VISIT US
Grounds: Open year-round, dawn to dusk
Building Weekend: Saturday & Sunday year-round, 10am - 3pm, Free
Building Weekday: Open year-round by appointment for field trips and camps
Amenities:
ADA bathroom
Heat & A/C
Guest Wi-Fi
Gift shop
Water refill station
Guests are invited to check out a fishing rod, binoculars, dip net or sweep net. Use our microscope, complete a craft, and visit the animals!
Note: State Park parking fees apply
Playscape
Nature trails
Pond & dock
ADA parking
Children's garden
Explore our Story Trail
Come join us on our half-mile story trail! Enjoy some time outside while reading one of our many nature-related children's books. Don't forget to check back regularly – our story changes every month!
Follow the story panels starting just outside of the building. Maps are available at the front desk.
Visit the Animal Ambassadors
Meet our crew of native and non-native species that participate in our educational outreach programs.
Axel
Axolotl
Native to Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City, axolotls are unusual amphibians as they remain adolescents their whole lives. Where salamanders typically metamorphose and migrate from water to land, axolotls remain aquatic and gilled. They can also transform adult cells back into stem cells and regenerate parts of their bodies including limbs and even brain tissue. Isn't Axel cool!
Bernate
North American Box Turtle
Bernate (short for Hibernate) is the star of our Kindergarten program. He teaches kids how to follow their instincts and how animals survive winter. He is native to North America and could live up to 50 years! He eats lots of veggies and fruit.
Ruby
Red-Eared Slider
Ruby is a type of pond turtle native to the southern United States and Mexico. Because they are such a popular pet all over the world, they have become one of the most common invasive turtle species. Ruby is almost entirely aquatic, but likes to sunbathe on her log when cold. Sliders look practically identical regardless of sex, so we're not sure if Ruby is a boy or girl, but we love her either way!
Spot
Diamondback Terrapin
Native to brackish coastal tidal marshes of the northeastern and southern United States (like our very own Chesapeake Bay region), diamondback terrapins are named for the beautiful diamond pattern on the top of its shell. They are strong swimmers and have strong jaws for crushing shells of prey, including clams and snails. Spot loves people and will often climb out of her pool to say hi.
Jake
Corn Snake
Corn snakes are constrictors and are native to the south eastern and mid-atlantic United States. They typically eat small rodents and amphibians. Jake is our longest tenured ambassador, living with us for over 15 years.
Kai
Kingsnake
Kingsnakes are native to North America and can vary widely in color and size. Some are brown and black while others are brightly marked with red, yellow, white and/ or gray. They can also have stripes, speckles, rings or saddle-shaped bands. They are constrictors and have been known to eat other snakes as well as lizards, rodents, birds and eggs.
Our list would not be complete without Socks, who wandered his way to the Fair Hill Nature Center and never looked back! He quickly stole our hearts and has officially become one of our Animal Ambassadors.
Socks can often be found greeting visitors, supervising staff, or soaking up the sunshine on the trails. We’re so happy he chose us as his forever home.
Entrance from Telegraph Road (MD 273)
Entrance from Appleton Road
Other Contacts
For information on parking, fishing or hunting permits, please call the Fair Hill NRMA Park Office at 410-398-1246.