[1] The formation is primarily unconsolidated white-grey or orange-brown sand and gravel, with minor clay and silt.

Sandy beds may be crossbedded, which is evidence of shallow water origin.The Patuxent is the basal unit of the Coastal Plain sedimentary formations and unconformably overlies the crystalline basement rocks.

[3] A diverse ichnofauna is known from the formation, comprising the trackways of dinosaurs, pterosaurs, mammals, turtles, and amphibians.

[4] Notably, a high proportion of these dinosaur prints appear to be from hatchlings, suggesting nesting sites were located nearby.

[6] A particularly diverse trackway series deposited in a former wetland environment is known from the vicinity of Goddard Space Flight Center.

[6] Propanoplosaurus, a nodosaurid known from a single natural cast and mold of a hatchling, was found recovered from rocks belonging to the Patuxent Formation in Maryland.