FIELD Rockhounding in Maryland
Patuxent River agate, Piedmont quartz and serpentine, and the shark-tooth cliffs of the Chesapeake — Maryland mixes minerals with Miocene fossils.
Maryland packs a lot of geological variety into a small state. Its Piedmont yields quartz, serpentine and the banded Patuxent River agate, while the famous Calvert Cliffs on the Chesapeake Bay are one of the East Coast’s great fossil-shark-tooth destinations.
The geology behind the finds
Maryland’s Piedmont holds quartz veins, the chromite-bearing serpentine barrens (Bare Hills, Soldiers Delight) and gravels carrying Patuxent River agate. Along the western shore of the Chesapeake, the Calvert Cliffs expose Miocene marine sediment packed with the teeth of ancient sharks (including Megalodon) and the bones of whales and rays — material the waves constantly wash onto the beach.
What you’ll find
Classic Maryland material
- Patuxent River agate
- Fossil shark teeth — Calvert Cliffs (Miocene)
- Quartz, serpentine, chromite
Before you go
- At Calvert Cliffs, collect fallen material on the beach — don’t dig the cliffs (unstable & restricted).
- Many sites are private or park land — check rules.
- Read ethics & law first.
The Chesapeake shark teeth are Maryland’s headline hunt — beachcombers find them at the waterline, from small black teeth to the occasional larger find. Inland, Patuxent River agate and the serpentine barrens’ minerals reward those who explore the Piedmont.
Where to go, region by region
The Chesapeake — Calvert Cliffs
The beaches below the Calvert Cliffs (such as the public beaches at Calvert Cliffs State Park, Brownies Beach and Matoaka) are the classic place for fossil shark teeth. Collect the loose material the waves expose — do not dig or undermine the dangerous, protected cliffs.
The Piedmont
The serpentine barrens and river gravels yield quartz, serpentine, chromite and Patuxent agate — collect with permission, as much is private or park land.
When to go
Maryland collecting runs spring through fall, and beach fossil-hunting is good year-round. Low tide and the days after storms are best, when fresh teeth are washed onto the sand.
Gear & field tips
- For shark teeth: a sifting scoop and a sharp eye on the waterline at low tide.
- For agate & minerals: wet stones to judge banding; a small pick for the serpentine barrens.
- Stay well back from the Calvert Cliffs — falls are deadly and digging them is prohibited.
Rules & access
At Calvert Cliffs, collect only the fallen material on the beach — the cliffs are unstable and protected. Many inland sites are private or park land needing permission. Read our guide to collecting ethics & the law.
Clubs & shows
Eastern Federation clubs are active in Maryland and run fossil and mineral trips. Browse our clubs directory.
Want a Chesapeake shark tooth or polished agate?
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Where can I find shark teeth in Maryland?
On the public beaches below the Calvert Cliffs along the Chesapeake. Collect the loose teeth the waves expose at the waterline — never dig the cliffs.
Is it safe to dig the Calvert Cliffs?
No — the cliffs are unstable and prone to deadly collapses, and digging them is prohibited. Collect only fallen material on the beach.
What else can I collect in Maryland?
Patuxent River agate, quartz and serpentine-belt minerals in the Piedmont, mostly with landowner or park permission.