Shell limits at national seashores
National seashores share one federal rule and then each sets its own number. Here are eight of them, from five gallons to none.
The federal default: nothing leaves
Every unit of the National Park System starts from the same regulation. Under 36 CFR 2.1 it is prohibited to possess, remove or disturb wildlife — living or dead — plants, fossils, cultural or archeological resources, and mineral resources. Sand and stones count as mineral resources; a dried sea star is wildlife.
The same regulation gives each superintendent one way to relax it: a park may designate certain fruits, berries, nuts or unoccupied seashells that visitors may gather by hand for personal use, after finding that this will not harm the park’s resources. That is why shell limits exist at all, why they differ from park to park, and why they never extend to live animals.
Source: Code of Federal Regulations — 36 CFR 2.1. As of October 2026.
Shell limits at eight federal shorelines
Daily limits for unoccupied shells, per person, as each park publishes them. The bar compares the volumes.
- Cape Lookout5 gallonsNorth Carolina. Read the park’s page
- Cumberland Island2 gallonsGeorgia. Read the park’s page
- Cape Cod1 gallonMassachusetts. Read the park’s page
- Padre Island1 gallonTexas. Read the park’s page
- Fire Island2 quartsNew York. Read the park’s page
- Olympic coastA handfulWashington. Read the park’s page
- Gulf IslandsNo amount statedFlorida and Mississippi. Read the park’s page
- Point ReyesNoneCalifornia. Read the park’s page
Fire Island states its two quarts “per day” without adding “per person”. Gulf Islands allows unoccupied shells and names no quantity. Point Reyes lists seashells among the protected objects that may not be collected.
Beyond shells
- Shark teeth: Cumberland Island allows fossilized shark teeth alongside shells. Padre Island prohibits collecting fossils of any kind.
- Sea beans: Padre Island counts drifting seeds toward its one-gallon container.
- Driftwood: Cape Cod allows it only as campfire fuel, gathered below the spring high tide drift line. Gulf Islands allows nothing but shells to leave the park. Olympic permits beach wood for campfires.
- Metal detectors: possessing or using one is prohibited at Padre Island.
- Artifacts: never. If a find looks old or man-made, leave it in place and tell a ranger.
Where to find a park’s own rule
Each park publishes a document called the Superintendent’s Compendium, usually under “Laws and policies” on its website. The section on 36 CFR 2.1 lists exactly what may be gathered and how much. For a seashore not in our list, that is the page to read before your visit.
State rules for the same coasts are in the state-by-state table.