Shark River: Fossil Hunting in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Updated July 2026
Shark River is named for the fossil shark teeth found where it cuts middle Eocene marine beds, notably the Shark River and Manasquan formations, roughly 45 million years old. A basal quartz sand layer yields shark and ray teeth, while the glauconitic marl above carries molds of clams and other shells. It sits inside a Monmouth County park, so collecting is done through the park's programs or on the exposed gravel bars. Reported finds include shark teeth, fossils. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Shark River photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Shark River in Monmouth County, New Jersey
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Monmouth County
- State
- New Jersey
- Nearest road
- West Dianne Drive
- Postcode
- 07753
- Coordinates
- 40.20023, -74.07277
Geology at Shark River
This spot sits on Lower Member of the Kirkwood Formation, mapped as clay and sand that formed roughly 23 to 16 million years ago. Reworked sediments like these can carry fossils eroded from older beds upstream, typically as rolled bone fragments, teeth, and shell material.
- Mapped unit
- Lower Member of the Kirkwood Formation
- Age
- 23–16 Ma (Early Miocene)
- Rock types
- clay and sand
- Elevation
- 50 ft
Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.
Best time to visit Shark River
Best months: March to December. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 25°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LONG BRANCH-OAKHURST station (8 mi away).
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.
Found at Shark River
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Shark River.
- ManasquanMonmouth County, New Jersey · 6 mi awayQuartz, Fossils, Petrified Wood
- Long BranchMonmouth County, New Jersey · 9 mi awayQuartz
- Big Brook ParkTop pick in New JerseyMonmouth County, New Jersey · 12 mi awayShark Teeth, Belemnite, Fossils
- Poricy Park Fossil BedsTop pick in New JerseyMonmouth County, New Jersey · 12 mi awayBelemnite, Shark Teeth, Fossils
- Ramanessin BrookTop pick in New JerseyMonmouth County, New Jersey · 13 mi awayShark Teeth, Fossils
- SayrevilleMiddlesex County, New Jersey · 21 mi awayMarcasite, Pyrite, Petrified Wood
- Ocean CountyOcean County, New Jersey · 31 mi awayQuartz
- KingstonSomerset County, New Jersey · 31 mi awayAgate, Prehnite, Quartz
Across the state line from Shark River
Shark River is close enough to the New Jersey border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- MorrisvilleBucks County, Pennsylvania · 37 mi awayJasper
- FeastervilleBucks County, Pennsylvania · 47 mi awaySunstone, Agate, Feldspar
- NewtownBucks County, Pennsylvania · 47 mi awayJasper, Petrified Wood
- Maple GlenBucks County, Pennsylvania · 54 mi awayPetrified Wood
- Bucks CountyBucks County, Pennsylvania · 55 mi awayPetrified Wood
- EurekaBucks County, Pennsylvania · 59 mi awaySmoky Quartz
Shark River FAQ
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More rockhounding in New Jersey
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