Virginia's fossil-hunting flagship. Cliffs of the Calvert Formation drop Miocene treasure into the Potomac shore.
Solid hunting day. Best window opens around the 12:20 AM low (0.5 ft). Moderate S winds (9 mph).
Next 3 days: Today is the pick (60); Sun runs cooler at 50.
Plan around the good low-tide window. Cliff site — continuous erosion baseline · low tide during daylight · best low 60.
Impact on visibility and stir-up over the next 5 days.
Cliff sites score from a baseline plus recent storm stir, daylight low tide timing, wind exposure, and seasonal events (only when storms are actually shedding cliff material).
Solid. Reliable productivity expected.
We are deliberate about which factors to include. These are not currently in the model:
If you think we should add one of these, log a hunt with notes — every rated outcome helps us decide which signals actually predict tooth count.
Late winter freeze-thaw cycles destabilize the Chesapeake Group cliffs. March–early May historically produces the most fresh fall material on the beaches at Brownie's, Matoaka, and Westmoreland.
Wrack-line walking at low tide. Visitor center is excellent for ID.
State park entry fee, short trail to Fossil Beach. Restrooms at lots.
Beach surface collecting allowed. Do not dig cliffs.
Trophy = headline find · Rare = real score · Uncommon = some trips · Common = most trips.
The beachcomber's bonus round — what else the geology gives up.
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