Did you know that 11 to 3 million years ago Chippokes State Park, the James River, and most of the Tidewater area of Virginia was all under water?
Join an Park interpreter on an adventure through the Fossil Beds of Chippokes to see what you can find!
There are many clues along the shoreline, preserved in the cliff formations, and scattered about in the James River that point to the Miocene and Pliocene Epochs. The Fossil Beds of Chippokes show evidence of large marine life that can be seen through the various shells of extinct species, teeth from different sea creatures such as many species of shark and the infamous Megalodon, and all sorts of bones that were covered, buried, and preserved in sediments through the passing of time.
Guests are welcome and encouraged to collect shark teeth, including Megalodon teeth! If you are lucky enough to find a Megalodon tooth, please share your findings with a Ranger so that they can document your discovery and celebrate your good fortune with you.
Meet in the Farm and Forestry Museum parking lot at 1:00 PM. The walk to the beach is approximately 0.3 miles.
Location: Chippokes State Park, 695 Chippokes Park Road, Surry, VA 23883
Program Time: 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM