WV Route 29 Mahantango Formation Road Cuts
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Road cuts along West Virginia State Route 29 between the towns of Delray and Rio in Hardy County. Exposes the Mahantango Formation, an approximately 390-million-year-old siltstone and shale layer sitting atop the Marcellus Shale. Brachiopods can be found by simply flipping over rocks at the roadside. Scenic drive through the Eastern Panhandle. 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:
📍 Nearby Locations in West Virginia
Berkeley Springs Area Quarries
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia · Public Land
Historic rockhounding area in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, underlain by limestone and dolomite of the Great Valley sequence. Site of one of the ...
Brush Creek Falls Resort Gem Mine
Princeton, West Virginia · Fee Dig
Family gem mining experience at Brush Creek Falls Resort. Take raw material and sift it through the flume to find precious gemstones including Onyx, O...
Coopers Rock State Forest
Morgantown, West Virginia · state-forest
State forest near Morgantown where opal has been found on the underside of large sandstone slabs and overhangs. Hematite deposits also present. Featur...
Devil Anse Gem Mine
Matewan, West Virginia · Fee Dig
The first gem mine operation on the Hatfield McCoy ATV trail system. Covered mining facility open rain or shine, 7 days a week. Guarantees gem finds i...
Greenbrier County Flint Beds
Lewisburg, West Virginia · Public Land
Greenbrier limestone exposures for flint/chert nodules and Mississippian marine fossils. The Greenbrier Valley is rich in geological history.
Harpers Ferry Area Quartz
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia · Public Land
Potomac River and Shenandoah River gravels for quartz pebbles and other rocks. The area's metamorphic geology produces interesting specimens.
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to WV Route 29 Mahantango Formation Road Cuts 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