Fossil Hunting at Purse State Park, Maryland
ALLOWED
No permit required
Key Conditions
- Collect loose fossils and shark teeth on the beach shoreline only; Maryland DNR says fossils embedded in the cliffs and riverbanks are protected
- Purse is no longer a state park: it's the Purse Area of Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area, so the wildlife-area rules in COMAR 08.03.02 apply
- Arrowheads and other artifacts can't be taken, and metal detectors can't be used, without Maryland Historical Trust and DNR permits (COMAR 08.03.02.18)
- The beach is only workable around low tide, and the WMA is open to hunting in season
The "state park" is now a wildlife management area
Most directions, reviews and maps still say Purse State Park. Maryland DNR now describes it as "the Purse Area – formerly known as Purse State Park," part of Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area. That changes three practical things. The rulebook is COMAR 08.03.02 (wildlife areas), not the state-park rules. There's no staff, restroom or fee. And from fall into winter you share the land with deer, turkey and waterfowl hunters.
The teeth at Purse are more than twice as old as the ones most Maryland collectors know. DNR dates them to the Paleocene, 56 to 66 million years ago, weathered out of the Aquia Formation, a greensand the Maryland Geological Survey traces from the Potomac bluffs of western Charles County eastward. The Calvert Cliffs teeth, by comparison, are Miocene. Different age, different sharks: small, narrow teeth from about a quarter inch to an inch, not the big serrated megalodons people drive to the Chesapeake for.
The legal position is simple in practice and slightly awkward on paper. DNR's own guidance names Purse as a place where "collecting fossils and shark teeth is permitted," and says "the only areas where collecting is permitted is along beach shorelines." The underlying regulation, COMAR 08.03.02.10, bars removing or disturbing rock or minerals on Service land without a use permit and doesn't mention fossils at all. Read together, loose teeth and shells picked from the beach are what DNR allows. Digging into the bluff is what the regulation bars.
Two things you can't take home from this beach
Anything from the cliff face. DNR says fossils embedded in the cliffs and riverbanks are protected. The bluffs are also physically unstable. Above the Aquia sits the Marlboro Clay, which the Maryland Geological Survey calls "highly susceptible to slope failure." Stay off the base of the bluff.
Artifacts. The Potomac shoreline has a long human history, and the same gravel that yields teeth can yield worked stone. Under COMAR 08.03.02.18, removing prehistoric or historic artifacts, digging for relics or using a metal detector on Service land needs a Maryland Historical Trust permit and a Service use permit. A shark tooth goes in your pocket; an arrowhead gets photographed and left.
Planning a Purse visit by season
Spring (Mar–May)
GoodWinter storms have reworked the beach, and vegetation hasn't filled in the path. Spring turkey season runs on the WMA, so wear something bright and stay on the shoreline.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
FairNo big-game season, but heat, humidity, ticks and weekend crowds on a very narrow beach. Go early on a morning low tide.
Fall (Sep–Nov)
FairGood beach conditions after tropical storms and nor'easters, but deer and waterfowl seasons overlap. Check DNR's hunting seasons calendar, wear orange and consider weekday midday visits.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
FairWind-driven low tides can expose extra gravel, and there are few other collectors. Cold water, icy footing and late-season hunting are the trade-offs.
Purse vs. other Maryland shark-tooth beaches
| Site | Manager | Fossil age | Rules that differ | Cost / facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purse Area (Nanjemoy WMA) | DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service | Paleocene (56–66 Ma) | Beach only; no artifacts; hunting seasons apply | Free; no facilities |
| Calvert Cliffs State Park | Maryland Park Service | Miocene | Beach only; walking beneath or climbing the cliffs prohibited; sieves and shovels allowed on the beach | $5/vehicle; sunrise–sunset; ~1.8-mi walk |
| Douglas Point (just north of Purse) | Bureau of Land Management | Paleocene (Aquia) | Federal land: BLM rules apply, not COMAR | Free |
| Mallows Bay (Potomac) | Charles County park; waters are a NOAA national marine sanctuary | — | Removing sanctuary resources, including shipwreck material, is prohibited in the sanctuary waters (15 CFR 922.203) | Free county park |
Rules as published by Maryland DNR, COMAR and NOAA; checked 2026-09-28.
