Fair Hill is a 5,633 acre Natural Resources Management Area, where multiple management practices are employed for the maximum use and protection of Maryland's natural resources. Bordered by Pennsylvania to the north and less than one half mile west of Delaware, Fair Hill is known for its pristine fields, woodlands and natural beauty.
At one time one of the largest private land holdings in the East, Fair Hill was formerly owned by William duPont, Jr., an avid equestrian who acquired the farmland as a means to enjoying riding as well as fox chasing. Fair Hill was purchased by the state in 1975 from Mr. duPont's estate.
Fair Hill's attractions include the turf course, where steeplechase, timber course and flat races are held Memorial Day weekend with pari-mutuel wagering (www.fairhillraces.org). A pavilion is situated near the historic, rustic covered bridge where visitors frequently stop for picnic lunches. The fairgrounds host the annual Cecil County Fair where some 80,000 visitors attend the weeklong event (www.cecilcountyfair.org). Also located at the fairgrounds is the Edward L. Walls Activity Hall, with a capacity of 350 people. It includes kitchen and restroom facilities, and is available to rent for functions which further the mission of the Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service or the local agricultural community.
Fair Hill is open dawn to dusk. For more information check out our area map.
Hunting 2009-2010:
Managed Hunt: The Fair Hill NRMA Managed Hunt will be held January 11-12, 2010. The two-day lottery hunt is shot-gun only. Selected hunters will be required to qualify with the shot-gun that is used during the hunt. Qualification information will be provided to each successful applicant. Each qualified hunter will be required to purchase a Maryland Hunting License, as well as, a $35 Managed Hunt Permit (MHP).
Applications are now being accepted and are available online. Applications are also available on page 53 of the 2009–2010 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping. The deadline for applications is November 13, 2009. The drawing will be held on November 16, 2009 at 12:30 p.m. at the Gwynnbrook Wildlife Management Area Office located at 3740 Gwynnbrook Avenue, Owings Mills MD 21117.
Bow Hunting: The Fair Hill NRMA is open for Bow Hunting September 15, 2009 – January 31, 2010. All hunters must purchase a Maryland Hunting License, as well as, a $35 Managed Hunt Permit (MHP). Hunters are required to register at the Fair Hill NRMA office and obtain a valid Parking Permit. Rules and Regulations are available by clicking on the links below and are also available at the Fair Hill NRMA office.
Bow Hunting Map - Areas A, B, C, & D
Bow Hunting Map - Area E
Bow hunting parking lot street address for GPS navigation; all are located in Elkton, Maryland.
Area A - 55 Kennel Road
Area B - 483 Gallaher Road
Area C - 757 Training Center Drive
Area D - 5622 Telegraph Road
Area E - 553 Elk Mills Road
For additional information, please contact the Fair Hill NRMA office at (410) 398-1246.
Features:
- Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge, over Big Elk Creek, is situated near the Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center on Tawes Drive. It was constructed in 1860 for the Cecil County Commissioners, at a cost of $1,165. In 1994, the bridge received the State's Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Award. The covered bridge at Fair Hill is one of only two covered bridges in Cecil County.
- Anglers can test their skills on Big Elk Creek, which is a stocked, put-and-take trout stream and travels the entire length of the Fair Hill property. A variety of fish species can be caught in the creek. A Maryland Angler's License is required for all fishermen 16 years of age and older. A Maryland Trout Stamp is required to possess or keep trout. Consult your Maryland Fishing Guide for additional information. Disabled parking is available as well as a disabled-accessible fishing pier.
- A blazed trail extends from each parking lot and joins the park's extensive trail system (approximately 80 miles). The multi-use trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians alike. Guided trail rides, hay rides and stabling are available to the public from the Fair Hill Stables (410-620-3883). A color trail map can be obtained at the park office, or by sending $6 in a self-addressed stamp envelope.
- All hunting at Fair Hill is by permit only. Contact the Fair Hill office for details. Hunting opportunities include whitetail bow hunting, raccoon hunting and a managed shotgun hunt for whitetail deer.
- The Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center is another facility located on the property. The Nature Center staff conducts educational nature tours for students and provides summer day camps for school age children. The facility is operated by the non-profit Fair Hill Environmental Foundation, Inc. For information call 410-398-4909.
- Fair Hill offers two youth group "primitive" camping areas to members of recognized organizations which consist of youth 17 years of age and younger. Groups must be accompanied by a responsible adult (age 21 years and older), at a ratio of one adult for every five youth. Many of the groups have completed an environmental project in appreciation for use of the area.
