Ever wondered how lost treasures lie hidden in Wisconsin’s state parks? Grab your metal detector, and let’s start the searching together!
Until 2010, I didn’t know about Wisconsin’s potential in metal detectors course. Then, one of my friends opened my eyes to the possible opportunities in Wisconsin for metal detecting.
As soon as I heard about these opportunities, I eagerly awaited to visit Wisconsin for several metal detecting trips.
As my friend said, there are many places to metal detect in Wisconsin, from state parks to national forests to ghost towns, you name it, most probably Wisconsin has it.
Among this area, I was so much attracted to the state parks in Wisconsin because, until then, metal detecting in these lands was prohibited.
This made it easier and far more beneficial for us to use metal detectors and I’ve visited lots of state parks based on the suggestions of local expert detectorists in Wisconsin.
Based on my experience and the information I gathered from locals, let me share with you the most metal-detecting friendly state parks in Wisconsin which are great for treasure hunters.
So, here are the best state parks in Wisconsin to metal detect,
- Brunet Island State Park
- Governor Nelson State Park
- Governor Thompson State Park
- Harrington Beach State Park
- Hartman Creek State Park
- Lakeshore State Park
- Newport State Park
- Perrot State Park
- Richard Bong State Park
- Interstate State Park
- Wyalusing State Park
- Yellowstone Lake State Park
But that’s just a quick snapshot of teh question!
So, in this article, I’ll explore the best state parks in Wisconsin to metal detect separately with some tips and tricks I used in Wisconsin state parks to get the best from the emerald detecting session.
I plan to talk about the potential laws and regulations prevailing in the state regarding metal detecting and, most importantly, laws that affect metal detecting in state parks.
Suppose you are interested in metal detecting in Wisconsin or planning to visit Wisconsin for metal detecting.
In that case, I suggest you hang around until the end because this will be your one-stop guide before commencing metal detecting activities in Wisconsin.
So, without further do, let’s jump straight in!
Can You Metal Detect In Wisconsin State Parks?
Yes, you can metal detect in Wisconsin state parks, but there is a far stricter process than the other states in the USA towards metal detecting in Wisconsin.
Suppose you are a metal detector planning to visit Wisconsin. In that case, you should read about the state’s laws and regulations about metal detecting.
Here is a brief breakdown of the state’s rules and laws regarding metal detecting.
The law clearly states that you can only detect metal in DNR Lands.
DNR lands are lands that belong to the Department of Natural Resources. As most of the state parks, all the state parks in the list fall under this category, you are safe to metal detect in these lands.
Then, in the next few sentences, the law states that you can only metal detect your lost items in the land. So you can only metal detect to find lost stuff; these must be yours too.
You have to get a permit, which is available on the official website of the Department of Natural Resources under the Wisconsin branch, and you have to fill it out before going to metal detect in any of these lands.
You can learn more details about what you can and cannot do in the permission slip.
Even though metal detecting is allowed in Wisconsin, their rules and regulations are far stricter than in other states.
So, you must ensure you will adhere to these rules and regulations and obey them at every cost.
Best State Parks In Wisconsin To Metal Detect
So, let’s discuss the best state parks you can visit in Wisconsin for metal detecting. Make sure to get permission from state park authorities before any metal detecting session.
Better to have the permit with you all the time.
Let’s dig in!
1. Brunet Island State Park
Brunet Island State Park is located in Cornell in Chippewa County. This was Established as a state park in the year of 1937.
Through the state park, the Chippewa River is flowing through.
This river is the major attraction in the state park, and many people visit every year to see the beauty of this river and engage in various water-based outdoor activities based on the river.
Activities allowed in the park are hiking, camping, swimming, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
Out of multiple things you can detect in the park, coins, jewelry, and camping items are top of the list.
Check out the Best Places to Metal Detect in Wisconsin!
2. Governor Nelson State Park
Governor Nelson State Park is located in Waunakee in Dane County. This was declared as a state park in 1935.
This state park consists of the beautiful stretch of Lake Mendota shoreline and the surrounding woodlands.
People visit the state park to enjoy the views of the lake and the woodlands beyond and enjoy some outdoor activities.
Among the things allowed in the park, visitors’ favorites are hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
You can find coins, jewelry, and some camping items from metal detecting in Governor Nelson State Park.
