Discover Calvert Cliffs

You can discover shark teeth and even fossilized wildlife bones at Calvert Cliffs with a keen eye and a sense of adventure. The park is a treasure trove of wildlife, with turtles, lizards, and beavers often spotted along the trails. The recycled tire playground and picnic areas make it a perfect family outing! Just remember, the red trail to the beach is 1.8 miles each way, and while swimming is an option, it’s at your own risk since there’s no lifeguard on duty. So grab your gear, pack some snacks, and prepare for an unforgettable fossil hunting and fun day! Dogs are allowed but must remain under control and on a lease.

About Calvert Cliffs

The Cliffs were formed over 10 to 20 million years ago when a warm, shallow sea covered Southern Maryland. As the sea receded, the cliffs were exposed and began eroding to reveal the remains of prehistoric species, including sharks, whales, rays, and seabirds. The cliffs are unstable. Heed any signs directing you away from exploring or digging in the cliffs. There is plenty of sandy beach for discovering fossils.

Getting to Calvert Cliffs

Just an hour’s drive south of Annapolis, getting to this fantastic spot is a breeze along Rt 2/Rt 4! If you’re a Maryland resident, you can enjoy all this fun for just $5 per car (and if you can, bring some smaller bills—trust me, the gate guard will appreciate it!). Plenty of parking is available, but it’s a good idea to call ahead to ensure the park isn’t full when you arrive.

Once you park, you’ll find a super fun recycled tire playground surrounded by picnic tables—perfect for enjoying a packed lunch and letting the kids burn off some energy before heading out to the beach! There are public restrooms by the parking lot, plus a few port-a-potties along the trail, so you’re all set!

Trail to the Beach at Calvert Cliffs

We took the red trail to the beach, a lovely 1.8 miles each way. It is not a challenging trail, but you will probably pass more than one kid complaining about how tired they are of walking. The park boasts over 13 miles of hiking trails, so there’s plenty to explore! While some adventurous parents managed to navigate the path with rugged jogging strollers, I’d recommend leaving the wagons at home since the trail can be narrow and has tree roots to dodge.

As we hiked, we were thrilled to spot turtles basking on logs, snakes slithering by, and even a majestic bald eagle soaring overhead! It was a bit busy when we finally reached the beach, but there was still plenty of space to dig and hunt for fossils, shark teeth, and beautiful shells. Pay attention to any signs warning you away from the unstable cliffs. The sound of the waves and the warm sunshine made it even more enjoyable as we collected our treasures to take home. My sister and I packed up our finds while the kids continued to play, knowing we had a 1.8-mile hike back and those rocks and shells could get heavy!

After our adventure, the kids had a little more fun on the playground before we headed home for dinner. It was such a fantastic day for all of us, and I can’t wait to go back and explore even more of the nature trails!