The cliffs contain fossils of over 600 species, including whales, dolphins, rays, and giant sharks like the extinct Megalodon.
The sediment layers at Calvert Cliffs represent the Choptank, St. Marys, and Calvert geologic formations.
The park's namesake cliffs are actively eroding, which is necessary for the constant replenishment of fossils on the beach.
The area was once a subtropical environment, evidenced by the fossilized remains of ancient crocodiles and sea turtles.
The park includes a playground and a dedicated fishing area on a freshwater pond, distinct from the bay shoreline.
Due to the instability of the cliffs, climbing on or standing directly beneath them is strictly prohibited and dangerous.
Calvert Cliffs State Park is most famous for its Miocene-era fossil deposits embedded in high, crumbling cliffs along the Chesapeake Bay. The primary attraction is a 1.8-mile trail leading from the parking area to a quarter-mile long sandy beach where visitors hunt for shark teeth and prehistoric shells. The 1,079-acre park encompasses wooded bluffs, tidal marshes, and freshwater ponds. The cliffs are composed of sedimentary layers formed approximately 10 to 20 million years ago when the region was covered by a warm, shallow sea. Erosion continues to expose new fossils regularly, making the shoreline a dynamic site for amateur paleontologists. Swimming is prohibited in the beach area due to hazardous debris and unstable cliff conditions. The park also contains 13 miles of hiking trails that traverse varied terrain, including freshwater wetlands and mature hardwood forests. The site is a popular destination for birdwatchers, particularly during migratory seasons.
The base of the cliffs looking toward the Chesapeake Bay during the 'golden hour' for dramatic lighting on the sediment layers.
Bring a small hand sifter to help isolate shark teeth and small fossils from the coarse beach sand.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes as the trail to the beach is long and can be muddy or uneven.
Visit shortly after a heavy rain or high tide, as this often exposes new fossils on the beach surface.
Attempting to swim in the Chesapeake Bay at this location; attempting to hike the beach trail in flip-flops.
Do not climb on the cliffs; do not remove fossils in large quantities for commercial gain; pack out all trash.