3. Governor Thompson State Park
Governor Thompson State Park is in the Crivitz area in the Marinette County. This was declared a state park recently in the year of 2000.
The beautiful Peshtigo River runs through the state park, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy water sports and water-based outdoor activities based on the river.
Other than that, there are beautiful woodland beyond the river that belongs to the territory of the state park.
Most people enjoy swimming and fishing in the river. Hiking, camping, and metal detecting are also allowed in the park.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
4. Harrington Beach State Park
Harrington Beach State Park is located in Belgium, Ozaukee OCunty. This was declared as a state park in 1925.
This beach offers nice scenic views of Lake Michigan while preserving its shores. People can enjoy different water-based activities on the beach and hiking in the nearby woodlands.
Among the activities allowed in the park, camping, swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking are the people’s favorites.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
I found some coins and jewelry items from the beach while metal detecting.
Read to know the Best Beaches in Wisconsin to Metal Detect!
5. Hartman Creek State Park
Hartman Creek State Park is located in the Waupaca region in Waupaca County. This was declared as a state park in 1966.
This state park is famously known for its Chain O’Lakes, interconnected kettle lakes offering visitors nice aquatic habitats and scenic views.
People often visit the state park to witness this miracle of nature and enjoy water-based outdoor activities.
Fishing, boating, hiking, and camping are allowed in the park. Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
I found some coins, lost personal items from previous visitors, and some fishing equipment by metal detecting the area.
6. Lakeshore State Park
Lakeshore State Park is located in Milwaukee County near the Milwaukee region. This was established as a state park in 1992.
This state park offers people an urbanic nature setting along Lake Michigan, with people enjoying the views of nature and the entire city from the same spot.
Other than these, birdwatching, camping, and biking, are allowed inside the park.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
7. Newport State Park
Newport State Park is located in Ellison Bay in Door OCunty. This was declared as a state park in 1964.
This is one of the most protected and untouched wilderness areas in Wisconsin. This offers nice scenic views of the wilderness and its flora and fauna.
People often visit this park to enjoy stargazing and the miles-long hiking trails in the state park.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
You will be able to find stuff like coins and some lost possessions by the previous visitors from this setting.
8. Perrot State Park
Perrot State Park is located in Trempealeau in Trempealeau County. This was established as a state park way back in 1918.
This is situated between the Mississippi and Trempealeau Rivers, offering the visitors the experience of both rivers.
There is abundant wildlife in the park, including many migratory birds, attracting birdwatchers from all over the country.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
9. Richard Bong State Park
Richard Bong State Park is located in Kansasville, Kenosha County. This was declared as a state park in 1974.
This state park includes various natural elements like woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and abundant wildlife to accompany these diverse habitats.
Most people visit the park to enjoy the nice scenic views of migratory and endemic birds within the park.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
10. Interstate State Park
Interstate State Park is located in St. Croix Falls in Polk County. This was declared a state park in 1900, making it the oldest state park in the state.
People often visit this state park to witness the glacial potholes the St. Croix River created. Also, people can enjoy rock climbing and hiking on the Dalles of St. Croix.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
11. Wyalusing State Park
Wyalusing State Park is located in the Bagley region in Grant County. This was declared as a state park in 1917.
The Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers run through the state park, offering scenic and tranquil views to the visitors. Apart from that, there are hiking trails that visitors enjoy walking in.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
12. Yellowstone Lake State Park
Yellowstone Lake Park is situated in Blanchardville in Lafayette County. This was established in the year 1949.
The state park consists of a large artificial lake providing habitat for abundant wildlife and as a hub for water-based recreation in the state.
Metal detecting is also allowed in the park only for locating specific lost personal items.
That’s it folks! As you can see even the best state parks in Wisconsin to metal detect only allow metal detecting for locating specific lost personal items. So, keep that in mind before visiting them.
Now I’m going to share with you several tips that I’ve learned while metal detecting lost items in Wisconsin state parks.
The below tips will help you to get the permission easily and to avoid any troubles that might occur upon metal detecting.
Some of the below tips were collected from local expert detectorists.
So, just keep reading!
Tips For Successful Metal Detecting In Wisconsin State Parks
So these are all about the state parks in Wisconsin and the hotspots in each park that you should look into.
Even though you have searched in these hotspots, I’ve mentioned you might still not find something as valuable as you think.
