Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area provides horse camping in Maryland's countryside with direct access to over 80 miles of trails specifically designed for equestrian use. The campground offers electric hookups for RVs and tent camping areas where horses can be accommodated nearby. While no dedicated horse corrals are available on-site, the area permits horses throughout the property with appropriate containment methods brought by owners. Campsites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets. The campground maintains clean facilities with trash collection available, making longer stays with horses convenient. Group campgrounds are available for organized riding clubs or equestrian events.
Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Parkville, Fair Hill connects to an extensive network of marked bridle trails that wind through 5,600 acres of rolling meadows and woodlands. Horse owners find the terrain suitable for riders of varying experience levels, with water crossings and wooded paths available. The natural resources management area enforces specific guidelines for horse waste management and requires negative Coggins tests for all equines. Most trails remain open year-round, though seasonal conditions may affect accessibility after heavy rainfall. The park operates under specific reservation policies for equestrian campers, with advance booking strongly recommended, especially during peak riding seasons. For those seeking horse campgrounds near Parkville with group facilities, this location also accommodates organized riding clubs alongside families looking for additional recreational activities.
"There are some equestrian and tent sites as well. Lots of boating (electric motors only) and kayaking on the pond and a decent amount of hiking."
"I took her older cousins to the fishing pier, and we didn't even get a nibble, but I think it was too cold for panfish that close to shore."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $27 - $45 / night
"Those can be found at the campground entrance. Each loop has a wood shed and clean, well-appointed bathhouse. There are water pumps along the road for refills."
"We were looking to explore Maryland's Eastern Shore and picked Tuckaho because they had electric sites available. We were so pleased with our stay."
from $21 - $70 / night
"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
from $22 - $100 / night
"The only thing about this site specifically is the trail was close by so you’d occasionally see people walking by but not enough that it didn’t still feel secluded."
"I was only one in the forest ATM but saw some hikers occasionally throughout the day walking by."
from $25 / night
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
ScoutFirst time at this campground really like it a lot will be returning. The bathrooms are always clean. The grounds are always kept up. Just a really nice place to stay. Most of the sites have some kind of shade.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
LegendWe spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.
WHAT I LIKED:
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
ScoutFlat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!
LegendOverall, this is a nice, small (about 65 sites) state park with plenty of recreational opportunities inside the park. There is nice separation between sites so you don’t feel like you are on top of your neighbor. Tall trees are scattered about which provide shade at some sites but overall, the park is pretty open. Roads getting to the park are easy to navigate with any size RV. Within the park, roads are paved and free of potholes and there are no low hanging branches. Since the roads are one-way they are not very wide so backing in big-rigs can be a little tight and you might have to run over the grass.
All RV sites are full hook-up and there is a separate area for tents and there is one canvas yurt for rent. The tent sites are nice in that they are tucked along the wood line slightly away from RVs with more privacy and shade. The only downside is that they are pretty far away from the centrally located bathroom and showers. The bathroom has separate rooms for showers which is nice and private. They were tended to daily and very clean. Also, located in the center of the campground is a playground, camp store and laundry. The dumpsters and recycle bins are located in a separate area on the way out of the campground and were frequently full and overflowing. Campsites are paved and some have wide enough that the patio is paved but others have a narrow pad for the RV and gravel patio. We discovered that most sites are level but a few are not (like 22 and 24). The campground is very clean and camp hosts were diligent about picking up trash and cleaning out fire pits every day.
Across the pond (north of the campground) is where most of the amenities are located such as concessions, ball fields, horseshoe pits, disk golf, and more. For those wanting to fish there is a pier in the campground and a self-serve vending machine with bait in it. There are additional fishing piers located in other parts of the park and there are boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent. We stopped in at the Nature Center but it was a bust– just a few taxidermy specimens and not much information. One of the most popular areas of the park is Go Ape which is a ropes/zip line course through the canopy (which does require admission fee). There are nice trails that leave right from the campground– some 17 miles in all. There is a boat launch about a quarter mile from the campground entrance which is suitable for trailerable boats and paddle craft but there are no docks so you can’t leave your boat tied up there. There is an off-leash dog area but it is located far from the campground so it’s best to drive.
