Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Elkton, Maryland sits 5 miles from the Pennsylvania border, providing equestrian camping near Springtown, Pennsylvania. The 5,600-acre park maintains multiple trail networks through varied terrain that aren't visible from camping areas. Many sites accommodate both tent and RV campers with modest hookup options for electricity while offering direct access to horseback riding paths.
What to do
Fishing excursions: Scotts Run Lake and Hopewell Lake at French Creek State Park contain diverse fish species including "northern pike, chain pickerel, bass, walleye, muskellunge and several types of panfish." One camper noted, "Ice fishing is also allowed at both lakes and the ice thickness is monitored."
Hiking trails: Varying difficulty levels accommodate different abilities with marked paths. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, trails provide pine barrens exploration where "there are probably hundreds of miles of trails through the woods and bogs to explore. Can't tell you how much I love it. Could spend a whole vacation just with these trails."
Kayaking: Multiple waterways offer paddling opportunities with boat rentals available seasonally. "We also tried keeping the wet out. We went to an amusement park and went on the Sploosh ride... WE WERE SOAKED! It was a lot of fun and our phones and money were safe and dry!" shared one visitor at Mountainview Campground.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campgrounds with natural vegetation barriers provide seclusion. At Hibernia County Park, "the sites are heavily wooded which means plenty of hammock hanging opportunities. The sites are mostly grass, and not very well defined which means the distance between you and your neighbor can vary depending on how you set up camp."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers rate highly among visitors. A camper at Lums Pond State Park mentioned, "The bath house was absolutely immaculate, and the design made even my public-bathroom-phobic sister-in-law comfortable and at ease."
Spacious sites: Many locations offer ample room for equipment setup. "Our site was a nice size for the two of us it was the perfect size for our ten inch high queen size air mattress and some minimal gear," noted a visitor at French Creek, while another praised, "All sites have a paved level area which made set up a breeze. Sites were not on top of each other."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book early for peak season access. At Lums Pond, campers advise to "Book early because it fills up fast!"
Hookup limitations: Water and electric connections vary by campground and site. A visitor at Mountainview Campground noted, "The price is good and there is electricity and a small shower and the surroundings are very quiet."
Noise considerations: Some locations experience highway noise or weekend crowds. At Spruce Run Recreation Area, "you can hear 78, especially at night once the campground settles down," while another camper observed it "was very loud and rowdy into the late night. There were campers making lots of noise, arming/disarming their car alarms, slamming doors, cars driving in/out, bright lights flashing, etc. all PASSED 2am!!"
Fire regulations: Restrictions apply at certain parks and during dry periods. At Brendan Byrne State Forest, "fires can only go from 6pm till 7am which was odd but wasn't a deal breaker."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Kid-friendly areas provide entertainment options. A visitor to Starlite Camping Resort appreciated that it "offers a wide variety of amenities such as a community pool, general store, snack bar, playground area, toilets, indoor shower stalls, daily activities, pets permitted, water/electric utilities and laundry units."
Children's fishing ponds: Designated areas for young anglers at certain parks. One camper at Hibernia County Park mentioned there's a "Great children's pond for 12 and under. Brandywine creek and Chambers Lake are there too. Great playground."
Educational activities: Some parks offer ranger programs and nature walks. A French Creek visitor shared, "They hold a Sunday morning 'Church at the Park,' which we were planning to go to, but then it rained, and we didn't know there was a rain location (the park office), so we ended up missing that."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Terrain varies across campgrounds, affecting setup. At Starlite Camping Resort, "it is quite hilly throughout the campground, but the individual sites are very level to park the camper with almost no blocks needed."
Access routes: Some parks have challenging entry roads. Mountainview Campground requires careful navigation where "the drive to our site had some inclines and was relatively rocky and some vehicles would surely struggle."
Hookup placement: Utility connections can be awkwardly positioned. A camper at Lums Pond found "what seemed more like a large field! Very few trees, not much shade at all! The site offered electric and water but they were on 2 different sides. This made it difficult to set up."
Larger rig limitations: Size restrictions exist at several campgrounds. At Hibernia County Park, "If you have a large camper or 5th wheel you may need to double check what sites can accommodate your RV to ensure you have enough room."
Ranger