This might be because you are doing something wrong. Over these 12 years of metal detecting, I have gained some handy tips and tricks that have been helpful for me in every way imaginable.
Let me share those with you so that you can have the maximum out of any metal-detecting situation you are thrown into.
Research
Research is the most important part of any metal-detecting process. Without research, you will wander around without knowing what to or where to metal detect.
You have to conduct thorough research about the place you are going to metal detect, what the possible things you can find in that area, what the laws are in the selected area, and what the possible settings you have to adjust in the selected area.
If you know all these things, detecting metal in any selected area will be easy.
By knowing everything, you have many more benefits besides the ease of work, like saving time, covering more area in a given period, and saving energy and money.
If you’re interested in learning more about metal detecting in state parks, better to join a metal detecting club in Wisconsin and engage with experts to learn from their experiences.
Metal Detector Adjustments
The next important thing while metal detecting is the metal detector adjustments. If you are someone who has been in the metal detecting game for a while, you might know what these are.
For those who don’t know, metal detecting adjustments are specific settings that can be adjusted in your metal detector to best suit the environment you are metal detecting in.
The metal detector hand guide explains most of these settings in detail.
After determining the adjustments you need to make in your metal detector according to the area you are going to metal detect in, see whether your metal detector can give those set standards.
If not, you may have to change the location or rent a metal detector for the day.
Technique
When metal detecting, you should have a technique that is easy for you and proven to give results. You should develop a good technique if you are new to the metal-detecting game.
Until you find one that suits you, don’t hesitate to change your meal detect and techniques.
Check out the Best Metal Detecting Finds in Wisconsin!
Wisconsin’s Devil’s Lake State Park, one of the oldest in the state, attracts 2.6 million of visitors annually.
www.devilslakewisconsin.com
So, let’s answer frequently asked questions.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to metal detect in Wisconsin state parks?
Yes, a permit is typically required to metal detect in Wisconsin state parks, and it is crucial to check with the specific park’s management or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding permits and regulations.
Are there any restricted areas within the state parks where metal detecting is not allowed?
Yes, there are restricted areas within state parks where metal detecting is not allowed, including designated archaeological sites, burial grounds, and other sensitive areas, to protect Wisconsin’s cultural and natural resources.
Can I keep the items I find while metal detecting in Wisconsin state parks?
The ability to keep items found while metal detecting in Wisconsin state parks depends on the nature of the item and the specific regulations of the park; some items may be considered state property and must be reported and turned over to park authorities.
What is the best time of year to go metal detecting in Wisconsin state parks?
The best time of year for metal detecting in Wisconsin state parks is during the spring, summer, and early fall when the ground is more accessible, although the specific optimal time may vary depending on the park’s location and climate.
What equipment do I need for metal detecting in Wisconsin state parks?
For metal detecting in Wisconsin state parks, you will need a metal detector, headphones, a digging tool, gloves, and a pouch or container to hold any items you may find, along with any other personal gear to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
Can I metal detect on the beaches of Wisconsin state parks?
Metal detecting is allowed on some beaches of Wisconsin state parks, but it is essential to check with the specific park’s management or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for any restrictions or guidelines.
Is there a community or online forum where I can connect with other metal detecting enthusiasts in Wisconsin?
Yes, there are online forums and social media groups where metal detecting enthusiasts in Wisconsin can connect, share experiences, and seek advice from the community.
Did I cover al you wanted to know about: Best State Parks In Wisconsin To Metal Detect
In this article, I deeply discussed the best state parks in Wisconsin to metal detect with their rules, how to get a permit, and what policies you need to follow.
Furthermore, I’ve answered some frequently asked questions as well.
The best state parks in Wisconsin for metal detecting include Big Bay State Park, Perrot State Park, and Kohler-Andrae State Park, offering diverse landscapes and historical sites. Ensure you acquire the necessary permits and adhere to park regulations to protect Wisconsin’s cultural and natural resources while metal detecting.
So, we have concluded the article about the best state parks in Wisconsin for metal detecting including experts’ tips and techniques.
Wisconsin is one of the states with much more rules regarding metal detecting than other states, so if you plan to metal detect in Wisconsin, I again suggest you thoroughly go through the state laws before starting metal detecting.
I hope I covered everything you wanted about Wisconsin’s best site parks for metal detectors.
Now it’s time for you to do the research and educate the community about metal detecting in Wisconsin state parks!
