Big Brook Nature Preserve

Bethany Gibson

The fossil beds used to be cool. Unfortunately, people are ruining it by causing rapid erosion by digging into the sides of the bed. Also leaving trash, broken glass, and taking way more fossils than allowed. Pickings are pretty slim right now. If you're into geology you can find some nice rocks. Parking is pretty bad.

Overseer Zeta

There are fossils everywhere. You might think those are fake but they are 100% true, you just have to look in the right areas. You will find shark teeth 100%, just be careful. You will also find Squid Pens as they are very common and are very long in size. No tickets or anything needed apart from tools. Although you will have to dig just a bit to find something decent.

Cynthia Fitzpatrick

I had a great time visiting and looking for fossils. The shade over the creek kept the hot temperature much cooler. The water was anywhere from ankle deep to mid calf and wasn't too cold. It was more of a refreshing temperature. There were lots of bugs, so I'd recommend to bring bug spray. As far as tools, I brought a lot of different things. I found that a colander with small holes works best, as well as a garden trowel with high sides. I also brought tiny containers for my finds from the dollar store. There is no need to get crazy and spend a lot on the equipment or to bring large homemade sifters made out of wooden frames and mesh screening. They are going to be too heavy and cumbersome. I'm telling you this because I'm both an archeologist and a paleontologist. I spent a few hours there and found 3/4 of a shark tooth. My cousin found a cephlopod casing. We also found some pretty rocks. There is quite a bit of broken glass in the water, so definitely wear water shoes, old sneakers, or wader boots. Don't forget to pack a lunch, a beach or camping chair, and a gallon jug of water to get the dirt off your feet before changing back into your everyday shoes. Enjoy your time outdoors with friends and family searching for fossils!

S Ramesh

A great place on a summer day to dip your feet in a refreshing brook and sieve the rocks for fossils from the Cretaceous period. We love going, and kids do too. We have found lots of fossil shark teeth, squid tubes, fish vertebrae and 1 dinosaur tooth. Note: fossils aren't always obvious and easy to identify - it's a good idea to go online and see pictures of what the fossils from this region of New Jersey look like - Cretaceous Era fossils that are mostly marine animals. Also some days are better than others - after a big rainfall wears out the rocks, you can get a few weeks of good searching