Illinois state parks
Managed by Illinois DNR. These are statewide rules; individual parks may post stricter ones. Federal land inside Illinois follows federal rules, and drones also follow FAA rules.
Metal detecting Permit / permission needed
A metal detecting permit from the park office is required, and the park must allow detecting. Only small hand tools may be used. Detecting is prohibited at historic, archaeological and nature preserve sites.
- Permit
- Free permit at the park office.
- Sources
- dnr.illinois.gov · dnr.illinois.gov
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Drones Unclear
Unofficial sources say written permission from the site superintendent is needed. No official statewide drone rule was confirmed.
- Permit
- Ask the site superintendent.
- Sources
- dnr.illinois.gov
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official page could not be read directly
⚠️ Unclear: official sources are silent or conflicting, so we can't give a firm answer. Please check with the park directly.
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Machine-readable: /api/states/il.json