

For the most up to date events, check out our Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Newswire.

Thank you to our friends at New York Paleontological Society, where we are very happy members for the following information that we updated with new details from our 2014 visit to these sites.

Megalodon Teeth can be found at the following locales in Maryland along the Chesapeake Coast.

SITE — BROWNIE’S BEACH, near Chesapeake Beach, Maryland

– Also called Bayfront Park

There is no charge to enter and collect here. Open year round & daily.



Phone: (301) 855-8398 or (410) 257-2230.

Chesapeake Group: almost all Calvert Formation, Miocene. Usual Miocene coastal mix. Shark’s teeth, whale/porpoise bone, fish, molluscs, snails, crabs, scallop, etc. Small shark teeth common in gravel; some shelled invertebrates.

* DON’T BE FOOLED BY MODERN SHELL LOOKALIKES AND REMEMBER THAT MEGALODON TEETH ARE VERY RARE *

Directions from the north.

Note also, parking at this site MAY also be a problem due to the size of the lot. If so, you may have to move to parking a short distance away and either car pool back or walk.

– Take Route 4 South past the town of Bristol to Route 260.

(Depending on where you’re coming from, you could also take Rte. 2 South to near the town of Owings to reach Rte. 260).

– Turn left (east) onto Rte. 260.

– Continue on Rte. 260 to the town of Chesapeake Beach.

– At the light, turn right (south) onto Rte. 261.

– It is about 1.2 miles to the Bayfront Park (Brownies Beach) parking lot on the left.

– On your way, you’ll pass Beach Elementary School on the right. This is about ½ mile before your turn off to Bayfront Park (Brownie’s)

– After this, road widens as it goes downhill – slow down.

– Turn left onto small road – see sign after turn for “Bayfront Park”.

– Park here if you can get a space.

Note: There’s a sign for “Chesapeake Village Estates” across Rte. 261 from entrance to Bayfront Park.

If the lot is full:

– Return north on Rte. 261 for about 1.0 mile to the parking lot for the Rod & Reel Restaurant (also, for the Chesapeake Beach Rail Road Museum) on the right. This is municipal parking – you can park here and either car pool back to Brownies Beach or walk along the boardwalk 0.8 miles to Brownies.

When school is closed, you can park in the lot for Beach Elementary School also, and walk to the entrance to Bayfront Park.

*Important note: Do NOT walk along Rte. 261 – there are no shoulders and hidden turns and hills – can be very dangerous!

Directions from the south.

– Take Rte. 4 North

– turn right onto Rte. 263 East toward “Chesapeake Beaches”.

– Bear left as this becomes Rte. 261 North

– Continue on Rte. 261 north until you come to Randle Cliffs (Naval Research Lab there).

– Continue north on Rte. 261 about 1.5 miles to Bayfront Park (Brownies Beach) – follow directions for parking above.

You can collect along the beach. Also, you can walk South in the water to get to the cliffs. This is a long walk. However, as of this writing, serious collectors are pulling things out of the cliffs (probably illegally) such as large Carcharodon megalodon teeth., etc. You can collect legally along the base of the cliffs.

SITE — CALVERT CLIFFS STATE PARK

**** CLASSIC SITE ****

Chesapeake Group: Calvert, Choptank, St. Mary’s, Eastover Formations. Miocene. Usual Miocene coastal mix. Shark’s teeth, whale/porpoise bone, fish, snails, crabs, scallop, etc.

* DON’T BE FOOLED BY MODERN SHELL LOOKALIKES. REMEMBER THAT MEGALODON TEETH ARE VERY RARE *.

Call ahead for weather and TIDES – affects collecting significantly.

Calvert Cliffs State Park – forest/beach park on the Chesapeake Bay. On peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay (east) and the Patuxent River (west). Must pay an entrance fee. No visitor center in park. Trail guides available – order through website below. Phone: 301-888-1410 http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/southern/calvertcliffs.html

From New York City:

– New Jersey Turnpike south over Delaware Memorial Bridge.

– Take I-95 south to Baltimore.

– Take Exit 49 (I-95) onto I-695 south/east.

