Metal Detecting Hunts in Texas
Texas has one of the deepest hunt calendars in the country, front-loaded into winter and spring: Gypsy Digs' birthday bash hunt in Edna, the Houston Metal Detecting Club's open beach hunt at Galveston's East Beach (running since the early 1980s), the Iron Eagles hunt in Bonham, and the Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs' Treasure Show & Open Hunt in Temple, a tradition since 1982. Fall brings the Central Texas Treasure Club's memorial hunt in Brownwood and the Lone Star Treasure Hunters' 51st annual open in Corsicana.
Upcoming hunts in Texas
Central Texas Treasure Club Friou Allen Memorial Open Hunt
Oct 10, 2026 — Brownwood, TX · Seeded hunt · $25
Annual open seeded hunt at Camp Bowie Memorial Park. Hunt runs 10:00–11:30 AM, registration starts 9:00 AM. Cash-only entry at registration. Hosted by Central Texas Treasure Club.
Lone Star Treasure Hunters Club 51st Annual Open Hunt
Oct 18, 2026 — Corsicana, TX · Seeded hunt · $300
The Lone Star Treasure Hunters Club's 51st Annual Open Hunt — Sunday October 18, 2026 at Lake Halbert Park (1600 Lake Halbert Rd), Corsicana TX. Open to the public; max 100 hunters per hunt.
Golden Triangle Explorers 4th Annual Open Holiday Hunt
Dec 12, 2026 — Garland, TX · Seeded hunt · $150
GTES's 4th Annual Open Holiday Hunt at Audubon Park, 342 West Oates Road, Garland TX — about 1.2 miles north of I-635 on Oates. Everyone is welcome, and it runs rain, shine or snow. One entry fee covers BOTH hunts plus lunch, and the club states that all entry fees go back into the hunts. Hosted by Golden Triangle Explorers Society (GTES).
Recent hunts
- TAMDC Texas Treasure Show & Annual Open Hunt — Apr 25–26, 2026, Temple, TX · Seeded + natural · hosted by Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs. A Texas tradition since 1982. Multi-day event at the Frank W. Mayborn Center combining a treasure show (vendors, displays) with an open hunt.
- Iron Eagles Treasure Hunt — Apr 10–11, 2026, Bonham, TX · Seeded hunt · hosted by Heart of Texas Metal Detecting Club. 1st Annual Iron Eagles Treasure Hunt hosted by the Heart of Texas Metal Detecting Club.
- Houston Metal Detecting Club 44th Annual Open Beach Hunt — Feb 28, 2026, Galveston, TX · Seeded + natural · hosted by Houston Metal Detecting Club. Annual open beach hunt at East Beach (Apffel Park), 1923 Boddeker Dr, Galveston. Combines a seeded field component with natural beach hunting.
- Gypsy Jewels 5th Annual Birthday Bash Hunt — Feb 20–21, 2026, Edna, TX · Seeded hunt · hosted by Gypsy Digs. 5th Annual birthday bash seeded hunt hosted by Gypsy Jewels at El Toro Steakhouse grounds. Silver coins, rings, relics, token prizes, and gold bar giveaways.
Recurring hunts to watch
Almost the entire Texas slate is annual: Gypsy Jewels' bash each February (2026 was the 5th), the Houston club's Galveston beach hunt (44 years running) each winter, TAMDC's show-and-hunt each April since 1982, Brownwood's memorial hunt and the Lone Star open each October. Texas hunt flyers typically post 2–4 months ahead in the clubs' Facebook groups.
Detecting in Texas: 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: Oklahoma, Arkansas. Listings come from the DigRallies directory — dates and fees are checked against the hosts' own announcements, but always confirm with the host before traveling.