Calvert Cliffs State Park sits along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County, Maryland, where towering Miocene-era cliffs rise above a narrow beach littered with fossils more than 10 million years old. Spanning 1,311 acres, this state park is one of the few places on the East Coast where visitors can hunt for shark teeth, ancient shells, and other marine fossils simply by walking the shoreline.

The main attraction is the 1.8-mile Red Trail, a mostly flat path through hardwood forest and marsh boardwalks that leads to the beach at the base of the cliffs. The hike is family-friendly and rewards you with a stretch of sand where fossil hunting is as simple as scanning the waterline. Shark teeth — small, dark, and triangular — are the most common finds, and kids especially love the treasure-hunt feel of it.

Beyond the beach, the park offers 13 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking through mixed forests, plus a recycled tire playground, fishing pond, and picnic pavilions. Birders will find the marshland areas productive, particularly during spring and fall migration.

The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, when bay waters are calm and the beach is fully accessible. Winter storms can erode the cliffs and expose fresh fossils, but trail conditions may be muddy. Arrive early on summer weekends — the parking lot fills fast.

Calvert Cliffs delivers a genuinely unique day trip that blends natural history with easy outdoor recreation.

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