Calvert Cliffs State Park

Fossils, beaches, swamps, hiking. This place has it all. All for just a $ 5 fee.
We were looking for an easier hike on a rainy day with my older dog, and this fit the bill. It is a great 1.8 mile hike on the red trail to the beach through very picturesque swamps, with water lillies, turtles, and potentially snakes. It’s great that there is a boardwalk in the muddier areas.
The red trail is not the only trail (it is the easiest) and it branches off to other trails that offer a more challenging terrain (
). I could spend a day just hiking here. In total there are 13 miles of hiking trails in this park.
Once you get to the beach there is a wooden box filled with shovel, screens and sifters to borrow for exploring. I’m a pretty bad geologist so I had about a two second attention span with sorting through the sand and spent the rest of the time in the water. Plus, I don’t know what I would do with a megalodon tooth, I’m a little over the puka shell necklace with the sharks tooth accessory wearing part of my life. I did see several fossils just looking down.
Now some reviewers say that the beach is small. This is true and it gets crowded on weekends with several families, but this is the type of beach that dogs and little kids (and me) love exploring. If you’re expecting freaking Malibu with the cliffs and ocean, you might feel a slight tinge of disappointment. The park can fill to capacity in summers (especially weekends) as a note.
A couple of things to remember:
It is swampy woodlands so bring bug repellant.
The cliffs here are doing what cliffs do, and they are eroding so no access is
is illegal to collect fossils beneath the cliffs.
Pack in, pack out park. No trashcans
Entrance fee ($ 5) is cash only.

I am at amazed at negative reviews of not finding fossils. I am sorry that that area should of held out 10 million years to supply you with a sharks tooth. The experience of being there is just wonderful. We saw so many animals, picked up a fossil and we did get surprisingly lucky and found a sharks tooth. If you honor and respect the beauty of a space like this. It’s for you.

I’ve been to Calvert Cliffs twice. Both times it was in the afternoon with very nice weather.
THE GOOD…
–the hike to the cliffs and beach area is nice
–you can see tons of turtles in the lake area
–they provide sand sifters for shark teeth hunting
–dogs are welcomed
–lots of parking
–entry fee isn’t too bad
–restrooms near parking area
–park worker at entry gate gave pooch a treat
THE BAD…
–beach area is rather small
–parking lot can get very crowded
–wish there was more see and explore… if there’s more it’s hard to tell
Overall, Calvert Cliffs is a nice park to visit for the day. It’s great for dogs.

Great hiking escape if you live in the DC Metro area. Trails are well marked and maintained. The terrain was very easy to navigate. It is a bit over an hour from DC, so make a day of it. Parking is $ 5 (cash) per vehicle, but it wasn’t really clear on how to pay or where to put the money (no one was on duty at the pay station). Also my GPS (Verizon Navigator), didn’t take me to the exact entrance, I had to continue driving for about a mile.

I heard this beach was great for shelling and fossil hunting so I decided to check it out with my boyfriend one afternoon. This is a very nice park and only $ 5 to get in. They had clean bathroom facilities at the parking lot. When we arrived we looked at the map and decided to hike the 1.8 miles on the red trail to the beach. There are (I believe) 4 or 5 different hike trails you can take throughout the park which are all marked throughout the woods. The hike was super fun and very beautiful (see photos), we got to see baby turtles, a baby snake, the Marsh overlook and a beautiful lily pond. The park is dog friendly which I also liked. Once we arrived to the beach (which is quite small) we went to the left towards the cliffs. They have signs warning against not going near them due to the cliffs falling but we saw other people looking for shells and sharks teeth so decided to break the rules a little bit and explore the cliffs as well. We found tons of cool fossilized seashells, including scallop shells bigger than my boyfriends hand! Unfortunately didn’t find any sharks teeth but I’m not experienced in that department so I hope to go back soon and find some! This park is a gem and I’m excited to return and do some more exploring!

