19 Best Metal Detecting Places You Can Check Out

Metal detecting is the process of finding and recovering metallic objects buried underground, such as silver coins, relics, and even gold. It can be a fun and rewarding hobby for people of all ages, and there are a number of reasons why people enjoy it so much. Some people love the challenge of finding rare and valuable items, while others enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that comes from recovering lost treasures. Whatever your reason for metal detecting, these 19 areas are a great place to start. If you are new to the metal detecting hobby and also in search of a metal detector that will be the best for the money and your needs go check out the article on Metal Pursuits's site.

The Best Places to Go Metal Detecting

Metal detecting can be a fun and rewarding hobby that can take you to some interesting places. If you're looking for some great spots to start metal detecting, here is the list of a few potential ideas:

1. Beaches and swimming spots. The shoreline is a great location to find treasures, especially if the beach has a lot of sand. Make sure to check both the water and the sand for any metal objects. Rings take first place among the most lost things.
2. Parks. Local parks are a great spot to look for coins, jewelry, and other treasures. Be sure to explore all the nooks and crannies in the park, and don't forget to check the bushes and trees. There are some metal pieces that show up only in parks and playgrounds: swing sets and jungle gyms looking rusty and old. If you find very old parks in your neighborhood, they might be worth checking out.
3. Scouts campgrounds. There are usually a lot of metal objects from the scouts camping there along with nails and other metals from building the fire pits. Scout camps are not generally public camping sites, so permission must be given by the landowner before searching.
4. Antique Shops. More experienced metal detectorists might want to check out antique shops in their neighborhood or town. Just make sure to ask permission before you walk around the shop. If an antique dealer is willing to allow it, they may even be able to give you some tips on where to find great treasure.
5. Golf Courses. Metal detectors can sometimes pick up the metal pieces and nails that hold the golf course together. Just remember to ask for permission before you begin searching at a public or private golf course.
6. Beach Volleyball Courts. Many beach volleyball courts have drains underneath them to keep them dry during the beach volleyball games. If you're lucky, there is a big chance that these drains might lead you to some great valuables.
7. Abandoned Mines. People have been searching for gold and other valuable minerals in abandoned mines long before metal detectors. If you're lucky, you might be able to search some of these mines yourself and find some great treasure.
8. Old Vaudeville Theaters. Many old theaters hold a huge amount of history, which is why they're featured on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of these theaters have become abandoned or out-of-business because of economic changes over the years, so there might be some great treasure just waiting to be uncovered!
9. Old Train Stations. Trains used to serve as the primary mode of transportation for people before times when cars came along. If you know of any train stations that are no longer being used or visited by people, this is a great opportunity for you to find something valuable or stumble across some hidden treasure while metal detecting through them.
10. Amusement Parks (Discretion is Advised). These places may look fun and games now, but they were actually built on top of former burial sites. I'm not saying there are ghosts around every corner but if you hear eerie music playing out of nowhere, it probably came from an area where someone used to play music for people at the park back in the day! So if you're brave and want to try your luck with an area like this, bring a good metal detector and flashlight!
11. Old Resorts in Destinations like The Catskills or Cape Cod. These locations were very popular summer vacation spots for families in the early 20th century, but they've since fallen out of favor because of better transportation options (like cars) and people's preferences to travel to warmer climates during the summer months instead. So there might be some great metal objects at these old resorts that can help you find your way into some rich history.
12. Old Military Forts or Airfields from WWII or earlier. As I said before, lots of metal used to go into building forts. If you're lucky, maybe even an airplane might have crashed there! Just make sure you know who owns the property before starting to metal detect. You don't want to get in trouble for trespassing!
13. Old Race Tracks. These places usually have lots of seats and grandstands, so it makes sense that there might be a lot of metal pieces from all the fans who used to come to cheer at horse races or car races at these tracks.
14. Old Fire Department Buildings. Just like old police stations and train stations, old fire department buildings used to hold the fire equipment that helped save lives. And of course, any of these pieces might have some great metal objects inside!
15. Old Mines. There are still a lot of abandoned mines out there in the United States and other countries, but it's important to be very careful if you suggest visiting one of them when metal detecting because many old mines can be found near or on unstable land due to cave-ins over the years. So just make sure you know what you're getting into before thinking about exploring an old mine… and bring a friend!
16. Farmhouses. Many farm houses don't have basements, so this may be your only way to access one without digging up your entire yard in order to get in! Plus farmhouses are often made of very solid wood, so you might find some great metal objects there. Just make sure to ask the owners before you start investigating!
17. Abandoned Or Forgotten Buildings. You may not know about these places unless you've done a lot of research beforehand, but there are actually tons of small buildings or even towns that were once part of our history that have been forgotten over time! So if you're feeling adventurous and want to explore some abandoned homes for treasure, this is the perfect way to get started with exploring new territory! Just make sure you are safe, take precautions for your own safety, and try to gain permission before you start digging around!
18. Civil War Battlefields. The Civil War was very bloody, so it's no surprise that many people were killed during this time period - both soldiers fighting in the war and citizens living nearby who were caught in the crossfire. So if you have a metal detector and want to go the extra mile to learn more about this part of U.S. history, a trip out to a Civil War battlefield grounds might help you do just that! Just make sure to get permission from the property owners before going - otherwise, you're trespassing!
19. Old Churches or Synagogues. These are some of the top places for metal detecting because there are often very valuable objects just lying on the ground for anyone to find! So if you're looking for a great way to explore history, you might want to try metal detecting at old churches or synagogues. You never know what kind of interesting objects you'll dig up!

There you have it - 19 great places to start metal detecting! So good luck out there on your next treasure hunt adventure - hopefully these places will provide lots of valuable finds for you! Or even better - who knows what kinds of amazing objects you might uncover out there? Just make sure you do your research beforehand, get permission from the property owners if necessary, and be safe while you're out there looking for treasure! Good luck out there on your new metal detecting adventures!