Metal Detecting Hunts in New York
New York's calendar peaks in early October, when Long Island hosts back-to-back beach hunts: the Atlantic Treasure Club's Super Fall Treasure Hunt at Jones Beach on Saturday and the Staten Island History Hunters' Diggin' The Big Apple at Midland Beach on Sunday — an easy double-header weekend. Upstate, the Blackthorne Resort in the Catskills runs a four-day Lost Treasure Weekend each June on property dating to the mid-1700s, and the Empire State Metal Detectors Association's annual club hunt in Berne is a 55-year tradition.
Upcoming hunts in New York
Atlantic Treasure Club Super Fall Treasure Hunt
Oct 3, 2026 — Wantagh, NY · Seeded hunt · TBD
The Atlantic Treasure Club's annual Super Fall Treasure Hunt at Jones Beach (Field 6), Wantagh NY, Saturday October 3, 2026. Atlantic Treasure Club is one of Long Island's oldest metal-detecting clubs (~50 years). Hosted by Atlantic Treasure Club.
Diggin' The Big Apple Annual Open Beach Hunt
Oct 4, 2026 — Staten Island, NY · Seeded hunt · TBD
Annual open seeded beach hunt at Midland Beach, Parking Area #9, Staten Island, NY. Hosted by the Staten Island History Hunters Metal Detecting Club (est. 2007). Hosted by Staten Island History Hunters Metal Detecting Club.
Recent hunts
- ESMDA 55th Annual Club Hunt & Picnic — Sep 6, 2025, Berne, NY · Seeded hunt · hosted by Empire State Metal Detectors Association. 55th annual club hunt and picnic at Berne Town Park.
- Blackthorne Lost Treasure Weekend — Jun 11, 2026, East Durham, NY · Seeded + natural · hosted by Blackthorne Resort. 18th annual four-day metal detecting weekend at the historic Blackthorne Resort in the Catskills (348 Sunside Rd, East Durham NY 12413).
Recurring hunts to watch
The Jones Beach and Midland Beach hunts recur every fall — often the same weekend, so out-of-towners can hit both. Blackthorne's Lost Treasure Weekend returns each June (2026 was the 18th), and ESMDA's club hunt in Berne is an annual September tradition now past 55 years.
Detecting in New York: the short version
Organized hunts are the easy way in — the host has already secured land permission, and that's most of what your entry fee buys. Outside events, get landowner permission on private ground and check state and local rules for parks and beaches before digging. Seeded hunts are the friendliest start for beginners and kids; natural hunts reward experience. New to organized hunts? Start with the guide to metal detecting hunts and the FAQ.
Nearby states with listed hunts: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont. Listings come from the DigRallies directory — dates and fees are checked against the hosts' own announcements, but always confirm with the host before traveling.