I really enjoyed this place.
The hike down to the beach is about a 2 miles long and OMGGG IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! I can’t wait to go back here. The scenery is just amazing… I didn’t feel like I was in Maryland.
The beach was OK… small sand area.
But cool if you want to find seashells and shark teeth (although, we didnt find any). We did find other fossils… which STINKED so badly but was pretty cool.

I took my son and dog here. The 1.8 mile hike was worth it. Amazing sights during the hike, including this really cool bridge. The swamp area was beautiful. We saw fish, turtles, some kind of lizard, a frog, and many different birds. The beach wasn’t crowded at all. The view of the cliffs were amazing. Everyone that was there was very friendly. I went hoping to find a shark tooth but had no luck today… maybe next time. I highly recommend taking sun block and bug spray — though I forgot ours, SMH. By mid afternoon we couldn’t get away from the sand flies. I turned around from watching my son play in the water and saw my dog covered in flies and well we ended our trip early. Regardless, it was a great trip and we will be back.

What an awesome park! At the entrance there’s a huge tire playground complete with tire swings, tire cars, a little wooden playhouse, slides, and swings :) my daughter loved it, and I did too! Very fun and relaxing too :)
There are many trails you can hike that go for miles! We took the shortest trail to the beach which was 1.8 miles. It’s very scenic with wooden bridges going over the water so we can look down and see cool wildlife! We saw turtles, lizards and fish and of course bugs, but there weren’t that many, probably because it was such a hot day!
When we got to the beach, it was small, but cute. This is not a beach I would recommend swimming in however. I tried to go in but there were rocks all over the floor and I kept hurting my feet. Also the water was very murky so I was scared I’d run into a jellyfish! Other than that it’s a-​okay! Good for taking in the view after a hike :)
Bottom line, this place is awesome!

Park attendants are helpful and friendly. National Park service should give this beautiful park a little more attention and spend a little more money on it. $ 5 entrance fee could be spent on trail restoration, and taking back some of the swamp land to make it better visiting experience. This State Park is 70 miles away on two-​lane drive from Washington DC and its northern burbs.
Items needed to enjoy this park
1. Insect repellent (Avoid ticks & Lyme disease)
2. Water
3. Snacks
4. Digging tools & sieve (If looking for fossils)
5. Shoes & socks to avoid stepping on snakes etc.
The beach is small, insect repellent is mandatory and you need to bring digging tools to find any fossils. Stay away from the cliffs, as trees, rocks could fall anytime. The trails are good exercise, and the beach is only 15 ft wide and at most 60 ft in length. The beach is backed by the swamp. The nature viewing and small wildlife is abundant including tree snakes and frogs. If you come with very little expectations you will enjoy and don’t forget to have water with you. The park has put two water coolers close to the beach but it is better to have you own just in case.

Beautiful place– secluded beach. Although there’s not a lot of beach to lay down on, there was only one other family there on a Wednesday. I can imagine it gets really crowded in the summer. There’s a 1.8 mile hike to get there– not bad, but probably shouldn’t wear sandals like I did, because some areas were flooded or extremely muddy. No shark teeth found, but I did find a fossil!

We went there as a family hoping to find sharks teeth. We didn’t find any. Also spoke with a local that suggested another area of the beach but still didn’t find any. We still had a great time and adventure. It was a cool day with a breeze and was misting out. The 1.8 hike to the beach was pretty cool and not full of bugs, since we were there early enough in the year. The beach was very small and had minimal people on it… all looking for fossils and teeth. After a little bit, we hiked up one of the cliffs and made our way to another small beach. This one didn’t have anyone on it. Found a fossil and some beautiful shells, hiked back… just in time to miss the afternoon rain. Good family time.

Great trails for a decent stroll. Not difficult hiking, and really great for families and groups. Scenic trails that are well marked. Getting through the woods and having it open up to the beach is really awesome. The beach is small, but lovely.