– Take Exit 4 (I-695) onto I-97 south.

– Take I-97 south to the end – get onto Fed. Rte. 301 EAST.

– Take 301 a few exits – get onto St. Rte. 2 south.

– Take St. Rte. 2 south about 22 miles past Sunderland – Rte. 2 joins St. Rte. 4.

– Continue on Rtes. 2 & 4 south to just past Lusby – see signs to the park – turn left.

– Park in parking area. A two mile trail takes you to the beach – can walk up and down beach to collect.

*** YOU CANNOT CUT INTO CLIFFS HERE – ILLEGAL ***.

You can keep any fossils found on shore line, however.

Tools — Shovel/trowel, sieve or nothing. Gem Scoop good. Hip or knee boots useful.

SAFETY

Although collecting is relatively easy and safe at these sites, a number of dangers do exist.

First and foremost, THERE IS NO MEGALODON TEETH COLLECTING IN THE CLIFFS THEMSELVES! This is not only illegal, but can be very dangerous. The cliffs are formed of poorly consolidated sediments which are undercut by the tides and surf. They periodically collapse without warning – a number of near fatalities have happened! Please stay away from the cliffs.

There may be a lot of ticks in the area. Please try to avoid vegetation as much as possible when moving around. Also, use insect repellent (see below).

When wading through the surf, be careful – don’t go too far out, especially if you’re wearing waders. If these fill with water and you’re in deep water, they may prevent you from swimming to safety.

Finally, since there could be broken glass or sharp rocks (or fossils!) along the beach, you should wear something on your feet. It would be sad if your foot is stabbed by something sharp – even if it’s an extinct shark’s tooth! See clothing below.

FOOD & WATER: Bring plenty of beverages or water, especially if it’s hot.

CLOTHING: Be ready for any type of weather. You will be collecting along the beaches of the bay with an easterly exposure. There will be no shade or cover. In early June it may be sunny and warm or even hot – bring a shady hat, sunglasses and LOTS of sunscreen. However, it could be windy, chilly and rainy – bring a rain suit or poncho. Also, maybe a coat if it’s chilly. An umbrella would be useless in this open area.

Since you’ll will be wading in the water sometimes, bring some old sneakers or sandals to protect you from possible broken glass. If warm, you can roll up your pants or wear shorts (remember that sunscreen, however!). Hip high waders would also be great. Waist high waders are not recommended for safety reasons. Remember also, that being in the water will cool you down – you may want a sweater or coat depending.

On hot days, you can simply wear a bathing suit – it is a beach afterall!

As mentioned above, there is a good crop of ticks out this year. Simply stay away from all vegetation as much as possible. You may also want to bring insect spray to protect against them. Repellents with a DEET content (the higher the better) are best.

Since you may get wet (intentionally or not), bring a change of cloths in your car just in case.

OTHER PRIVATE COLLECTING SITES NEARBY (From Calvert Marine Museum):

(All Charge a Fee)

* Matoaka Beach Cabins – East of St. Leonard on Calvert Beach Road. 410-586-0269. Open year round & daily. Connie & Larry Smith, proprietors.

* Brownie’s Beach (Holiday Beach) – South of Chesapeake Beach on St. Rte. 261. 301-855-8398 or 410-257-2230. Open year round & daily.

* Flag Ponds Nature Park – 10 miles north of Solomons on St. Rte. 4. 410-586-1477 or 410-535-5327. Visitor center, entrance fee, beach access. No camping (?). Memorial Day to Labor Day – daily. Labor Day to Memorial Day – Saturday & Sunday only.

Breezy Point Beach – East on Breezy Point Road from St. Rte. 261. 410-535-0259. Open April 15 to Oct. 15 & daily.

*** Report significant Megalodon teeth and fossil finds to the CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM (see below) in Solomons. Contact the Curator of Paleontology, 410-326-2042, Ext. 28.

CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM (Solomons, Maryland)

RATING – Very good. Nice museum with local fossils (main museum locally for these fossils). Good place to see variety of fossils from the Calvert Cliffs area. Curator of Paleontology = Dr. Stephen J. Godfrey, Phone: 410-326-2042, ext. 28. FAX: 410-326-6691, email: godfresj@co.cal.md.us. Many other exhibits including Chesapeake Bay maritime history, estuarine biology exhibits, small craft boats, oyster boat (Wm. B. Tennison), Drum Point Lighthouse, etc., etc.

– Located off St. Rte. 2 & 4 on Solomon Island Road in Solomons, MD. Six miles south of Calvert Cliffs State Park (see above). Phone: 410-326-2042.

Website: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com .

All restrict collecting to beach flotsam and jetsam or cliff blocks fallen on the beach. DO NOT CLIMB OR DIG IN THE CLIFFS WITHOUT PERMISSION! Localities are listed north to south.

1. Brownie’s Beach, Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County, Maryland.

– Maryland Route 4 south to Maryland Route 260 east (left) “TO CHESAPEAKE BEACH”.

– From Route 260 turn right onto Maryland Route 261 south.

– Drive about 1.1 to 1.2 miles south to parking lot on east side of road at bottom of hill. Do not park on shoulders of road.

– Walk east about 200 yards to beach. No admission charge. Calvert Formation, small shark teeth common in gravel, some shelled invertebrates.

Phone: (301) 855-8398 or (410) 257-2230.

2. Breezy Point beach, Chesapeake Beach, Calvert County, Maryland.

– Maryland Route 4 south to Maryland Route 260 east (left) “TO CHESAPEAKE BEACH”.

– Turn right onto Maryland Route 261 south for five miles.

– Turn left (east) onto Breezy Point Road (green road sign, “BREEZY POINT). One mile to BREEZY POINT BEACH AND CAMPGROUND, operated by Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation. Open May 1 to October 31. Bathing beach, $6.00 adults, $4.00 age 3-11, various discounts. Calvert Formation, small shark teeth common in gravel.

Phone: (410) 535-1600 x 2225; (301) 855-1243 x 2225.

3. Matoaka Cottages, PO Box 124, St. Leonard, Calvert County, Maryland.

– Maryland Route 4 to Calvert Beach Road east; continue on Calvert Beach Road after going around circle.

– Left on dirt road marked with sign to “Matoaka Cottages” (1.3 miles from Route 4 to Matoaka turnoff). Day use, $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children under 12; cottages and camping also available. Choptank Formation, good variety of mollusks and other invertebrates, fair for shark teeth and bone. Run by Larry and Connie Smith.

Phone: (410) 586-0269, www.chesapeake.net/~Barney

4. Flag Ponds Nature Park, Lusby, Calvert County, Maryland.

– Maryland Routes 4 to sign for “Flag Ponds Nature Park” (east).

– About one-half mile hike to beach. Choptank Formation, moderate variety of invertebrates and shark teeth. Cliffs covered by vegetation; natural history enthusiasts will enjoy trails. Limited admission policy from late fall to early spring.

Admission: $4.00 per car, Calvert County resident ($6.00 non-resident). $15.00 annual pass available, Calvert County resident ($20.00, non-resident); inquire about educational group rates.

Phone: (410) 535-5327; (410) 586-1477.

5. Calvert Cliffs State Park, Lusby, Calvert County, Maryland.

– Maryland Route 4 to sign for “Calvert Cliffs State Park” (east).

Admission: $3.00 per car, hours vary with the seasons. Choptank Formation (two mile hike to beach); fossils are limited in numbers and kinds, collecting limited to section of beach NOT below cliffs. Group camping area (closer to beach) available by prior arrangement. Phone: (410) 888-1622.

Collecting suggestions: Be careful: Although injuries are rare (two fatalities in 40 years) the cliffs can fall without warning. (The first sound you hear is the blocks hitting the beach). All localities noted above have areas to collect where there are no cliffs above you. Plan to get wet and dirty. Sharp objects on beach; foot protection (boots or shoes that can get wet) recommended. Bring containers for your finds; wet fossils are easily lost in pockets. In season (especially Summer) sea nettles (jellyfish) sting.