Resource List to Help Find Locations to Metal Detect
Finding good places to metal detect starts with research. Historic maps, aerial photographs, land ownership records, LiDAR, GIS tools, newspaper archives, and old property records can help detectorists identify former homesites, parks, swimming areas, camps, roads, trails, schools, farms, resorts, and gathering places.
Recommended Resources for Metal Detecting Research
This resource list includes mapping tools, historical archives, land ownership resources, GPS apps, and research databases that can help metal detectorists find promising locations while also checking permission, ownership, and legal restrictions before detecting.
Metal Detecting Code of Ethics & Legal Reminder
Before metal detecting any location, always confirm that detecting is allowed. Check local laws, park rules, public land restrictions, private property ownership, and whether the area may be archaeologically, historically, environmentally, or culturally sensitive. When needed, contact the proper authority or obtain written permission from the landowner. Always dig clean plugs, fill holes properly, remove trash, and leave no trace.
Worldwide
United States Specific
California Specific
Connecticut Specific
Virginia Specific
Canada Specific
UK Specific
Updated 4.27.2026
Do you know of a metal detecting resource we should add to view maps, aerials, and historical data?
Or does the list need to be updated?
Joanna Jana Laznicka, a Czech-Canadian residing in Southern California, is passionate about all things associated with metal detecting. She mainly detects on the West Coast, from Southern California to Northern British Columbia. As the founder of Focus Speed, her goal is to bring quality content to metal detectorists.
Oh my goodness, what a great job you’ve done on this Joanna, I can’t wait to use some of these resources, my hats off to you.
Thank you, Chuck. I am trying to make the site as informative as I can for new and seasoned metal detectorists.
Joanna you nailed it. I tried to think of other resources and kept drawing a blank!
Mark, that says a lot coming from you. Working as had as I can making the site as informative as I can for new and advanced detectorists.
Hi, This is the most professional metal detecting sites I have found. Thanks for your hard work.
David Frazier, Wilmington N.C.
Thank you, David. It takes a lot of effort to make the content. From thinking of the topics to making a finished article that is informative. Messages like yours make my day and all the effort is worth it.
Thanks Joanna! As a newbie this is really helpful and I feel that by just this one article you saved me years of research and probably some things I would never learn since I don’t have any like minded acquaintances or friends! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with the general public!