My father-​in-​law, 8-​year-​old son, and I enjoyed a crispy and sunny spring afternoon (Sunday, March 29) at Calvert Cliffs. The parking area, playground, and facilities are nicely maintained and ample. We took the 1.8-mile red trail to the beach and found it interesting, well-​groomed, and well-​marked. Some spots were a little muddy but walk-​arounds were easy. The walk to the beach is quite pretty, especially when you near the marsh area. It was a little too cool and early in the season to see much wildlife, but we did spot several turtles, great blue herons, and a common yellowthroat. Right before arriving at the beach, we were pleased to find two portable toilets (fairly clean and with TP).
The beach itself is small and, as the park website and signage state, the area below the cliffs is roped off due to erosion. We didn’t have a sieve or shovel and couldn’t do much fossil hunting. We did meet a family that found a nice Mako shark tooth and some smaller fossils. An information board near the beach features illustrations of the types of fossils found at Calvert Cliffs and nearby beaches such as Flag Ponds.
After returning to the parking area, we stopped at the playground. They’ve cleverly used old tires to create ecologically friendly climbing obstacles for the kids. Shredded tire bits are also used as substrate to protect the kiddos from falls.
Calvert Cliffs State Park makes for a great afternoon out with friends and family, but keep in mind that the beach is a 3.6-mile roundtrip walk from the parking area. Individuals who prefer a less strenuous excursion should consider nearby Flag Ponds, which boasts a similar beach and opportunities to fossil hunt.
In sum, we really enjoyed yesterday’s trip and can’t wait to get back with rubber boots and a proper sieve for fossil-​hunting!

The 1.8 mile one way trail to the beach was beautiful and peaceful. The beach itself is tiny and becomes crowded quickly. If you really want to look for fossils, I would recommend bringing stuff to dig as the cliffs are not open for the easy finds. We had more luck finding sharks teeth at flag ponds nature park.

This is a very easy hike, only 1.8 miles to get to the beach. There are quite a few other trails that branch off, but from what I gathered, a couple of them lead to the beach.
The trails are mostly shaded by large trees. There are picnic tables and benches along the way and by the beach. In my opinion it’s more of a casual walk than a hike. It is definitely excellent for a run.
The actually «beach» is pretty small. Nothing romantic or too impressive, but for toddlers it would be a nice spot. I would also like to remind people of the blood-​sucking insects along the way. They are ambitious. And they have buddies.
I think I skimmed through some other reviews and saw something about a tiger beetle? I don’t know what it was, but that sucker wanted war.
Shame on me for being a complete idiot, and too lazy to find the OFF! spray before I left the house.
Well, whatever. I don’t plan on having any hot dates, so I don’t have to worry about explaining the weird splotches on my neck, arms and legs. However not sure I wanna do the crack-​addict scratch if I get pulled over either. Eh.
Also, we did see a dead sting ray on the beach. Oober keewwl.

I once heard that beauty is where you find it, but the same can be said about having fun and having a sense of adventure.
FOSSILS:
If you’re reading this post hoping to get the scoop on fossil hunting– we need to talk. Finding fossils is all about weather conditions, cliff erosion, number of people in attendance and is also dependent upon what the tide brings in. Frankly, it’s anyone’s game. According to the park rangers, it’s best to go during low tide after a big storm.
*Should you go home empty handed, there is a guy selling sharks teeth off the main drag. But that’s cheating. *
HIKING:
It’s a nice hike from the parking lot to the beach. Expect to see plenty of wildlife (and mosquitos!) along the freshwater and tidal marshland. Things can get a little muddy, so appropriate attire is recommended. The red trail is well marked and is about 3.6 miles round trip. There are bathrooms by the park entrance and you can find a port-​a-​potty and water jugs as you near the beach. (yes, there is hand sanitizer.) The park rangers walk along the beach and are great resources for information on fossil hunting and for answering questions about the surrounding landscape.
BEACH:
The beach is small and could potentially get crowded during good weather. An early overcast June morning yielded plenty of space for digging and sieving. The water was warm, but a good respite at the end of a humid hike.
PACKING:
Consider bringing a towel, hiking shoes, a shovel, a sieve (an old mesh colander worked for me), snacks, water, BUG SPRAY, a waterproof cover for your camera and maybe your water shoes. Seriously, do not leave home without bug spray– this is marshland.
Verdict: Come for the hiking, come for the wildlife, come for the fossils and come for the views. Best experienced with a friend, a loved one, the kids or just you and the pooch. Makes for a great day trip from the Washington, D.C. area.

