Purse State Park / Nanjemoy WMA Shoreline
Nanjemoy, MD (Charles County), Maryland
paleocene shark teethotodus teethsand tiger teethfossil shells
State-designated locality · Free
Purse State Park / Nanjemoy WMA Shoreline
This stretch of Potomac shoreline in Charles County is Paleocene rather than Miocene — roughly twice the age of the Calvert Cliffs beds — so the teeth run small, about a quarter inch to an inch, with sand tiger and Otodus the usual catch. Maryland DNR states that the beaches of the Purse Area at the southern end of the Nanjemoy WMA are known for fossil hunting. Nothing here is developed: no fee, no facilities, and a scramble to reach the water.
The card catalog
| What you can find | paleocene shark teeth, otodus teeth, sand tiger teeth, fossil shells |
|---|---|
| Access | State-designated locality — Free |
| Fees | Free; no entrance fee. No restrooms, no potable water, no developed facilities. A free Southern Region Public Hunting Permit is required for hunting only, not for beachcombing. |
| Season & hours | Open seven days a week, year-round, in daylight. Hunting is permitted across the surrounding 1,830-acre Nanjemoy WMA in accordance with open seasons, bag limits and shooting hours — check dates and wear blaze orange in fall. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — The walk in is rough and unimproved and there are no restrooms or water; workable with sure-footed grade-schoolers, not with toddlers. |
| Official source | Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources — Nanjemoy Wildlife Management Area |
| 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 Purse State Park / Nanjemoy WMA Shoreline cost?
Free; no entrance fee. No restrooms, no potable water, no developed facilities. A free Southern Region Public Hunting Permit is required for hunting only, not for beachcombing. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Purse State Park / Nanjemoy WMA Shoreline open?
Open seven days a week, year-round, in daylight. Hunting is permitted across the surrounding 1,830-acre Nanjemoy WMA in accordance with open seasons, bag limits and shooting hours — check dates and wear blaze orange in fall. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Purse State Park / Nanjemoy WMA Shoreline good for kids?
Yes — Purse State Park / Nanjemoy WMA Shoreline works for families. The walk in is rough and unimproved and there are no restrooms or water; workable with sure-footed grade-schoolers, not with toddlers.