Purse State Park Cliffs
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Off Season Beachcombing in Maryland

Off-season beachcombing in Maryland is a fantastic way to combat winter boredom and enjoy the beauty of the shoreline during cold weather. While it may sound unorthodox, this activity can be incredibly rewarding, like a treasure hunt where each trip reveals new finds. So, bundle up, put on your boots, and embark on an adventurous day at the beach, even on cold winter days. 

Where to go Beachcombing

Maryland has miles of shoreline on the ocean and the bay. Each destination offers unique treasures, and you will have fun in either place. Lakes, riverbeds, sounds, and bays can have an incredible range of bounty that might not otherwise turn up on turbulent ocean shorelines. Urban shorelines often reveal beach glass, pottery shards, and historical items like clay pipes or square nails. On ocean beaches, you can discover beautiful shells and sea glass.

Finding Fossils

If you want to find fossils, the land surrounding the western side of the Chesapeake Bay in Southern Maryland boasts 30 miles of the most productive coastal fossil grounds in the entire United States. Every artifact has an interesting story to tell. You may be surprised to learn that certain pieces of broken rock, may be flakes of stone chipped from the forging of arrowheads and spear tips by American Indians thousands of years ago. Or that the plain, chalky white shells found on some beaches are 10 million-year-old fossils.

Calvert Cliffs State Park
Lusby | Calvert County
Open year round
1.8 mile one-way hike to the beach
$5 per vehicle

Flag Ponds Nature Park
Lusby | Calvert County
Open year round
Short walk to the beach, outdoor shower
April – October: $5 per vehicle (in-county residents), $15 (non-residents); November- March: $5 per vehicle

Purse Park
10200 Riverside Rd, Nanjemoy | Charles County
Open year round
Short walk to beach, no amenities. Easiest place to find fossils.
Free

Findings from Purse

Beachcombing for Glass and Shells

Fort Smallwood Park
Pasadena | Anne Arundel County
Open daily
$6/vehicle
Sea glass hunters are always looking for vibrant colored glass, and during the early 20th century the Bromo Seltzer plant had several locations on the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River. In Pasadena, the beach at Fort Smallwood Park catches the detritus leaving the Patapsco and is a hotspot for finding the cobalt remnants.

Sandy Point State Park
Annapolis | Anne Arundel County
Open year round
Weekends: $5 per person; Winter: $3 per vehicle
Sea glass   Sandy Point’s location on the Chesapeake Bay means it gets shells from both freshwater and saltwater sources. This creates a diverse range of shells to discover. Shells commonly found include oysters, clams, and mussels. Sea glass and driftwood also wash up on the shores for collectors to find.

Cove Point Beach
Lusby | Calvert County
Open year round.
Cove Point Beach in Calvert County, Maryland is a great spot for shell collectors. This beach offers a mix of sandy areas and pebbly sections, making it ideal for finding different types of shells.
Calvert Co Residents $9, non-residents $10.80

Betterton Beach
Betterton | Kent County
Open year round
Free. The beach offers a unique shelling experience due to its location. Shells from both the river and bay wash up on its shores

Terrapin State Nature Park
Stevensville | Queen Anne’s County
Open year round
Free. On the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay near the bridge. Wetlands, tidal ponds, woodlands, and sandy shoreline.

Point Lookout State Park
Scotland | St. Mary’s County
Open Year Round, daily
MD residents: $5 per person peak season, $3 per vehicle off-season
This park’s peaceful surroundings on a peninsula between the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County belie its history as the location of a camp which imprisoned as many as 52,264 Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Sea glass treasures. Some parts of the park are temporarily closed due to renovations. 

Betterton Beach

Beachcombing Tips 

Tread lightly. Be kind to nature. Avoid harming marine life; don’t collect live mollusks or dig excessively. Don’t leave behind a trail of debris, but instead, many bring along an extra bag to collect trash.

Go during daylight hours, rain or shine. Plan your beachcombing trips a few hours before or after low tide for the best finds. Beachcombing can be especially productive after a good storm, heavy rain, or during full moon times when the tides are more extreme.

Take your time. Move slowly and explore different areas of the beach. Treasures can often be found further up the strandline. 

Save your back. Squat or use tools like “grippers” to avoid frequent bending. Some people attach a sifter to the end of a handle to dig through the sand without bending over. Wash your hands with soap after your trip to the beach. 

Dress comfortably. Wear warm, comfortable clothing layers and bring essentials like hats, gloves, and tissues for cold weather. Waterproof boots and some sort of bag to carry your treasures are a good idea.

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