The kids and I love Calvert Cliffs State Park. We live locally I should add. It’s clean, has ample parking and trails are well maintained and clearly marked. It costs $ 5 which helps maintain the park. You can also get an annual pass.
To those out of towners who don’t know southern MD do NOT forget GOOD bug spray. You will get bit in late spring and summer especially. No see um and chiggers are bad around here. Also, please don’t come expecting to walk out on a large beach littered with rare fossils. Like anywhere else you have to dig. The cliffs are blocked off due to safety. They are eroding due to environment and the endangered Tiger Beetle.
We like the red trail that is 1.8 miles through wooded paths. There are small cricks and nice benches to sit on along the way. The marsh is very cool. You can hear various frogs singing. The red trail does get muddy in spots after rain. It takes a couple days to dry up. The kids ran right through of course but its not hard to walk around.
Porta potties are located close to beach and are VERY clean. Another kid favorite is the tire park. I am a history fanatic so its also cool to think about the natives and colonial ppl who used to live on the land thats now the park. I highly recommend visiting for a nice relaxing hike.

I like Calvert Cliffs, but it has its limitations. It’s a small park a ways away from anything. The fauna, the flora, the views, are really interesting. One trail leads through a fascinating swampland evocative of bygone eras… for a mile and a half or so, and then you’re there.
The beach itself is very small. You may find a fossil, but there isn’t much space to look and plenty of other people have looked before you. A very intriguing looking set of cliffs is off in the distance, but they’ve blocked off the rocky areas for safety so you can’t get anywhere near those. A permanent rig of some sort sits within view of the shores, a rather sad eyesore. There is also a nice little boardwalk leading out into the swamp… which is damaged and has been closed. It’s been that way for a year or two at least; no one seems to be in a hurry to fix it.
The other trails that I’ve been on are nowhere near the beach and are fine forest trails that are not worth driving out and paying an entrance fee for. Part of the park allows hunting, which doesn’t exactly encourage me to explore it. They have some picnic areas and a large tire playground near the entrance.
Bottom line: it’s an interesting place, good for kids, but it’s limited what you can actually do there.

The cliffs are closed with warning signs and tape. They do not want the Clifts to fall on you. See picture 18
They should rename the park as Calvert hike, swamp and beach, If you cannot access the cliffs. Nice 2 mile hike each way. this was my 1^st time there to see the cliffs, SO I was a little let down.

Calvert Cliffs is a small, seemingly obscure state park, but it is a very interesting destination for many. Apparently, it is ideal for budding paleontologists! People drive considerable distances to arrive here in hopes of scoring a rare find. The park is set just off the Chesapeake Bay and much of the fossil hunting is done along a very narrow stretch of beach adjacent to the Calvert cliffs themselves. Short of a rare find, you can certainly walk away with a shark’s tooth; so it’s worth a look if that’s your thing.
Now, I only came to know about all of this after visiting here and seeing treasure hunters in action. Of course, the park itself is still very much amenable to traditional hiking and birdwatching. Hiking to the bay allows for some refreshing downtime, and the cliffs are beautiful to look at. Unfortunately, you can’t have a closer look at the cliffs as access to them is restricted due to issues of erosion. The hiking in the park is pretty easy by any standard. Heading all the way out to the bay along the Red Trail and returning along a different route (Orange Trail, White Trail, Blue Trail, and Yellow Trail), was meandering, scenic, and still only totalled a paltry 4.6 miles. The paths are flat, well-​graded, and very well maintained. They are definitely child-​friendly and date-​friendly. The bird-​watching is worthwhile here too with more than 160 species present.
Recommend for an easy hike, lazy day getaway.