Metal Detecting at Fort De Soto Park, Florida
ALLOWED
No permit required
Key Conditions
- Beaches only: Pinellas County Code § 90-7(p) prohibits metal detectors in county parks "except on beaches in parks"
- No permit, registration or check-in; the county's park rules list no detecting permit
- All dug holes must be filled (Pinellas County park rules)
- The fort, trails, picnic areas and campground are off-limits to detectors, and posted bird- and turtle-nesting areas must be avoided
- Historic artifacts abandoned on state-owned land, which on the beach generally means below the mean high-water line, belong to the state (Fla. Stat. § 267.061); removing them without a DHR permit is a crime (§ 267.13)
Pinellas County's rule for its parks fits in one line of code: "The use of metal detectors is prohibited except on beaches in parks" (§ 90-7(p)). At Fort De Soto that makes the beaches open and everything behind them closed. You can detect North Beach, East Beach and the rest of the park's sand without a permit, and you can't carry a working detector onto the fort grounds, the trails, the picnic areas or the campground. The county's published park rules add the other half: "All Dug Holes Must Be Filled."
That's simpler than this page used to say. An earlier version described a free permit from the ranger station, a 6-inch digging limit and a rule that all finds be handed to park staff. None of those appear in the county code or its published park rules, so they're gone. What does still apply is state law at the waterline. Below mean high water you're on state sovereignty land, where historic artifacts belong to the state (see our Florida antiquities guide). For a no-fee city beach nearby, St. Pete Beach is 10 miles north.
Fort De Soto at a glance
No
Permit required?
Beaches only
Where detecting is allowed
Must be filled
Holes
$6
Parking
7 a.m.–sunset
Hours
The fort is not beach
Fort De Soto's batteries were built from 1898 to guard the mouth of Tampa Bay, and the Fort De Soto Batteries were listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 1977. The fort grounds are county park land but not beach, so § 90-7(p) bans detectors there outright. Walk past it to the sand with the detector off. The one piece of the fort that is on the beach is Battery Bigelow: erosion undermined it and it fell into the surf. Anything historic in that surf zone is below mean high water, on state land, and belongs to the state under Fla. Stat. § 267.061.
- Metal detectors are prohibited in county parks except on beaches (Code § 90-7(p)).
- All dug holes must be filled (county park rules).
- Park open 7 a.m. to sunset; $6 parking.
- The county may limit any activity in an area it considers unable to support it (§ 90-7).
- Violations can be enforced by law enforcement and authorized county staff (§ 90-13).
Source: Pinellas County Code Chapter 90; Pinellas County park rules
Detecting Fort De Soto through the year
Winter (Nov–Feb)
GoodNo turtle-nesting constraints and the fewest swimmers. Cold fronts push Gulf sand around on North Beach. Sunset comes early, so plan morning sessions from the 7 a.m. opening.
Spring (Mar–Apr)
GoodSpring-break crowds drop the most modern losses of the year on the swim beaches. Watch for posted bird-nesting areas starting to go up.
Summer (May–Aug)
FairTurtle nesting season runs May 1 to October 31 in Pinellas. Detect after 7 a.m. opening, stay clear of staked nests, and expect heat and afternoon lightning.
Fall (Sep–Oct)
FairTropical systems can strip East Beach and North Beach. Nesting season is still on until October 31, and storm damage can close sections of beach.
Fort De Soto vs. other Pinellas detecting options
| Location | Manager | Permit? | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort De Soto Park | Pinellas County | No | Beaches only | Fort and grounds off-limits; fill holes; $6 parking |
| Sand Key Park | Pinellas County | No | Beach only | Same county rule, § 90-7(p) |
| St. Pete Beach | City of St. Pete Beach | No | Public beach | City rules; Pass-A-Grille end has older history |
| Clearwater Beach | City of Clearwater | No | Public beach | City rules; high modern-loss volume |
| Caladesi Island SP | Florida State Parks | No | Designated beach areas only | Ferry access; anything over 50 years old can't be kept |
County rules from Pinellas County Code § 90-7 and the county's published park rules; checked 2026-09-28.
What to bring
- RequiredMulti-frequency or PI detector— Gulf saltwater sand trips up single-frequency VLF machines; an Equinox 800/900 or a PI like the Excalibur II handles it.
- RequiredLong-handled stainless scoop— For wet sand and the wading zone at North Beach and East Beach, and for refilling holes fast.
- OptionalPinpointer— Smaller holes are quicker to fill, which the county requires.
- OptionalInsect repellent— No-see-ums are heavy at dawn and dusk in the warm months.
