Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area offers dedicated equestrian camping in northeastern Maryland, just 20 miles from Lancaster. The 5,600-acre property sits along the Pennsylvania-Maryland border with varied terrain for trail riding throughout the year. Located near Elkton, this equestrian-focused campground connects directly to an extensive trail network specifically designed for horseback riding.
What to do
Trail riding access: Fair Hill's main attraction for equestrians is the direct trail access from campsites. "The trail system connects directly to the camping area, allowing for convenient access to horseback riding routes without trailering," confirms a visitor. Natural water crossings along trails provide watering opportunities for horses.
Fishing opportunities: French Creek State Park Campground offers multiple fishing spots with various species. "There are two lakes, Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake that you can fish at, kayak, canoe or just relax by. There are several warm water fish in the lakes including northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish," notes Jen R.
Water recreation: Multiple water activities await at Lums Pond State Park. "They have a large pond that you can rent paddle boats and small v-bottom boats! We did enjoy the paddle boats and saw a few cranes! They offer fishing at the pond which was also enjoyable!" states Amanda H., highlighting the diverse water activities available.
What campers like
Private, wooded campsites: Hibernia County Park provides secluded camping in a forested setting. "We LOVE this campground. It's tiny (19 sites in Fiddlers loop), it's quiet, it's heavily wooded. There is NOTHING to do except walk or bike the beautiful trails, spend time on Chamber's Lake, spend time in the hammock and stare at the fire," says Jennifer S.
Clean facilities: Starlite Camping Resort maintains high standards of cleanliness. "The facilities are spotless and the campground is maintained to the highest standards I have seen. There are regular activities for all ages including bingo, crafts and live music," reports Elizabeth L., highlighting the well-maintained grounds.
River access: Ferryboat Campsites provides direct water access. "We enjoyed our stay here — but mostly because we liked being right on the water. The weather was hot so lots of tubing and fishing and kayaking in the river — we loved to sit out and watch the water go by," shares Melissa, emphasizing the riverside location.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds near Lancaster require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Sites at Fair Hill fill quickly in spring and fall when trail riding conditions are optimal.
Bathhouse conditions vary: Campground bathhouses range from basic to modern across the region. "The bathroom at the campground is very nice and new however it is a little on the dirty side. I don't know if they have anyone who goes around to clean the bath houses but it certainly was in need of cleaning," reports Jen R. about French Creek State Park.
Firewood availability: Policies on firewood differ between campgrounds. "If you are local I would recommend bringing some of your own firewood. There is not a camp store where it is available for purchase. You can find some for sale from the neighboring homes but it's not always a guarantee," advises Avery M.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "Nice playground situated conveniently between the loops of the campground. It had some slides, a bridge, lots of monkey bars, ladders to climb on and the best feature was the zip line," writes Jen R. about the recreation options.
Consider camp activities: Lums Pond State Park Campground offers numerous family-friendly options. "Our daughter really enjoyed the playground (which was excellent, by my standards). She fought us about leaving the playground, and really would have been content if that was all we did," shares Mark, highlighting the child-friendly environment.
Choose sites strategically: When camping with children at horse-friendly campgrounds, select sites with adequate space. "We were in the D loop which is rustic with no hookups. Quiet, very few people mid-week. Spacious sites," notes Cheryl K., emphasizing the importance of sufficient space for families.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Many horse campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other," shares Jen R. about French Creek State Park's RV-friendly layout.
Hookup locations matter: Pay attention to utility placement when selecting equestrian sites. "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," warns Amanda H. about unexpected setup challenges at campgrounds.
Water access planning: For horse camping with RVs, water availability is crucial. "If you are coming in an RV, you should come with a full water tank. There is one spigot at the 'bathroom'," advises Jennifer S., highlighting the limited water access at some primitive equestrian campgrounds.
