Metal detecting clubs are popular all over the world, and the US is not an exception, because it is always more fun to join the group of like-minded people in your area rather than wandering around with a metal detector all alone.
Clubs are definitely more fun, one can travel to remote and deserted locations with people from the club instead of doing that alone, or trying to convince their family to go in case they are not very supportive of the hobby.
Moreover, beginner treasure hunters can learn a lot from more experienced colleagues, ask for help or advice, or even borrow a metal detector or other equipment for a test drive.
So, if you have ever asked yourself what are metal detecting clubs near me, in the list below you can check that out. Also, we can recommend you check out the metal detecting laws by states page before start metal detecting somewhere.
Clubs in Alabama
Alabama is a good place for metal detectorists, since there is a healthy choice of metal detecting clubs:
- Alabama Gold Camp
- Central Alabama Artifacts Society
- G.P.A.A. North Alabama Chapter
- Madison County Coin Club
- North Alabama Coin and Relic Recovery Club
- Rocket City Relic Hunters
- South Alabama Historical Research & Recovery
- Southeast Treasure Hunters
- Tri-State Coin & Relic Hunters Club
- Warrior Basin Treasure Hunters Association
Clubs in Alaska
Alaska is one of the most metal detecting friendly states, but the detecting conditions are harsh there. Moreover, some serious mining is often needed, especially for gold prospecting. The local clubs include:
- Alaska Treasure Seekers Society
- AK Gold Prospectors
- APAA-Interior Alaska
Clubs in Arizona
Arizona is especially rich in metal detecting clubs, so local treasure hunters really have a wide array of organizations to join:
- Arizona Association of Gold Prospectors, Inc.
- Arizona Treasures Unlimited, Inc.
- Desert Gold Diggers
- Detectors Unlimited Inc.
- Havasu Gold Seekers
- Huachuca Prospectors Association
- Quartzsite Metal Detecting Club
- Roadrunner Prospector’s Club
- Superstition West Treasure Hunters
- Superstition Mountain Treasure Hunters
- The Meteorite Men
Clubs in Arkansas
- Arkansas Treasure Hunters Club
- Tri-State Historical Research & Recovery Association
- Central Arkansas Treasure Seekers
- Arkoma Coin & Relic Club
Clubs in California
California has an insane number of clubs and societies, despite the fact that free detecting is actually allowed only on salt water beaches. Local rules are somewhat tricky, but like-minded folks from the clubs will tell you more:
- 1st Class Miners, Inc
- Bay Area Searchers
- California Wreck Divers
- Central Coast Treasure Hunters Association
- Coinshooters of San Diego
- Delta Gold Diggers
- Gold Coast Treasure Hunters Club
- Mother Lode Goldhounds
- Mt. Diablo Metal Detecting Club
- Prospector’s Club of So. California
- Riverside Treasure Hunters Club
- Sacramento Valley Detecting Buffs
- Treasure Hunters Society of Santa Clara Valley
- Treasure Seekers of San Diego
- West Coast Prospectors & Treasure Hunters United Prospectors
Clubs in Delaware
Clubs in Florida
There are many Florida metal detecting clubs, since in this state the hobby is especially popular:
- Central Florida Metal Detecting Club
- Historical Recovery Association of North Florida
- Ocala Metal Detecting Club
- Palmetto Relic Hunters Club
- South Florida Treasure Hunting Club
- Suncoast Research & Recovery Club
- Tampa Bay Fossil Club
- The Villages Treasure Hunters Club
- Treasure Coast Archeological Society
- West State Archeological Society Inc.
Clubs in Georgia
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
In some states, metal detecting for recreational purposes is technically prohibited, or tons of permissions by state authorities and\or local authorities are needed. However, metal detecting clubs may still exist, and in fact, members can travel to other states where the hobby is allowed.
Clubs in Hawaii
In Hawaii, hobby detecting is allowed on sandy beaches, but other locations are not welcomed for digging, especially any archaeological sites and aboriginal grounds.
