Fossil Hunting in Delaware
Why Delaware?
Delaware is the second-smallest state, but the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal corridor is a surprisingly productive fossil hunting area. The canal cuts through Cretaceous and Miocene marine sediments, and periodic dredging brings fresh material to spoil banks where collectors can surface hunt with ease. For Mid-Atlantic fossil enthusiasts, it is one of the most accessible sites in the region and an excellent destination for beginners.
What You’ll Find
Shark teeth are the main draw, including Cretaceous species like Squalicorax and Scapanorhynchus, plus Miocene species from the Calvert Formation equivalent deposits. Marine bivalves, especially oysters like Exogyra, are abundant in Cretaceous layers. Gastropods, belemnites, and occasional crab claws also turn up. The mix of Cretaceous and Miocene material in canal spoil can be confusing at first, but learning to distinguish the darker Cretaceous fossils from lighter Miocene ones is part of the fun.
Best Time to Visit
Late fall through early spring is ideal. Low vegetation along the spoil banks makes surface collecting easier, and cooler temperatures are comfortable for walking. After heavy rains, freshly washed surfaces expose new material. Summer visits are possible but expect thick vegetation, heat, and mosquitoes along the canal.
Tips for Delaware Collecting
The C&D Canal spoil banks are the primary destination. Park at designated areas along Route 9 or at the Corps of Engineers recreation areas and walk the spoil piles. A small garden rake or trowel helps sift through loose sediment. Screen washing gravel near the waterline can produce small shark teeth efficiently. Stay off the canal walls themselves and obey any posted restrictions. Delaware’s coastal plain is flat, so walking is easy. Combine a trip with a visit to nearby sites in Maryland or New Jersey for a full Mid-Atlantic fossil weekend.
Collecting Sites
Chesapeake & Delaware Canal
Free Public AccessDelaware City, New Castle County
Spoil banks along the canal expose Cretaceous and Miocene sediments rich in marine fossils. One of the best collecting areas in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Big Brook equivalent outcrops
Private (Permission Needed)Middletown, New Castle County
Cretaceous exposures in stream cuts on private land. Permission required from landowners.
Legal Rules for Delaware
Collecting is allowed along the C&D Canal spoil banks, which are managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Stay on spoil piles and do not dig into canal walls. No permits are required for casual surface collecting. State parks generally prohibit collecting without permission.
Read our full legal guide for federal laws and more details.
Key Geological Formations
- Merchantville Formation (Late Cretaceous)
- Mount Laurel Formation (Late Cretaceous)
- Calvert Formation (Miocene)
- Chesapeake Group (Miocene)