Virginia Fossil Beaches and Fairy Stones
Virginia state parks generally protect rocks and fossils, but a few parks have designated places where visitors may collect.
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| Shark teeth | Westmoreland State Park beaches and Fossil Beach |
|---|---|
| Fossil shells | York River and Chippokes state parks |
| Fairy stones | Designated area on Route 57, Fairy Stone State Park; small number, no digging tools |
| Best time | Low tide after storms |
| Not allowed | Digging into cliffs without a special-use permit; Shenandoah National Park |
Shark teeth on the rivers
- Westmoreland State Park on the Potomac: Miocene shark teeth, shells and whale bone fragments wash out of the Horsehead Cliffs. Collect along the day-use beach and at Fossil Beach, reached by a trail from the visitor center. Digging into the cliffs is illegal without a special-use permit. A kitchen sieve helps; shovels do not belong there.
- York River State Park: Pliocene shells and scallops on the fossil beach.
- Chippokes State Park on the James River: fossil shells and the occasional shark tooth. Ask at the office about current access.
The best searching is at low tide after storms. Stay away from cliff bases, which collapse without warning.
Fairy stones
Fairy stones are staurolite crystals twinned into crosses. At Fairy Stone State Park near Stuart, visitors may take a small number for personal use from the designated hunting area on Route 57 east of the park entrance. No digging tools are allowed; sift loose soil by hand. Collecting is not allowed elsewhere in the park.
Other options
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests allow small-scale personal collecting with hand tools. Shenandoah National Park and Natural Bridge are look-only.
Questions
Can I collect shark teeth at Westmoreland State Park?
Yes, on the beaches. Digging into the cliffs is illegal without a special-use permit.
Where do I find fairy stones?
In the designated hunting area of Fairy Stone State Park on Route 57. A small number may be taken for personal use.
Can I use tools to dig for fairy stones?
No digging tools are allowed. Sift loose soil by hand.
When is the best time to find fossils on Virginia beaches?
At low tide after storms or high water.
Back to the Virginia rockhounding guide · Rules by land type