Tar / Pamlico River sandbars (Greenville–Washington NC)
The wider, slower river that Green Mill Run drains into. The Tar–Pamlico cuts the same Yorktown Formation and exposes phosphate-rich gravel bars at low water. A small jon boat or kayak between Greenville and Washington gets you to bars that nobody walks to — and that means undisturbed teeth.
Float the river in low summer/fall water and beach on the inside of bends. Sift the lag of dark phosphate pebbles at the head of each bar. Snorkel the gravel at the bar's downstream tail in clear conditions.
River bottom is NC public-trust water. Public boat ramps at Greenville Town Common, Grimesland, and Washington Waterfront. Stay below the high-water mark; banks are private.
Surface collection from the streambed is generally accepted. Do not dig into banks (private + erosion). No collecting on the adjacent Goose Creek State Park land without permission.
- Strong current after rain — float at low, stable water only
- Submerged stumps and old pilings
- Alligators and water moccasins
- Boat traffic near Washington
- Late August through October is prime — water is lowest and bars are exposed
- The bars below the US-264 bridge near Grimesland are productive and rarely worked
- Pair with a stop at the Aurora Fossil Museum spoil piles 30 min downstream
Shark teeth findable here
Trophy = headline find · Rare = real score · Uncommon = some trips · Common = most trips.
Also findable here
The beachcomber's bonus round — what else the geology gives up.
💬 Community Discussion
0 messagesPrivacy First: Discussions are stored locally on your device in this version.