MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

FAIR HILL NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AREA

​SPECIAL NOTICE: Traffic Detour​​
Please be aware of a closure on Appleton Road north of Fair Hill NRMA's North Appleton parking lot. Please click here for details.

Highlights

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Information
​410-398-1246 (Office) / 410-218-1698 (Duty Ranger)​​​
​​E-mail Fair Hill NRMA​
Sunrise to sunset​

​ Make an Equestrian Camping Request

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​ Make a Special​ Event R​equest​​

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Fair Hill NRMA​​​​
300 Tawes Drive
Elkton, MD 21921​​​

View the DNR Ev​ents Ca​lendar ​
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View Fair Hi​ll's ​Upcoming Events ​

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​​​​​​​​​​​horse and rider​​

Things To K​now​​​
En español​
​ Fees and Hours of Operation​
​ Park Passes​
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Welcome!​

Fair Hill is a 5,656 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 e​questrian rider who acquired the farmland as a means to enjoy riding as well as fox chasing. Fair Hill was purchased by the state in 1975 from Mr. duPont's estate.​

 

The storied tradition of Eventing at iconic Fair Hill continues with the Maryland 5 Star every October at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Maryland!​ One of only two 5 Star events in the United States, and seventh worldwide, the prestigious 5 Star designation is the pinnacle of the sport of Eventing, best described as an equestrian triathlon. The event showcases four days of competition in Dressage, Cross-Country and Show Jumping.

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​For more information, visit the Maryland 5 Star website: https://bityl.co/​EQnP



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Attention Park Visitors

 

Please be aware that Appleton Road will be closed to thru traffic, just north of Fair Hill NRMA’s North Appleton Parking Lot (Lot 3: 2941 Appleton Road, Elkton, MD 21921), beginning on Monday, January 6th 2025. The road closure is being put in place to allow for the replacement of the Appleton Road Bridge, which connects the main body of the park to the property’s William Howard Skinner Area (WHSA). Access to the WHSA is still available by means of the Appleton Road tunnel, which is approximately 1/3 mile south of the parking lot. The road closure will be in effect for approximately 75 days, though the project’s progress is contingent on weather conditions. A marked detour will be in place. Please note that the North Appleton Parking Lot will be accessible for the duration of the project by driving northbound on Appleton Road from MD 273.

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Feel free to contact the park office (fairhill.dnr@maryland.gov or 410-398-1246) with any questions. We appreciate your patience as this necessary improvement project takes place!!

Click here to view the complete traffic detour

Click here to view the trail detour

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Details about the Park

Information​

 

​Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area State Park Information

Location:
300 Tawes Drive
Elkton, MD 21921

Contact:
410-398-1246 Office
410-218-1698 Duty Ranger
​​E-mail Fair Hill NRMA ​

Driving Directions:

Fairgrounds: In Cecil County, take exit 100 off Interstate 95 North and follow Rt. 272 North toward Rising Sun. Take a right on Rt. 273 and follow to the intersection of Rts. 273 and 213. Proceed straight through the traffic light, entrances to the Tea Barn, racetrack, fairgrounds, Walls Activity Hall, equestrian camping area and riding stables will appear on your 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 (4646 Telegraph Road) - Heading east on Rt. 273: At the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection drive one half mile. Parking lot entrance will be on your left directly across Entrance Road #2.
  • Parking Lot #2 (Fair Hill NRMA Parking Lot #2 Black Bridge Road) - Located near 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 will be on your left.
  • Parking Lot #3 (2941 Appleton Road) - Also known as the North Appleton Parking Lot. From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection: Drive east on Rt. 273 until the intersection with Appleton Road. Turn left on Appleton Road, drive approximately one mile to the intersection of Appleton Road and Black Bridge Road. Parking lot is located on your left.
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  • Parking Lot #4 (491 Gallaher Road) - Also known as the Gallaher Road Parking Lot. From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection: Drive 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 on your right.
  • Parking Lot #5 (2000 Appleton Road) - Also known as the South Appleton Parking Lot. From the Rt. 273/Rt. 213 intersection: Drive east on Rt. 273 until the intersection with Appleton Road. Turn right on Appleton Road; drive approximately one half mile. Parking lot is located on the right side of the road.


Hours of Operation:
Sunrise to sunset

​​​ Certain activities are permitted outside of the regular park hours (e.g. fishing, hunting where permitted). Please check with the park before your visit if you plan to engage in an activity which requires you to be in the park before or after the posted hours.