Clubs in Illinois
- East Central Indiana Treasure Hunters
- Illinois Valley Historical Research & Recovery Association
- Peoria Area Treasure Hunters (PATH)
- Sage City Hunters Relic Club
- Will County Historical Research & Recovery Association
- Midwest Historical Research Society
- Great Lakes Historical Recovery
- Springfield/Woodbridge Detectors Club (John Underwood, 8345 Orange Ct Alexandria, VA 22309 703-670-2207)
- McLean County Nuggettier Metal Detecting Club (First of America Bank, corner of College Ave. and Towanda Ave.)
Clubs in Iowa
Iowa has curious detecting rules. From May 22 to September 27, detecting is allowed from 4 am to 11 am. During the rest of the year, detecting is allowed from 4 am to 10:30 pm daily. Digging on restricted hours, or without permit, is prohibited.
Clubs in Kentucky
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
Practically, hobby detecting is allowed on private lands with permit from the land owner.
Clubs in Louisiana
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
The laws state that metal detecting for recreational purposes is not allowed, but there is a healthy amount of clubs here:
Clubs in Maine
Clubs in Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Treasure Hunting Association
- Gateway Treasure Hunters Club
- Silver City Treasure Seekers
- W.C.H.T. – Worcester County Treasure Hunters (Mike Chouinard, 43 Lakeside Ave Clinton, MA 01510 978-365-3605 officer114@aol.com)
- Massachusetts Organization for Research & Recovery
Clubs in Michigan
- Great Lakes Metal Detecting
- Michigan Gold Prospectors
- Mid Michigan Metal Detecting Club
- Michigan Treasure Hunters
- Northeast Huron Detectors Club (Bill Pinson, n/a Alpena, MI 49707 bpinson@nemichigan.com)
- Yooper Coinshooters Metal Detecting Club
Clubs in Minnesota
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
Clubs in Montana
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
In Montana, topsoil disturbance for recreational and hobby purposes is prohibited. However, this law seems to work only for public lands like parks etc.
Clubs in Nebraska
Clubs in New Mexico
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
Tribal lands or tribal burial grounds are strictly prohibited. For other locations, many permits are necessary. Perhaps official clubs have less issues with acquiring these permits for their members than lone detectorists.
Clubs in New York
A paradise for metal detectorists, but one has to double-check local rules for every location with local authorities.
Clubs in North Dakota
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
North Dakota seems to be really serious about its legal prohibition. The only non-industrial detecting possible is the one to find lost personal items, but special permission is necessary.
Clubs in Ohio
- Black Swamp Metal Detecting Club
- Butler County Silver Diggers
- Cincinnati Dry Dredgers
- Dayton Diggers
- North Coast Fossil Club
- Ohio Detectorist Association (ODA)
- Ohio Metal Detecting
- The Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors
- Tri-County Metal Detecting Club
- Tri-State Historical Research & Recovery Association
Clubs in Pennsylvania
- Beaver County Detecting Club
- Black Diamond Treasure Hunting Club
- Central Pennsylvania Rock and Mineral Club, Inc.
- Lancaster Research & Recovery Club
- Laurel Highland Searchers
- Penn Mar Historical Recovery Association
- Southeastern Pennsylvania Historical Recovery Group
- Susquehanna Metal Detecting Club
Clubs in Rhode Island
Clubs in Tennessee
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
According to the law, free detecting is allowed only on swimming beaches. However, there is a healthy number of clubs:
Clubs in Texas
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
Most lands in Texas are privately owned, so technically there is little freedom for hobby detecting. However, it is possible on private lands with the owner’s permission.
- Amarillo Prospectors & Treasure Hunters Association
- Austin Metal Detecting Club
- East Texas Treasure Hunters Association
- Fannin Artifact Recovery Organization
- Houston Archeological Recovery Club (HARC)
- Lone Star Treasure Hunters Club
- Montgomery County Artifacts Recovery Club
- Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs
- Tomball Archeological Recovery Club
Clubs in West Virginia
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
According to the local law, metal detecting is not illegal as it is, however, disturbance and removal of objects by non-official persons is prohibited. But perhaps there are nuances that local club members can explain.
Clubs in Wyoming
Hobby metal detecting is technically prohibited.
Metal detecting seems to be allowed only to find a lost personal item. However, the situation with gold prospecting may be different, considering the clubs:
