I noticed the following statement, and not intending to create an argument, it does mention this, which appears to state a trail that entered a National Park. What I stated is absolutely true, as I was a National Park Ranger. One cannot enter a park, following a trail, unless it is a sanctioned trail. I merely cite federal laws and regulations, keep out of National Parks, National Monuments and National Historic Sites. If you have a metal detector in your vehicle, including the trunk, leavee it there, do not call attention to it. Unless you want to lose your metal detector and/or be fined. I am speaking of federal regulations when I used to be a Park Ranger. Unless they have since changed that law.
BLM and National Forest are another world, and in those I would suggest you ask permission, state your intentions, and obtain written permission to do any prospecting and/or metal detecting. They will not fine you for having the metal detector in the vehicle, just some of them prohibit using a detector in those areas. Not all of them. Notice, I said "some". Again, not looking for an argument, I speak from experience. Always travel on authorized roads, walks, or authorized trails. In one place that I worked, there was a dirt trail or pathway, you were permitted to walk on it, but not permitted to step off of the trail. Each park has specific "park related" regulations. In one park where I worked, right below the visitor's center, was a lot of petrified trees and petrified wood, and no one was permitted to wander into that area, because of theft of petrified wood. In the parks where I worked, there were animal trails, that traversed the parks, but the trail ended at a fenced location. Animals leaped the fence, but humans were not permitted to cross that fence area. I metal detect myself, and am speaking to let others know, rather than let them get into trouble. Personally myself, I like to meet the people that run the park, monument, historic site, BLM, or Forest Service, introduce myself, and get the guist of what I can do and what I cannot do. That way you will stay out of trouble. The rest of what you stated, is absolutely accurate. Yes, bad manners by one, ruins it for all!!!:
"I have followed trails that took me through a National Park."
Very few of them ended in the park, and most went onto BLM or private property as they left the parks. Private property is not a problem to go across if the proper permission is asked for.
Thom
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This is for your information and welfare only. Do not ever take a metal detector into an National Park, administered by the National Park Service, under the U.S. Dept of Interior, as a former NPS ranger I will tell you, for your information only, they will seize the metal detector, and fine you also, whether you are using it or not. That is a federal law. And to wander off of the permitted trails, get written permission first, or they will fine you. You cannot remove anything from a national park, including a twig or a leaf, without getting fined. There is no private property in a National Park. BLM is a different government agency, Bureau of Land Management.
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I think if you look at what I said, You will see ..." most went onto BLM or private property as they left the parks."
If given proof of the trail you are following that enters the park the park service has no problem letting anyone walk through.
No you cannot detect don't bring one in the parks. And NEVER, dig holes or camp where not designated.
Bad manners by one ruins it for all.
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