Cedarville State Forest

Hiked here with my dogs many times. Trails are well marked and always kept passable by hikers, bikers and the occasional horseback rider. Really no views of anything but the forest; but if that’s what you’re looking for, this place will do the trick. Far less crowded than Rosaryville and less mountain bikers dodging you and your pets.

Clean, pretty, quiet. Staff was extremely helpful and the price was right. Lots of Poison ivy off the paths. Lots of deer. Great place I would recommend it to anyone.

This park has some great horseback riding trails, all of them are very well marked and clear. Be careful on the weekends as many bike riders do not respect trail rules and give horses the right of way.

Located just 45 minutes from downtown DC is this little-​known treasure of a state forest. I only discovered it when husband and I decided at the last minute to go camping over Labor Day Weekend. Normally we’d head out to Shenandoah, but we weren’t interested in messing around with 66 on the Friday of a long weekend, or fighting what we’d knew would be hordes of other people. So I hopped on the Maryland State Park website and found Cedarville State Forest so nearby *and* with a campground. Even better, you can reserve a site in advance — the exact one you’d like from a map online — something National Parks and most state parks don’t allow. I was a bit worried it wouldn’t feel removed enough, since it’s so close to Waldorf and Route 5, but once you enter the park it’s like being in a whole other world (you can hear lots of planes from Andrews AFB and National, but that’s about it from civilization).
Cedarville State Forest was established in 1934 as CCC Camp S54, staffed by 160 men — mostly African American, from Baltimore and Washington — who built roads and trails here in an effort to preserve the land for future recreational use. Adding to its historical significance, CSF was also the site of three charcoal kilns which operated until the 1950s, burning wood from the surrounding forest and producing nearly two tons of charcoal each week, used in Maryland State Parks for heat and by campers. One of these kilns still stands, and is easily accessible by road or by taking a spur from the Blue Trail.
The land itself supports Cedarville Bog (at the headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp), carnivorous plants unique to the area, 50+ species of trees including white and loblolly pines, holly, and magnolia, great-​horned owl and beaver, a fish hatchery, two archery ranges, forestry practice demonstration areas, two amphitheaters, a fishing pond, hunting grounds, and nearly 20 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails. Husband and I found the hiking trails really easy with very little elevation changes whatsoever. They’re often wet and muddy, however, particularly after rains.
The nearly 30-​site campground is quite nice and reasonably priced (about $ 20 a night for a non-​electric site). Despite not being filled to capacity, it was pretty loud over Labor Day weekend since the sites are fairly close together and the loop itself is small. I imagine with fewer people, the campground is even more pleasant. All equipment must be kept on the gravel pad which limits tent placement options, but at least the pads are level and large. Sites on the outer loop are non-​electric, sites in the inner loop have electricity — we even saw tent campers with floor fans, laptops, and mini fridges, something we’ve *never* encountered elsewhere (I mean, really, what’s the point of those amenities for camping?). Firewood is available for sale at the entrance to the campground, eight pieces for $ 3, bought on the honor system with their little drop box. The bathhouse is the most pristine and modern I’ve ever seen while camping, with incredibly nice shower facilities. One thing to note is that there’s no alcohol permitted — in any MD state park for that matter — but people are flauting this rule. Honestly, camping and beer go hand-​in-​hand…
We were really happy to discover this little natural oasis so close to home. Now we can pick up and camp more easily on short notice, or head out for a day-​hike. Hopefully other folks will do the same and help keep our nation’s parks alive and well.