Fossils near Washington, DC
11 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Washington report fossil. The closest is North Ferry Point, about 31 miles out (39 min drive).
Fossil collecting spots cluster around exposed sedimentary rock: road cuts, creek banks, quarries, and badlands where erosion keeps bringing fresh material to the surface.
Map of 11 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Washington, District of Columbia
Closest fossils spots to Washington
- North Ferry PointAnne Arundel County, Maryland31 mi · 39 min driveAmber, Fossils
- Chesapeake BayCalvert County, Maryland45 mi · 56 min driveFossils
- Calvert Cliffs State ParkCalvert County, Maryland48 mi · 1 hr driveFossils, Shark Teeth
- Killen PondKent County, Delaware81 mi · 1 hr 41 min driveFossils
- Coursey PondKent County, Delaware82 mi · 1 hr 42 min driveFossils
- HancockWashington County, Maryland83 mi · 1 hr 44 min driveFossils, Quartz
Types of fossils reported near Washington
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Fossils11
- Shark Teeth1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Washington
Sorted by distance from Washington. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Ferry PointNorth Ferry Point Road | Anne Arundel County | 39.0857, -76.5026 | Public | |
| Chesapeake BayBeach Boardwalk | Calvert County | 38.4477, -76.4548 | Public | |
| Calvert Cliffs State ParkJuliet Low Trail | Calvert County |
| 38.4070, -76.4120 | Public |
| Killen PondKillens Pond Road | Kent County | 38.9825, -75.5378 | Public | |
| Coursey PondCoursey Mill Road | Kent County | 38.9895, -75.5174 | Public | |
| HancockNational Freeway | Washington County | 39.7170, -78.1953 | Public | |
| Chesapeake & Delaware Canal | New Castle County | 39.5585, -75.5898 | Public | |
| Pepper CreekDupont Boulevard | Sussex County | 38.5259, -75.2468 | Public | |
| Mullica HillMullica Hill Road | Gloucester County | 39.7331, -75.2202 | Public | |
| Jean & Ric Edelman Fossil ParkVeterans Memorial Highway | Gloucester County | 39.7622, -75.1274 | Public | |
| Smoke HoleSmoke Hole Road | Pendleton County | 38.8569, -79.2764 | Public |
Fossils near Washington FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Washington?+
11 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Washington report fossil. The closest is North Ferry Point in Anne Arundel County County, roughly 31 miles away (39 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Washington?+
11 of the 11 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Is it legal to keep fossils I find?+
On federal land, common invertebrate and plant fossils (shells, corals, trilobites, leaf prints) may be collected casually for personal use. Vertebrate fossils (bone, teeth, anything with a backbone) are protected on federal land and need a research permit. Private land follows the landowner's permission. When in doubt, photograph it, note the location, and ask the managing agency.
How far from Washington do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 31 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 120 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Washington
Fossils near other cities
Hunt fossils around Washington with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