- Also offered at Fair Hill are "Equestrian Camping Facilities" that include ten camp pads with electric and water hook-ups and 119 stalls for stabling horses. Equestrian camping facilities are available to groups and individuals by reservation only. For more information or to make a reservation, please call our park office at 410-398-1246.
- Fair Hill is also the location of the annual Colonial Highland Gathering (Scottish Games). "Spend a day in Scotland" on the third Saturday of May each year to hear the March of the Massed Pipes and Drums, shop in the Scottish Marketplace, watch traditional Scottish Events and the Sheepdog Trials. More information is available at www.fairhillscottishgames.org.
- Come and enjoy Fair Hill International's "Festival in the Country", an international equestrian competition, held in October each year. Watch the CCI***, Endurance and Driving Equestrian Events along with visiting the Country Shops, local food vendors and the Competitive Dog Trials. More information is available at www.fairhillinternational.com.
Trail Guide
Check out a copy of the Fair Hill NRMA Trail Guide. This trail guide, complete with a topographical map of the hiking, biking and equestrian trails, is available for sale at park headquarters.
To purchase copies of the Fair Hill NRMA Trail Guide with a check, please "click" on this link to print an order form. Visitors are required to purchase an honor system pass daily ($3 Maryland residents; $4 out-of-state visitors) to help offset maintenance and operational costs. A park pass can be obtained from an Honor Box, located in each of the five designated parking lots. An annual pass ($75 Maryland residents; $100 out-of-state visitors) can be obtained from the park office. The annual pass may be displayed on the dashboards of all vehicles registered to the same household.
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Fair Hill offers an accessible race track restroom, office, Walls Activity Hall, fairgrounds, and an accessible fishing per at the Covered Bridge over Big Elk Creek. The creek is stocked for trout twice a year and there are panfish year round.
For additional accessible amenities in Maryland State Forests and Parks, visit the Accessibility For All section of this website.
Fair Hill NRMA was featured in the DNR magazine, The Natural Resource, check out Fair Hill, Sharing the Secret.
Location: In Cecil County, exit 100 off Interstate 95 North toward Rising Sun on Route 272 North. Take a right on Rt. 273 and follow to the intersection of Rt. 273 and 213, proceed through the traffic light - Fair Hill entrance to fairgrounds, race barns, Walls Hall and riding stables is 300 yards on the right.
Office and Maintenance Shop Directions: From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection, travel East on Rt. 273 one half mile to Entrance Road #3. Turn right and make an immediate left on Ranger Skinner Drive. Turn left on Kennel/Training Center Road. Travel one-half mile and turn right on Tawes Drive. Office is located at the corner of Tawes Drive and Training Center Road. The maintenance shop is located just down Tawes Drive from the Office.
Directions to Honor System Parking Lots for Day Use:
NOTE: Street addresses are included for GPS navigation, and all are located in Elkton, Maryland.
- Parking Lot #1 (4609 Telegraph Road) - Proceed East on Rt. 273 at the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection for approximately one half mile. Parking lot entrance is directly across Rt. 273 from Entrance Road #2.
- Parking Lot #2 (793 Tawes Drive) - Located at the Covered Bridge. Follow directions at the Fair Hill NRMA office. Continue one mile past the office on Tawes Drive to the Covered Bridge.
- Parking Lot #3 (2895 Appleton Road) - Also known as the North Appleton Parking Lot. From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection, proceed East on Rt. 273 to the intersection with Appleton Road. Turn left on Appleton Road, proceeding approximately one mile to the intersection of Appleton Road and Black Bridge Road. Parking lot is located immediately on your left.
- Parking Lot #4 (1987 Appleton Road) - Also known as the South Appleton Parking Lot. From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection, proceed East on Rt. 273 to the intersection with Appleton Road. Turn right on Appleton Road, proceeding approximately one half mile. Parking lot is located on the right side of the road.
- Parking Lot #5 (483 Gallaher Road) - Also known as the Gallaher Road Parking Lot. From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection, proceed East on Rt. 273 to the intersection with Gallaher Road. Turn right on Gallaher Road and proceed to the Gallaher Road/Big Elk Chapel intersection. Parking lot is located at the intersection.
Fair Hill N.R.M.A.
300 Tawes Drive
Elkton, MD 21921
(410) 398-1246
Volunteers are needed to help with park activities. Also, all trail users are invited to come out and help maintain trails at Fair Hill every second Saturday of the month. Volunteers meet at the Fair Hill Maintenance Shop at 9 a.m., weather permitting. Please call us at (410) 398-1246 if you would like to help.
Funding for Maryland's State and local parks and conservation areas is provided through The Department of Natural Resources' Program Open Space. Established in 1969, Program Open Space symbolizes Maryland's long term commitment to conserving natural resources while providing exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities.