Potomac River Fossil Beds
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Cretaceous fossil deposits along the Potomac River. Dinosaur teeth, bones, and plant fossils can be found in the eroding banks.
🌐 Visit Official Site →🪨 What You Can Find Here
Fossils
From shark teeth in Florida to dinosaurs in Montana, the US offers world-class fossil hunting for all skill levels.
Also found at:
📍 Nearby Locations in Maryland
Calvert Cliffs State Park
Lusby, Maryland · State Park
World-famous Miocene fossil site. Collect fossil shark teeth (megs), shells, and marine mammal bones along 15 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline.
Flag Ponds Nature Park
Lusby, Maryland · County Park
Excellent Calvert Cliffs fossil hunting site. Shark teeth, ray plates, and marine mammal fossils on Chesapeake Bay beaches.
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Potomac River Fossil Beds with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35