What to bring to a narrow Potomac beach
- OptionalSmall sieve (1/4-inch or finer)— Most Purse teeth are under an inch. A kitchen colander works; scoop gravel at the waterline and rinse.
- RequiredRubber boots or water shoes— The best gravel is in the wash zone, and the beach is only a few yards wide at low tide.
- OptionalBlaze orange hat or vest— Not legally required for non-hunters, but wise during deer and turkey seasons on an active hunting WMA.
- RequiredTide prediction for station 8578931— NOAA's Clifton Beach, Smith Point station is about 1.4 miles away. Plan to arrive an hour or two before low tide.
- OptionalWater, bug spray and a trash bag— No facilities at all on site.
Before you go
- Check the low-tide time at NOAA station 8578931 (Clifton Beach, Smith Point)
- Check DNR's hunting seasons calendar if visiting September–February or in spring turkey season
- Park only in the designated lot off Riverside Road (Route 224); no driving beyond it
- Plan to collect only loose material on the beach, never from the bluff
- Leave artifacts where they lie and note the spot for DNR
- Save the Myrtle Grove office number, (301) 743-5161, for questions or to report a significant find
Who Sets the Rules Here
- StateMaryland DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service — COMAR 08.03.02 (Use of Wildlife Areas)
The Purse Area and the rest of Nanjemoy WMA, including the beach above the waterline
- StateMaryland Natural Resources Article § 10-1101
Penalties for violating Wildlife & Heritage Service regulations
- StateMaryland Historical Trust
Permits for digging for relics, removing historic or prehistoric artifacts, or using metal detectors on Service land (COMAR 08.03.02.18)
Permits & Licenses
| Permit | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beach fossil and shark-tooth collecting | No | No permit or fee. Maryland DNR lists Purse among public lands where collecting fossils and shark teeth is permitted along beach shorelines. |
| Wildlife & Heritage Service use permit | No | Only needed for activities COMAR 08.03.02.10 otherwise bars, such as removing or disturbing rock, minerals or plants beyond DNR's beach-collecting allowance. Contact the Myrtle Grove office, (301) 743-5161. |
| Maryland Historical Trust permit + Service use permit | Yes | Required before digging for relics, removing prehistoric or historic artifacts, or using a metal detector on Service land (COMAR 08.03.02.18). Not issued for hobby collecting. |
| Maryland hunting license | No | Only if you are hunting. Non-hunting visitors need no license but share the WMA with hunters in season. |
Time & Seasonal Restrictions
- Beach shoreline only: no digging into, climbing or collecting from the cliffs and riverbanks
- No removing arrowheads, pottery or other artifacts, and no metal detecting, without MHT and Service permits (COMAR 08.03.02.18)
- Areas posted as closed or restricted may not be entered (COMAR 08.03.02.15)
- Motor vehicles only on paved roads and in designated parking; no driving to the beach
- Hunting is allowed in open seasons for deer, turkey, gray squirrel and waterfowl, so plan fall and winter visits around the season calendar
Equipment Notes
- A kitchen-style sieve or small screen with 1/4-inch or finer mesh; DNR notes sieves help but aren't necessary
- Rubber boots or water shoes; the productive gravel is at and just below the waterline
- A small container or pill bottle, since most teeth here are under an inch
- Bright clothing during hunting seasons
What People Find Here
- Paleocene shark teeth, typically about 1/4 inch to 1 inch long and 56–66 million years old, per Maryland DNR
- Turritella (high-spired snail) shells and casts from the Aquia Formation, which the USGS describes as rich in Turritella along the Potomac
- Other Paleocene marine fossils weathering out of the Aquia greensand onto the beach
Penalties for Violations
← Scroll to see all columns
| Violation | Statute | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Removing or disturbing rock, minerals, plants or other protected material on WMA land without a use permit (e.g. digging into the cliffs) | COMAR 08.03.02.10; Md. Code, Nat. Res. § 10-1101 | Misdemeanor; fine up to $1,500. A second or later violation within 2 years: up to $4,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail |
| Removing prehistoric or historic artifacts, digging for relics, or using a metal detector without MHT and Service permits | COMAR 08.03.02.18; Md. Code, Nat. Res. § 10-1101 | Misdemeanor; fine up to $1,500 (up to $4,000 and/or 1 year for a repeat within 2 years) |
| Damaging public property on Service land | COMAR 08.03.02.20C | Reimbursement of the Service for the damage, on top of any criminal fine |
Etiquette & Leave No Trace
- Leave the cliff face alone, even the soft spots that look like they'd give up a tooth with one scrape
- Fill any hole you make in the beach gravel
- Take your trash and anything that washed up that you can carry; there are no bins
- Share the narrow low-tide strip with others
- During hunting season, keep voices and dogs close to the shore and give hunters room
Nearby Alternatives
← Scroll to see all columns
| Site | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Calvert Cliffs State Park | 60 mi | Miocene teeth (including megalodon), $5/vehicle, facilities and a long walk to the beach; a state park with its own no-cliff rule |
Distances are straight-line, not driving distance.All 2 fossil hunting sites in Maryland
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Purse State Park still a state park?
No. Maryland DNR now calls it the Purse Area, part of Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area, managed by the Wildlife & Heritage Service. That's why there are no rangers, restrooms or fees, and why wildlife-area rules and hunting seasons apply.
When is the best time to find shark teeth at Purse?
Around low tide, and ideally after a storm or strong wind has reworked the beach. At high tide the Potomac covers most of the productive gravel. Use the NOAA Clifton Beach, Smith Point station (8578931) for predictions.
Can I dig into the cliffs at Purse for fossils?
No. DNR says fossils embedded in the cliffs and riverbanks are protected and that collecting is only allowed along the beach shoreline. The bluffs are also unstable, and slumping can happen without warning.
How big are the shark teeth at Purse?
Mostly small, about a quarter inch to an inch, according to DNR. They're Paleocene, 56 to 66 million years old, more than twice the age of Calvert Cliffs' Miocene teeth. Don't expect megalodon here; it's the wrong age.
Can I keep an arrowhead I find on the beach at Purse?
No. On Wildlife & Heritage Service land, removing prehistoric or historic artifacts requires both a Maryland Historical Trust permit and a Service use permit (COMAR 08.03.02.18). Leave it, photograph it, and report the location to DNR.
Is Purse open during hunting season?
Yes. DNR says non-hunting visitors are welcome but should be aware of open seasons and visit accordingly. Deer, turkey, gray squirrel and waterfowl are hunted on Nanjemoy WMA.
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Disclaimer
Information is provided for general guidance only. Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with the official jurisdiction before relying on this information for legal decisions. Permitted Pursuits is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Report an error.
Sources
- Maryland DNR News — Hunting Ancient Species: Prehistoric Shark Teeth Can Be Found at Public Lands Near You (Sept. 25, 2025)(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Maryland DNR — Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area(accessed 2026-09-28)
- COMAR 08.03.02.10 — Removal or disturbance of natural resources on Service lands(accessed 2026-09-28)
- COMAR 08.03.02.18 — Relics, artifacts and metal detectors(accessed 2026-09-28)
- COMAR 08.03.02.15 — Restricted areas(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Maryland Code, Natural Resources § 10-1101 — Penalties(accessed 2026-09-28)
- Maryland Geological Survey — Marlboro Clay(accessed 2026-09-28)
- USGS Circular 1264, Trip 9 — Paleocene–Eocene section along the Potomac River(accessed 2026-09-28)
- NOAA Tides & Currents — Clifton Beach, Smith Point, MD (8578931)(accessed 2026-09-28)
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