Hunting Policy:

  • Archery-only hunting for white-tailed deer is permitted in designated hunting areas. Daily sign-in is required. In addition to their Maryland Hunting License and bow stamp, hunters must also possess a Free Public Hunting Permit.​
  • Click Here​ to review Fair Hill NRMA's 2023-2024 Bow Hunting Rules and Regulation.
  • Raccoon hunting by permit (reservation required)
  • Falconry hunting by permit (reservation required)

Pet Policy:
Pets are allowed in most areas of Fair Hill NRMA and must remain leashed. Pets are not allowed in the Tea Barn or Walls Activity Hall.​

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Camping

 
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​Equestrian Camping

Equestrian camping facilities are available by reservation only

For more information, please call our park office at 410-398-1246, Monday- Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. or email​ ​​fairhill.dnr@maryland.gov

Equestrian Camping Facilities include:

  • 10 camp pads with electric and water hook-ups
  • 119 stalls for stabling horses

​​Download the Equestrian Camping Rules and Regulations

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Youth Group Primitive Camping

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.

For information or to make a reservation, call 410-398-1246, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Special Event Reservations

 
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Greetings Special Event Coordinators!


Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area schedules and hosts a wide variety of special events each year, ranging from Equestrian Shows and Competitions based out of the Fair Hill Fairgrounds and Foxcatcher Arena, to community and agricultural fundraisers, workshops, and festivals centered around the Walls Activity Hall and surrounding fairgrounds facilities. Field and trail based events such as Mountain Bike Races, Trail Running Races and Fundraisers, Equestrian Endurance Rides, Paperchases, and Carriage Driving Clinics and Competitions in addition to Dog Tracking Competitions and SAR Trainings, Land Navigation Drills and Orienteering Competitions have all been able to find a place within Fair Hill NRMA's 5,600-acre landscape of rolling hills and woodlands. We invite you to explore Fair Hill NRMA as a potential venue to host your special event.

Please complete the questionnaire on the Fair Hill NRMA website home page titled: "Click here to put in a Special Event request". Please note that submitting this form constitutes a request ONLY, and does NOT guarantee the dates for your reservation. Upon receipt, we will review and process the request, generate a reservation form, and send you an email confirming your reservation. We will then contact you by phone to process your non-refundable $10 reservation service charge, a​nd any other applic​able facility charges, payable by Visa and Masterc​ard​​.

Individual event requests will only be considered and processed up to one-year in advance of the requested date(s). Tentative reservation dates will not be held.

Fair Hill NRMA Reservation Packet

** ATTENTION ** If you are a "New-to-Fair Hill" Event Coordinator, you must conduct an initial meeting with Fair Hill NRMA's Assistant Park Manager, Eric Waciega, to review your individual event request. This step MUST take place before you are authorized to officially process a special event reservation re​quest. Please complete the following questionnaire and send a follow-up email to Eric.Waciega@maryland.gov.


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Fair Hill Rental Facilities

 

​Fair Hill NRMA Rental Facilties/Reservation Service Charges​


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All Special Events, commercial or non-charitable, that charge a gate admission or a participant registration fee may be subject to pay a certain percentage of said c​harge as a component of their overall reservation charge. Details will be discussed during the Use Agreement negotiation process.

PLEASE NOTE: Service charges are subject to change at any time and without formal notice.

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​Reservable Facilities​ With Standard Rates​​

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Race Barn Equestrian Camping Area:
  • Camp Pad (Water and 30-amp electric hook-up)
    $35.00 per night

  • Field Camping Site
    $20.00 per night

  • Horse Stall
    $15.00 per night

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Fair Hill Fairgrounds Area:
  • Edward L. Walls Activity Hall (3-day, weekend rental)
    $700.00 per weekend
    Maximum Capacity of 350 people (closes at 11 p.m.)

  • ​Additional day added to the standard rental
    ​$250.00 per day

  • ​Fair Hill Fairgrounds (3-day, weekend rental is encouraged)
    $250.00 per day
    Includes Concession Building, Stafford Pavilion, and Lower Field

  • Concession Stand (without Fairgrounds Rental)
    ​$150.00 per day

  • Lower Field (without Fairgrounds Rental)
    $50.00 per day

  • Foxcatcher Arena (3-day, weekend rental is encouraged)
    $150.00 per day

  • ​Public Address System
    ​$50.00 per event
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Special Events Zone (SEZ):
  • Tea Barn (3-day, weekend rental)
    $400.00 per weekend
    Maximum Capacity of 125 people (closes at 11 p.m.)

  • ​Additional day added to the standard rental
    $150.00 per day

  • Tea Barn Paddock Area
    $150.00 per event

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Field and Trail Event Zones:
  • Field and Trail Event Zone 1
    $125.00 per day
    Telegraph Road or Covered Bridge Parking

  • Field and Trail Event Zone 2
    $125.00 per day
    North Appleton Parking

  • Field and Trail Event Zone 3
    $125.00 per day
    Fairgrounds (additional cost) or Gallaher Road Parking

  • Field and Trail Event Zone 4
    $125.00 per day
    ​Gallaher Road or South Appleton Parking

  • ​Day Use Service Charge
    ​$3.00 per person / day
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Field Event Zone Map ​​ ​
​Other Special Event Service Charges:
  • Non-Refundable Reservation Processing Fee
    $10.00 per reservation

  • ​​Reservation Change Fee
    $5.00 per change

  • ​ Youth Group Camping Sites​
    $2.00 per person / night
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  • ​Alcohol Permit
    ​​$35.00 per event

  • ​Firewood
    ​$25.00 per Gator load
    Firewood bins at each YG Site hold two Gator Loads
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  • ​“Rain Date” Reservation Charge
    ​50% total reservation cost
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​Security Deposits Required:
  • Edward L. Walls Activity Hall
    $300.00 per event

  • Tea Barn
    $300.00 per event

  • Trail Usage / Trail Markers
    ​$300.00 per event
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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONT​ACT THE FAIR HILL NRMA OFFICE AT 410-398-1246 OR EMAIL FAIRHILL.DNR@MARYLAND.GOV

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Trail System

 
Fair Hill Trail  

Fair Hill NRMA's approximately 80-mile trail system provides multi-use and shared-use options for outdoor enthusiasts including hikers, runners, bikers and equestrians alike.

Some trails are not designed to equestrian specification and are marked accordingly.

A color trail map can be obtained at the park office M-F from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the kiosks in the Day Use Parking Lots. Click here to download the map.

Hunting

 
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​Bow Hunting

Fair Hill NRMA offers bow hunting for white-tailed deer in designated areas for licensed hunters possessing a Central Region Hunt Permit and Managed Hunt Permit. Daily sign-in is required.


Raccoon Hunting

Fair Hill NRMA offers raccoon hunting in designated areas for licensed hunters. Daily reservations are required.


Falconry Hunting

Fair Hill NRMA has a falconry hunting program in designated areas. Daily reservations are required.


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Fishing

 
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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.

Self-Guided Activities

 
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Check out what's going on at Fair Hill by visiting the links below or sign up to receive monthly updates here.

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Current Activities

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Volunteer Opportunities

 

Trail Maintenance

Currently, the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area is conducting monthly trail work parties for volunteers interested in assisting park staff with maintaining trails. The work parties are held the second Saturday of each month (April-October), meeting at 9 a.m. at the Fair Hill NRMA Maintenance Complex located on Tawes Drive.

Other Volunteer Opportunities

For volunteer opportunities that are of an individual or local nature and/or associated with schools, clubs or businesses, please contact us​ at fairhill.dnr@maryland.gov.

Fair Hill Nature Center

 
Fair Hill Nature Center  

Fair Hill Nature Center is dedicated to environmental education and connecting people to nature. We serve over 7,500 people annually, including over 5,000 public school students.

​We have community events throughout the year including our Trout Release, Frog Frenzy, Fall Festival, Art Festival, Guided Nature HIkes, and our Fox Trot 5K. We host homeschool groups and our Budding Naturalist Preschool Program as well. We also have 9 weeks of summer camp for ages 5-13, getting kids off screens and in nature!

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Hours:

Open by appt only during the week for field trips and private programming.
Open to the general public weekends May - Sept from 10am - 3pm.
Grounds are open Dawn to dusk.​

Address:

Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center
630 Tawes Drive
Elkton, MD 21921-2122

Email: info@fairhillnature.org

Website: www.fairhillnature.org

Phone: 410-398-4909



Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge​

 
Foxcatcher Farms Covered Bridge  

Foxcatcher Farm Covered Bridge, over Big Elk Creek, is situated near the Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center on Tawes Drive (www.fairhillnature.org).

It was constructed in 1860 for the Cecil County Commissioners, at a cost of $1,165. The covered bridge at Fair Hill is one of only two covered bridges in Cecil County.

In 1994, the bridge received the State's Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Award.

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Featured Events

Click the Flyer for Details!​

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Trails and Trail Maps​

Fair Hill NRMA's approximately 80-mile trail system provides multi-use and shared-use options for outdoor enthusiasts including hikers, runners, bikers and equestrians alike.

Some trails are not designed to equestrian specification and are marked accordingly.​

A color trail map can be obtained at the park office M-F from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or at the kiosks in the Day Use Parking Lots. 

​ See Map​

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