Fossil Excursion SOLD OUT

This event has sold out. Please email us to be placed on a waitlist.

Dating from the Miocene Epoch – approximately 15 to 6 million years ago, the Stratford Cliffs are part of a rare geological phenomenon ranking among the most important fossil research sites in the Mid-Atlantic region. Whether you are a seasoned collector, or this is your first experience, Stratford Hall is the place for you! Spend a day hunting for fossils along the shores of the Potomac River, explore the Stratford Cliffs, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the great outdoors.

Excursions last approximately 6 hours, weather permitting. During these trips, participants are accompanied by Stratford Hall employees and/or volunteer guides and given access to the restricted area of the beach which includes approximately 2.5 miles of riverfront.

Fossil hunting excursions are designed so that participants can set their own pace dependent upon their experience level and physical abilities. However, we do rate our fossil hunting excursions at a moderately strenuous activity level. Trips involve long periods of standing and walking, crossing slick or uneven surfaces, climbing over and/or under downed trees, and wading in water. Due to changes in weather conditions, water levels, and the influence of tides there are portions of the beach that may not be accessible at all by foot.

Please read our full FAQ document and note the following regarding check-in:

Guests should arrive at the Visitor Center prior to 9 a.m.

The door to the Visitor Center will not open before 9 a.m.

Guests must complete a release form and a collections management policy prior to going down to the beach, or they will not be given permission to go beyond the ropes.

Group sizes are approximately 40 participants per trip. Please be aware that while there are guides available during these excursions to ensure guest safety and assist with fossil hunting tips and identification, we do not classify these as “guided” experiences as the ratio of participants to guides is typically 7:1. Minimum age requirement for all fossil hunting excursions is 8 years old. Any participant under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Fossil hunting excursions are weather dependent activities and Stratford Hall reserves the right to cancel excursions at any time. A full refund will be given unless the cancellation is due to inclement weather, in which case a reschedule date will be provided. All participant cancellations require a 48-hour email notice before the excursion takes place. Absence from an excursion is nonrefundable. Refunds are the sole discretion of Stratford Hall and will be considered in such cases where there is an illness or emergency. All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to Mary Bowman at mbowman@stratfordhall.org.