ScoutBathrooms are clean and staff is nice
Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area sits in northern Maryland's Cecil County, approximately 40 miles northeast of Parkville. The management area spans 5,600 acres with varied terrain including woodlands, meadows, and several water crossings. Campers can expect moderate temperatures with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows around 25°F, making spring and fall ideal for equestrian camping trips.
Fishing at Lums Pond State Park: Located about 45 minutes from Parkville in Bear, Delaware, this park offers great fishing opportunities. "We spent a long weekend with family at Lums Pond State Park Campground and so glad we did... Great state park with lots to do (kayaking, biking, and more)," notes Matt S.
Historical exploration in Gettysburg: Within a 75-minute drive, campers can explore Civil War history. "Amazing location surrounded by the national park. The grounds are nice and shaded, and you don't feel crowded," reports Sean M. about Artillery Ridge Campground, which offers direct access to historical sites.
Hiking diverse trails: Tuckahoe State Park provides extensive hiking options for all skill levels. According to Bill G., "There are a few trails here. Nearby is the Chesapeake bay with all its amenities, an Arbouretum that is a bit over priced. And access to the Tuckahoe River for fishing and kayaking."
Spacious sites with amenities: Many campgrounds in the region offer well-designed sites. At Lums Pond, Adam and Suzanne B. appreciated "large and well spaced" sites, noting that "The bathroom facilities and laundry are clean and modern. There are separate, individual shower rooms."
Family-friendly activities: Gettysburg Campground offers numerous recreational options for families. Kelly J. explains: "It is a wonderful place to have Kids. tons of things for them to do. we were in tent sites which felt bigger than most and were right by river. not far to go anywhere walking."
Natural surroundings: Blackbird State Forest provides a more secluded camping experience. "Each campsite features a picnic table or two, and a fire pit, plus one bundle of firewood. The ground is dirt covered with woodchips and sometimes evergreen needles -- pretty easy to sleep in a tent," reports D R.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. Ellen B. advises about Lums Pond: "Book early because it fills up fast!"
Site size limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging site dimensions. Buck P. warns about Tuckahoe State Park Campground: "We booked site 21, blind. The web site does not say site 21 is extremely small. We have a 25' camper, and it barely fit, length and with were an issue."
Military access restrictions: For Andrews AFB Military FamCamp, M.B. notes the simple but critical requirement: "Need military id and reservations to go."
Weather impacts: After heavy rains, some trails and campsites can become muddy or inaccessible, particularly in low-lying areas near water features like Tuckahoe Creek or Fair Hill's bridle paths.
Playground access: Choose sites near recreational facilities. At Blackbird State Forest Campground, the sites are "spaced out a good amount so each site has good privacy" according to a camper named Blind, who added "Each site has a fire pit, a grill, and two tables with a decent amount of space for tents."
Water activities: Lums Pond offers safe water recreation options. Mark shares, "The day we took a hike, we ended up on the equestrian trail that runs all the way around the pond. It was a long, but easy hike."
Educational opportunities: Gettysburg provides learning experiences alongside camping. MJ B. explains: "Spent a weekend at Gettysburg. We camped at Artillery Ridge Campground, which served as an artillery storage/staging area for the Union during the battle. Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
Site selection for larger rigs: When traveling with bigger RVs near Parkville, consider campground layout. At Camp Winery, you'll find tent sites but limited RV facilities, while nearby options offer more RV-friendly accommodations.
Hookup configuration: Check the placement of utilities before setting up. Amanda H. noted at one campground: "The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up. Had to park the camper crooked to use both."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Tuckahoe State Park Campground is open "March 25 to November 27," making it unavailable for winter camping trips, while some facilities like Fair Hill remain open year-round for equestrian camping near Parkville, Maryland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Parkville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Parkville, MD is Lums Pond State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 53 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Parkville, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Parkville, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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