Big Brook Park & Preserve
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Monmouth County park system site with two main access points: Big Brook Park (521 Route 520, Marlboro) and Big Brook Preserve (95 Hillsdale Rd, Colts Neck). The brook cuts through Cretaceous Navesink Formation (~67-74 million years old), exposing fossil-rich deposits. Visitors can find shark teeth (crow, goblin, sand tiger), mosasaur teeth, ray teeth, fish teeth, belemnites, and occasional dinosaur bone fragments. Rules: 5 fossils per day per person, max 6-inch trowel, max 18-inch sifting screen, no digging from stream banks. Fossil collecting is within the stream waterline only. No permit needed for groups under 15. Free public access.
🪨 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:
Shark Teeth
Also found at:
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⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Big Brook Park & Preserve 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