Calvert Cliffs State Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Calvert Cliffs State Park is situated in Lusby, Maryland and offers visitors a unique combination of sandy beaches, scenic hiking trails, and rich fossil hunting grounds.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park is best known for its towering cliffs that date back millions of years and are filled with fossils of prehistoric species. Visitors can explore the area's rich geological history and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Maryland's shoreline.

There are several good reasons to visit Calvert Cliffs State Park, including hiking, camping, swimming, and fossil hunting. The park's hiking trails are well-maintained and offer stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay. Visitors can also spend a day at the park's beach, which features a bathhouse and picnic area.

The park's most notable feature is its cliffs, which are over 40 million years old and contain a variety of fossils, including shark teeth, whale bones, and prehistoric shells. Fossil hunting is a popular activity at the park and visitors are encouraged to bring their own tools and containers to collect specimens.

In addition to its natural attractions, Calvert Cliffs State Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, ospreys, and foxes. The best time to visit the park is in the spring and fall when temperatures are milder and the foliage is at its most vibrant.

Overall, Calvert Cliffs State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Maryland's natural beauty and geological history. With its stunning cliffs, scenic hiking trails, and rich fossil hunting grounds, it offers visitors a unique and memorable experience.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks