Charles County Fairgrounds
Charles County Fairgrounds sits 3 miles south of La Plata, Maryland on Fairground Road, a 35-plus-acre site established in 1924 that's home to four stages, a carnival midway and a Greens exhibit area. Parking is free both on the grounds and at a satellite lot at the Charles County Courthouse, with a free shuttle running every 15 to 30 minutes until 11pm. During Charles County Fair, guests 17 and under need a chaperone after 5pm, there's no re-entry past 6pm without paying again, and domestic pets aren't allowed on the grounds.
Before you go
- Address
- 8440 Fairground Road
- Capacity
- Over 35 acres with four stages
- Official site
- charlescountyfair.com
- Next festival here
- VikingsCon, Nov 7 to 8, 2026
Worth knowing before you go
- The satellite lot and free shuttle from the Charles County Courthouse can save you from fairground parking and walking.
- The inclement weather policy doesn't rely on phone alerts, so check the website for closing or delay info.
- During Charles County Fair, there's no re-entry after 6pm without paying again.
- During Charles County Fair, domestic pets aren't allowed, though service animals always are.
- During Charles County Fair, guests 17 and under need a chaperone 21 or older after 5pm.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Free parking on-site and at a satellite lot · Free shuttle every 15-30 minutes · Four stages plus a carnival midway.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want free parking and a free shuttle instead of hunting for a spot.
- You're coming for the rides, stages and fair food on a big 35-acre site.
Think twice if
- You were planning to bring a pet; only service animals are allowed during the fair.
- You wanted to leave and come back after 6pm without paying again; that's not allowed during the fair.
Getting there and parking
The fairgrounds are 3 miles south of La Plata, Maryland, on Fairground Road just off US Route 301 in Southern Maryland. During the fair, access may be via Bel Alton-Newtown Road and Fairgrounds Road from US 301.
Free general parking is available on the fairgrounds, with staff on hand to help. Free satellite parking is also available at the Charles County Courthouse and Government Building in La Plata.
A free shuttle bus runs from the Charles County Courthouse satellite lot to the fairgrounds every 15 to 30 minutes, using a dedicated bus lane from Route 301 to the main gate. The last pickup from the courthouse is 7pm, with return buses running until 11pm.
In bad weather, fair officials may close early, delay opening, or close the fairgrounds for the day. The fair does not use phone or electronic call systems to announce closings, except during a widespread power outage, so the fair's website or the rental management company's website is the most reliable source for closing information.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at Charles County Fairgrounds. The venue's own pages are the place to check: charlescountyfair.com.
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Charles County Fairgrounds. The venue's own pages are the place to check: charlescountyfair.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
Food vendors on the grounds offer BBQ, crab cakes, roast beef, corn dogs, sausages, pizza, roasted peanuts and stuffed ham sandwiches, plus cotton candy, ice cream, funnel cakes, lemonade and caramel apples. Most are in the food court area, with more vendors scattered elsewhere on the grounds.
Festival-specific · Charles County FairService animals are always welcome, but domestic pets are not allowed on the fairgrounds, and proof of rabies vaccination may be required for service animals.
Festival-specific · Charles County FairThere is no re-entry after 6pm without paying again. Bags, carry-in items and fanny packs are permitted but subject to security inspection, and smoking, vaping and cannabis use are not permitted in any building.
Quick answers
Is parking free at Charles County Fairgrounds?
Yes. It's free both on the grounds and at a satellite lot at the Charles County Courthouse.
Is there a shuttle to Charles County Fairgrounds?
Yes, a free shuttle every 15 to 30 minutes between the courthouse lot and the main gate, running until 11pm.
How will I know if the fair closes for weather?
Check the fair's website; it doesn't rely on phone alerts, except during a widespread power outage.
Can I bring my pet to Charles County Fair?
No. Only service animals are allowed; domestic pets are not.
Can I leave and come back during Charles County Fair?
Not after 6pm without paying again.
Do kids need a chaperone at Charles County Fair?
Yes. Guests 17 and under need a chaperone 21 or older after 5pm.
How big are the Charles County Fairgrounds?
Over 35 acres, with four stages, a carnival midway and a Greens exhibit area.
What food is available at the fairgrounds?
BBQ, crab cakes, corn dogs, funnel cakes and more, mostly in the food court.
A little history
The Charles County Fair was established in 1924 and occupies over 35 acres south of La Plata, celebrating the county's agricultural history. The Historic McConchie One-Room School sits just inside the main gate facing Fairground Road; built in 1912 to serve African American children, it closed in 1952.
The grounds have four stages for games, shows and live music, a carnival midway plus a separate kiddie midway, and a Greens area for exhibits like livestock, crafts and 4-H shows.