Fair Hill NRMA

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 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. The Tea Barn, located at the west end of Fair Hill Drive, is a popular venue for weddings and birthday parties. It has a capacity of 125 people.

Fair Hill is open dawn to dusk.

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, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• 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.

Hunting:

Bow Hunting

The 2012-2013 Bow Hunting Season at the Fair Hill NRMA commences September 7, 2012 and extends through January 31, 2013. The designated bow hunting areas are comprised of approximately 1800 acres. All hunters must register at the Fair Hill NRMA office located at 300 Tawes Drive, Elkton, MD, 21921 and must present a valid Maryland Hunting License and a Managed Hunt Permit. Please contact the park office for additional information. Click here for Bow Hunting Rules and Regulations. To view bow hunting maps A, B, C and D, click here. Please note: Area “D” does not open for bow hunting until November 1, 2011. To view bow hunting map E, click here.

Hunters are permitted to enter one hour before sunrise and exit one hour after sunset, provided that they are engaged in legitimate, authorized hunting activity.

Raccoon Hunting

Designated areas of the park are open to Raccoon Hunting from October 15, 2012 through March 15, 2013. Raccoon hunting is allowed by permit only. All hunters must present a valid Maryland Hunting License, a Managed Hunt Permit and a Fur Bearers Permit at time of registration. Please contact the park for permit information, as well as, rules and regulations and maps.

Pet Policy

• Pets are allowed in Fair Hill NRMA.

Volunteer Opportunities

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.

For volunteer opportunities that are of an individual or local nature and/or associated with schools, clubs or businesses, please contact the Fair Hill NRMA office at 410-398-1246.

Bandana Map

A colorful bandana map of the NRMA is available for sale through this website, or by following the mail in instructions below.

Purchase copies of the Fair Hill NRMA Bandana Map through our online store.

To purchase copies of the Fair Hill NRMA Bandana Map 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; $5 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.

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.

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 (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.

• Parking Lot #5 (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.