Virginia's fossil-hunting flagship. Cliffs of the Calvert Formation drop Miocene treasure into the Potomac shore.
Workable but not ideal. Best window opens around the 9:09 PM low (0.3 ft). Moderate NE winds (9 mph); offshore push at the low keeps the beach exposed. Spring tide cycle adds a little extra range.
Next 3 days: Tomorrow is the pick (62); today runs cooler at 49.
Plan around the fair low-tide window. Cliff site — continuous erosion baseline · low tide during daylight · onshore wind at low tide — ~0.4ft above predicted (little beach) · spring tide · best low 49.
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).
Fair. Standard conditions — go for the volume hunt.
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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