Westmoreland State Park — Fossil Beach
Montross, Virginia
fossil shark teethmiocene shell fossilsfossil bone fragments
State park dig · Fee
Westmoreland State Park — Fossil Beach
The Horsehead Cliffs shed Miocene material onto the Potomac shore below, and Virginia DCR says plainly that fossil collectors hunt ancient shark teeth along the Potomac here. Walk the Big Meadow Trail down from the visitor center and work the beach gravel at the waterline rather than the cliff face, which is unstable. Rangers run guided fossil hikes from Memorial Day to Labor Day, which is the fastest way to learn what a worn tooth looks like against wet sand.
The card catalog
| What you can find | fossil shark teeth, miocene shell fossils, fossil bone fragments |
|---|---|
| Access | State park dig — Fee |
| Fees | Standard Virginia State Parks daily parking fee, roughly $7-$10 per vehicle depending on season; no separate collecting fee. |
| Season & hours | Beach accessible year-round; fossil hiking, kayaking and night hiking programs run Memorial Day through Labor Day. A construction project has closed the cabins through May 2027 along with the paddle-in campsite and one picnic shelter, and the park can hit capacity and close its gate on busy days — but Big Meadow Trail, Fossil Beach and the Day Use Beach stay open. Low tide after a storm is the productive window. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — It is a walk down the Big Meadow Trail to Fossil Beach and back up again — the return climb is the hard part for small legs. Ranger-led fossil hikes take the guesswork out. |
| Official source | Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia State Parks |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Westmoreland State Park — Fossil Beach cost?
Standard Virginia State Parks daily parking fee, roughly $7-$10 per vehicle depending on season; no separate collecting fee. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Westmoreland State Park — Fossil Beach open?
Beach accessible year-round; fossil hiking, kayaking and night hiking programs run Memorial Day through Labor Day. A construction project has closed the cabins through May 2027 along with the paddle-in campsite and one picnic shelter, and the park can hit capacity and close its gate on busy days — but Big Meadow Trail, Fossil Beach and the Day Use Beach stay open. Low tide after a storm is the productive window. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Westmoreland State Park — Fossil Beach good for kids?
Yes — Westmoreland State Park — Fossil Beach works for families. It is a walk down the Big Meadow Trail to Fossil Beach and back up again — the return climb is the hard part for small legs. Ranger-led fossil hikes take the guesswork out.