Who Sets the Rules Here
- CountyPinellas County Code Chapter 90, § 90-7(p) and Pinellas County park rules
The whole park: detectors allowed only on beaches; holes must be filled
- StateFlorida Statutes §§ 267.061 and 267.13
Historic artifacts on state-owned land — here, sovereignty land below the mean high-water line; the county-owned park above it is governed by county rules
- StateFla. Stat. § 379.2431 (marine turtle protection)
Sea turtle nests on the park's Gulf beaches, May 1 – October 31
Permits & Licenses
| Permit | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beach metal detecting | No | No permit. Pinellas County's code and published park rules allow detectors on park beaches and nowhere else in the park. Earlier versions of this page described a free ranger-station permit and a rule that finds be surrendered; neither appears in the county code or park rules. |
| Parking | Yes | Paid by mobile app, pay-by-text, parking terminal or a Pinellas County parks annual pass. Park open 7 a.m. to sunset. |
Time & Seasonal Restrictions
- Detectors on the beaches only; prohibited everywhere else in the park (§ 90-7(p)), including the batteries and fort grounds, trails, picnic areas, the campground and parking areas
- Fill every hole you dig (Pinellas County park rules)
- Park hours 7 a.m. to sunset; no after-hours beach access
- Sea turtle nesting season (Pinellas County): May 1 – October 31. Stay clear of staked nests
- Stay out of posted bird-nesting areas on the beaches
- The county may limit any activity in an area it considers unable to support it (§ 90-7), so follow posted closures and staff direction
Equipment Notes
- Multi-frequency or PI detector for Gulf saltwater sand
- Long-handled stainless sand scoop for wet sand and the wading zone
- Something to fill holes quickly; filling them is a county rule, not etiquette
- Insect repellent for dawn and dusk sessions; no-see-ums are heavy in warm months
What People Find Here
- Modern jewelry, coins and keys lost by swimmers at North Beach and East Beach, the park's two swim beaches
- Concrete rubble from Battery Bigelow, which eroded into the surf; any associated historic material below the high-water line belongs to the state
- Occasional older coins and fasteners; anything that looks historic should be left in place and reported to DHR
Penalties for Violations
← Scroll to see all columns
| Violation | Statute | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Using a metal detector anywhere in the park other than a beach, or leaving holes unfilled | Pinellas County Code § 90-7; Fla. Stat. § 125.69 | County ordinance violation, prosecuted like a misdemeanor: fine up to $500 and/or up to 60 days in county jail; enforceable by law enforcement and authorized county staff (§ 90-13) |
| Removing or disturbing an archaeological site or specimen on land owned or controlled by the state (including sovereignty land below mean high water) without a DHR permit | Fla. Stat. § 267.13 | First-degree misdemeanor if removed without digging (up to 1 year and $1,000); third-degree felony if excavated (up to 5 years and $5,000); all finds forfeited to the state and restitution may be ordered |
| Disturbing a sea turtle nest | Fla. Stat. § 379.2431(1)(e); 16 U.S.C. § 1540 | Third-degree felony under state law; federal ESA penalties up to $25,000 civil and $50,000 and 1 year criminal (statutory figures) |
Etiquette & Leave No Trace
- Fill every hole, including shallow ones in the wet sand
- Keep the detector off the fort grounds entirely; walking to the beach past the batteries is fine, swinging it there is not
- Give swimmers room at North Beach and East Beach in season; the early morning is better anyway
- Stay clear of staked turtle nests and posted bird areas
- Pack out the trash you dig up
Nearby Alternatives
← Scroll to see all columns
| Site | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| St. Pete Beach | 10 mi | City beach, no permit; 10 miles north, with the historic Pass-A-Grille end |
| Clearwater Beach | 28 mi | City beach, no permit, high find volume near Pier 60; most-visited Gulf beach in Pinellas County |
| Caladesi Island State Park | 22 mi | State park beach; no permit on beach; ferry-only access; lower competition and more natural setting |
More Metal Detecting Sites Nearby
Distances are straight-line, not driving distance.All 39 metal detecting sites in Florida
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to metal detect at Fort De Soto Park?
No. Pinellas County Code § 90-7(p) allows metal detectors on beaches in county parks and bans them everywhere else, and the county's published park rules list no detecting permit. You do pay the $6 parking fee.
Can I metal detect near the fort at Fort De Soto?
No. The fort, Battery Laidley and the surrounding grounds are not beach, so detectors are prohibited there under § 90-7(p). Keep the detector to the sand.
Can I keep what I find at Fort De Soto?
Modern losses, yes; the county rules don't claim them. Historic artifacts found below the mean high-water line are on state sovereignty land and belong to the state under Fla. Stat. § 267.061, so leave anything that looks old, note where it was and contact the Division of Historical Resources.
Where did Battery Bigelow go?
Erosion undermined it and it collapsed into the surf, where only tumbled concrete fragments remain. It held two 3-inch rapid-fire guns. The surviving mortar battery, Battery Laidley, still has four 12-inch mortars, the last carriage-mounted 12-inch seacoast mortars in the continental U.S.
Do the same rules apply at other Pinellas County parks?
Yes. § 90-7(p) applies to every Pinellas County park: detectors on beaches, such as Sand Key Park's, and nowhere else. City beaches like Clearwater and St. Pete Beach are under city rules instead.
What are Fort De Soto's hours and fees?
The park is open 7 a.m. to sunset every day. Parking is $6, paid by app, text, parking terminal or annual pass.
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Disclaimer
Information is provided for general guidance only. Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with the official jurisdiction before relying on this information for legal decisions. Permitted Pursuits is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Report an error.
Sources
- Pinellas County — Park Rules (prohibited: "Metal Detection – Except on Beaches, All Dug Holes Must Be Filled")(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Pinellas County Code § 90-7 — Activities within county-owned or managed lands (eLaws)(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Pinellas County Code of Ordinances — Chapter 90 (Municode)(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Fla. Stat. § 125.69 — Penalties for violations of county ordinances(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Pinellas County — Fort De Soto Park (hours, parking)(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Pinellas County — Fort De Soto History / Quartermaster Museum(accessed 2026-09-28)
- National Register of Historic Places nomination — Fort De Soto Batteries (NPS)(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Fla. Stat. § 267.061 — Historic properties; state policy(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Fla. Stat. § 267.13 — Prohibited practices; penalties(accessed 2026-09-28)
- FWC — Sea turtle nesting season(accessed 2026-09-28)
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