Ever wondered what treasures lie beneath Missouri’s state parks? Join us on a detecting adventure!
Missouri is one state that boasts significant biodiversity within its borders, providing ample opportunities for individuals to unwind and enjoy quality time in nature.
The abundant natural settings of Missouri always intrigued me, prompting plans to visit for metal detecting adventures.
In the spring of 2015, I realized my dream of visiting Missouri. Following my visit, I discovered that many state parks in Missouri permit metal detecting.
Overjoyed, I began exploring numerous parks, adhering strictly to the rules and regulations.
During my time there, I had the chance to interview various expert metal detectorists in Missouri, who generously shared their favorite state parks for metal detecting.
After spending time metal detecting in each recommended park, I decided to share a list of metal-detecting-friendly state parks with you, drawing on my experiences and information gathered from local experts.
So, here are the best state parks in Missouri to metal detect,
- Cuivre River State Park
- Finger Lakes State Park
- Harry S. Truman State Park
- Lake of the Ozarks State Park
- Lake Wappapello State Park
- Lewis and Clark State Park
- Long Branch State Park
- Pomme de Terre State Park
- St. Joe State Park
- Stockton State Park
- Trail of Tears State Park
- Wakonda State Park
- Watkins Woolen Mill State Park
But that’s just a quick overview of the question!
So, in this article, I’ll explore the best state parks in Missouri to metal detect and how to metal detect in them following the techniques and ethics.
At last, I will share some of the tips and tricks I use during metal detecting, which always makes my life easier in the field.
So, if you are struggling to detect anything with your metal detector in the state parks, I insist you stay until the end and read about these tips I’m about to share with you.
So, let’s dig in!
Can You Metal Detect in Missouri State Parks?
Yes. You can metal detect in the state parks of Missouri.
Missouri is allowing ethical metal detecting in its state parks. To detect metal in a state park, a person should have a valid metal detecting permit from the local government or state park office.
After obtaining this permit, you will be informed of the rules and regulations you must adhere to while metal detecting the state parks.
Metal Detecting Locations and Hours in Missouri State Parks
Here is the table with the metal detecting locations and hours for the various state parks:
| Facility | Memorial Day to Labor Day | Labor Day to Memorial Day |
|---|---|---|
| Cuivre River State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Daylight hours |
| Finger Lakes State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Daylight hours |
| Lake of the Ozarks State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Daylight hours |
| Lake Wappapello State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Daylight hours |
| Long Branch State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Daylight hours |
| Pomme de Terre State Park | 10 a.m. to noon | Closed |
| Stockton State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Daylight hours |
| Trail of Tears State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Daylight hours |
| Harry S Truman State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Closed |
| Mark Twain State Park | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. | Closed |
| Watkins Mill State Park | 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. | Closed |
Best State Parks in Missouri to Metal Detect
Now let’s have a look at the best state park in Missouri for metal detecting in detail with the treasures you can find.
Just keep reading!
1. Cuivre River State Park
Cuivre River State Park is located in Lincoln County near Try. This was established in the year of 1946.
People have been visiting this state park to enjoy the scenic views of the Cuivre River and Lincoln Lake.
Among the many things allowed in the park, like hiking, fishing, swimming, and camping, metal detecting is allowed in the park territory.
It would be best to have a valid permission slip to enter the park with a metal detector. Then, you can engage in metal-detecting activities.
Hiking trails and camping grounds are amazing places to start metal detecting in this park, and you can find stuff like coins and other lost items from the visitors.
Read to know the Best Metal Detecting Finds in Missouri!
2. Finger Lakes State Park
Finger Lakes State Park is in Boone County near the Columbia city limits. This area was declared as a state park in the year of 1981.
People often visit the park to enjoy the views of several finger-shaped lakes formed by strip mining in early times.
Also, a designated area for offroad vehicle riding is a massive park selling point.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park. It would be best to have a valid permit from the authorities to metal detect in the state park.
Among the things you encounter, coins and other small items lost by the people who visited earlier will be the majority.
3. Harry S. Truman State Park
Harry S. Truman Park, commonly known as the Truman State Park, is in Benton County near Warsaw. This was recently declared as a state park in 1983.
Inside the state park is a massive artificial reservoir, helping to control the eater management of the area. This is the state park’s main attraction point, the Truman Reservoir.
Many activities are allowed in the park, including fishing, hiking, and camping. Metal detecting is also allowed in the park limits.
You need to have a valid permit to engage in metal detecting activities. I found some coins, hiking equipment, camping pegs, and tin cans from my time at the state park.Â
According to my experience, Harry S. Truman State Park is one of the best places in Missouri to metal detect.
4. Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Lake of the Ozarks State Park is located in Camden County near Kaiser. This was declared as a state park in 1946.
The park is known for its scenic hiking trails, marina facilities, and lakefront access. Apart from that, people come to the state park to enjoy the wide array of wildlife.
Among the many activities allowed in the park, metal detecting is also legal. I have a valid permit to enjoy metal detecting in the park.
The park, fishing areas, and hiking trails could be good hotspots for anyone to metal detect. I found some coins and a phone dropped by a visitor, which I later returned to the rightful owner.
5. Lake Wappapello State Park
Lake Wappapello State Park is located in Wayne County, near Williamsville. This was declared a state park in 1962.
People often visit the state park to enjoy some quality time around Lake Wappapello, a reservoir made for flood management in the state.
Apart from the lush scenery of Lake Wappapello, the park also offers scenic views of woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands beyond the lake.
Among many activities like fishing, boating, and camping, metal detecting is also allowed in the park.
But to engage in metal detecting activities, you must have a valid permission slip.
You will be able to find lost items from previous travelers and money in terms of coins from the state park.
6. Lewis and Clark State Park
Lewis and Clark State Park is located in Buchanan County near Rushville. This was declared an estate park in 1964, and people have visited it since.
People are attracted to the Missouri River’s natural beauty, and the park is famous for the Lewis and Clark expeditions.
Apart from these, there are scenic hiking trails in the park that people are eager to climb.
Among the many activities like hiking and fishing, metal detecting is also allowed in the park. It would be best to have a valid permit to engage in metal-detecting activities.
Among the many things, you can find coins and other lost items from previous visitors. Hiking trails and the fishing area near the river banks are good for starting the metal detecting process.
7. Long Branch State Park
Long Branch State Park is located near Macon in Macon County. This was declared a state park in 1959.
The park offers people a crop of the most beautiful land in Missouri. Along with the natural beauty, there is the Long Branch Reservoir in the park, where people can enjoy multiple water activities.
Among the many activities allowed in the park, metal detecting is also a prominent activity that many people enjoy doing in the park.
You need permission to metal detect from the state park officials, and then you can enjoy metal detecting in the park.
Among the many things you can find, camping pieces of equipment and leftovers, fishing equipment, and copies will be the majority.
8. Pomme de Terre State Park
Pomme de Terre State Park was declared a state park in 1961, surrounding the Pomme de Terre lake. This is located near Pittsburg in Hickory County.
People have been visiting the Pomme de Terre Park to enjoy the scenery of the Pomme de Terre lake and the diverse wildlife habitats in the park.
Apart from that, the park is open for various outdoor activities, which makes many people want to visit the park.
Among the many things allowed in the park, like fishing, boating, camping, and hiking, metal detecting is also allowed.
It would be best if you had a valid permit to engage in metal-detecting activities in the designated areas of the park.
You can find stuff like coins, jewelry, artifacts, and relics belonging to previous visitors.
9. St. Joe State Park
St. Joe State Park is located in St. Francois County in Park Cills town. This was declared fairly recently as a state park in 1976.
This area was previously mining land, which the federal government now reclaims to establish offroad tracks for people to enjoy offroad driving.
Apart from that, there are opportunities for people to engage in picnicking and hiking in the park.
Apart from these considered legal in the park, metal detecting is also allowed. You need to get permission from the authorities to engage in metal detecting in the park.
If you were looking for places to meal detect, hiking trails and abandoned mining areas are the best in the park. You will be able to find common stuff like coins and jewelry and some items belonging to the area’s mining history.
10. Stockton State Park
Stockton State Park is located in Dade County near the town of Dadeville. This state park was declared in 1969, and people have been visiting it since.
This is established surrounding Stockton Lake, which people often visit to enjoy the calm, tranquil nature surrounding the lake.
This also supports people interested in observing wildlife due to the large biodiversity of animals in the park.
Among the activities allowed, metal detecting is one of the popular activities in the park. It would be best if you had a permit to engage in meal-detecting activities in the park.
You can find coins, lost jewelry, and other personal items misplaced and lost by previous visitors.
11. Trail of Tears State Park
Trail of Tears State Park is located in Cape Girardeau County near Jackson. This was declared as a state park in 1958.
As the name suggests, it holds a trail that native Americans traveled along after being forcefully removed from their native grounds. This is one of the major attraction points in the state park, offering cultural significance too.
This area is also considered a s historic cemetery of naïve Americas.
In the park territory, you can enjoy hiking and camping. Metal detection is also allowed in designated areas, but you need a valid permit to detect metal. You will be able to find common stuff like coins and lost items, and if you are lucky, you will sometimes be able to uncover some artifacts belonging to the native Americans who previously lived here.
12. Wakonda State Park
Wakonda State Park is located in Lewis County near La Grange City. This was declared as a state park in 1955.
This state park surrounds the 360-acre Wakonda Lake and the neighboring woodlands and wetlands. This park offers ample freedom for water-based outdoor activities.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park. You can find coins, lost jewelry, personal items, and camping equipment from the park.
13. Watkins Woolen Mill State Park
Watkins Woolen Mill State Park is located in Clay County. This was established in 1964.
People visit the park to see the Watkins Woolen Mill’s beauty, which provides insights into mid-19th-century industrial history and technology.
Picnicking and fishing are allowed in the park, and you can enjoy the guided tours, too.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park, and you need a permit to engage in metal detecting activities. I was able to find some coins from the state park.
Read to know the Best Ghost Towns in Missouri to Metal Detect!
That’s it folks! Now you know all the best state parks in Missouri to metal detect with the historical values of each place and how that is important to us as metal detectorists.
Now I’m going to share with you several tips that I’ve learned while metal detecting in Missouri state parks which helps me to find awesome treasures and to avoid any issues regarding to permissions.
Some of the below tips were collected from local expert detectorists that I interviewed based on their stories.
So, just keep reading!
Tips For Successful Metal Detecting in Missouri State Parks
These are all the state parks that you can visit and metal detect in the state of Missouri.
Now, let’s see some tips and tricks I used to successfully detect metal in Missouri.
- Make sure that you research well before going to a place.
- Have the metal detector that is best known to you in terms of adjusting the settings.
- Use a slow, steady movement.
- Always respect the rules and laws of the state park
- Join a metal detecting club in Missouri and engage with the audience to learn more about treasure hunting in state parks.
Missouri’s state parks cover over 200,000 acres of land ripe for exploration with a metal detector.
www.visitmo.com
So, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to metal detect in Missouri state parks?
Yes, a permit is generally required for metal detecting in Missouri state parks, and it’s essential to check with the specific park for any unique requirements or restrictions.
Are there any areas off-limits for metal detecting within Missouri state parks?
Sensitive areas such as archaeological sites, historical landmarks, and nature preserves within Missouri state parks are typically off-limits for metal detecting to preserve their integrity.
Can I keep what I find when metal detecting in Missouri state parks?
While you may be allowed to keep some finds, items considered historical or archaeological artifacts must usually be reported and may be claimed by the state.
How do I apply for a metal detecting permit for Missouri state parks?
You can apply for a metal detecting permit by contacting the Missouri State Parks department or visiting the park office of the specific state park you wish to explore.
Are there any specific rules for metal detecting in Missouri state parks?
Yes, there are specific rules, such as digging limitations, hours for metal detecting, and the requirement to fill any holes you dig, to minimize the impact on the park environment.
Is there a best time of year to metal detect in Missouri state parks?
The best time is typically in the spring or fall when the ground is softer, and foliage is less dense, making it easier to search and dig.
Can I rent metal detecting equipment at Missouri state parks?
Equipment rental availability varies by park, so it’s best to contact the park directly or check their website for information on equipment rentals.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about: Best State Parks in Missouri to Metal Detect
In this article, I deeply discussed the best state parks in Missouri to metal detect with the treasures you can find including the metal detecting hours.
The best state parks in Missouri for metal detecting are Battle of Athens, Watkins Woolen Mill, and Big Lake State Park, known for their historical finds and metal detecting opportunities. Always obtain a permit and adhere to park rules to preserve these rich cultural sites.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions.
I hope I covered all you wanted to know about the best state parks in Missouri for metal detecting.
So, let’s ready your backpack and companion metal detector and go for treasure hunting in beautiful Missouri state parks. Don’t forget the permit!
