Flag Ponds Nature Park
Lusby, Maryland
fossil shark teethmiocene shellsray dental plates
Public land, rules apply · Fee, seasonal
Flag Ponds Nature Park
Flag Ponds puts you on the same Miocene shoreline as Calvert Cliffs after a much shorter walk, which makes it the sensible first stop with young children. Maryland DNR lists this Calvert County park among the public places where fossilized shark teeth wash up naturally and can be collected from the surf; as everywhere along this coast, the cliffs themselves are off limits. Boardwalks and observation platforms make it a decent half-day even when the teeth are hiding.
The card catalog
| What you can find | fossil shark teeth, miocene shells, ray dental plates |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | Calvert County charges by season and residency: $5 per vehicle November through March, then April through October $5 for county residents and $20 for everyone else. Walking or biking in is $5 per person, and an annual pass runs $30 for residents, $60 for non-residents. Park office: (410) 586-1477. |
| Season & hours | Open year-round on a seasonal schedule. Memorial Day through Labor Day it runs 9am-6pm weekdays and 9am-8pm weekends; the rest of the year it opens Monday and Friday 9am-4pm and weekends 9am-5pm, and closes Tuesday through Thursday. Last entry and beach closing are an hour before the gate. Maryland DNR notes that shark teeth wash up in the surf especially during low tide and after storms. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — The walk to the beach is far shorter than Calvert Cliffs' 1.8 miles, which is exactly why families with small children start here. Check the day of the week before you commit — the park is shut Tuesday through Thursday outside the summer season. |
| Official source | Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources |
| 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 Flag Ponds Nature Park cost?
Calvert County charges by season and residency: $5 per vehicle November through March, then April through October $5 for county residents and $20 for everyone else. Walking or biking in is $5 per person, and an annual pass runs $30 for residents, $60 for non-residents. Park office: (410) 586-1477. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Flag Ponds Nature Park open?
Open year-round on a seasonal schedule. Memorial Day through Labor Day it runs 9am-6pm weekdays and 9am-8pm weekends; the rest of the year it opens Monday and Friday 9am-4pm and weekends 9am-5pm, and closes Tuesday through Thursday. Last entry and beach closing are an hour before the gate. Maryland DNR notes that shark teeth wash up in the surf especially during low tide and after storms. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Flag Ponds Nature Park good for kids?
Yes — Flag Ponds Nature Park works for families. The walk to the beach is far shorter than Calvert Cliffs' 1.8 miles, which is exactly why families with small children start here. Check the day of the week before you commit — the park is shut Tuesday through Thursday outside the summer season.