Tucked into the rolling hills of Cecil County in northeastern Maryland, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area sprawls across 5,656 acres of piedmont landscape where open meadows meet mature hardwood forests. The park sits along the Big Elk Creek, which carves through the property and creates some of the most scenic stream valleys in the Maryland piedmont.

Fair Hill is best known for its extensive multi-use trail system — over 80 miles of paths winding through fields, forests, and stream crossings. Equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers share the network, and the terrain offers enough variety to keep repeat visitors engaged. The park also hosts internationally recognized equestrian events, including steeplechase and three-day eventing competitions that draw crowds each spring and fall.

Anglers will find quality trout fishing along Big Elk Creek, a stocked stream with catch-and-release sections. Hunting is permitted in designated areas during season, and the mix of forest and field habitat supports healthy populations of deer, turkey, and small game.

The covered bridge near the park’s entrance — one of the few remaining in Maryland — is worth a stop on its own. Nearby, the Fair Hill Nature and Environmental Center offers educational programs and a small museum focused on the area’s natural and cultural history.

Spring wildflower season and autumn foliage make the best times to visit, though the trails stay rideable and hikeable year-round. Fair Hill rewards those who come ready to explore at their own pace.

Explore Nearby

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