lot of detectors out there by writing this!
The best places to find steel when metal detecting include beaches, gardens, parks, old houses, historic trails, and ancient battlefields. For optimal results, using old maps or engaging with online metal detecting communities can provide additional location suggestions. Always seek permission when detecting on private property.
I have covered general areas where you can find steel treasures, US states, and the best countries for steel detection as well.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
I’m not an expert yet but I’m here if you need help. I’ll be answering all your questions related to steel detecting.
So why are you waiting? Go knock on the door of your neighbor and ask for permission to dig out some steel treasures! Have fun!