Cedarville State Forest provides horseback riding options for equestrians approximately 25 miles southeast of Coltons Point, Maryland. The forest maintains approximately 19 miles of designated bridle paths through mixed hardwood forest terrain. Horseback riders must bring their own water supplies as trailhead facilities are limited. Most riders access trails from the day-use parking areas rather than the campground.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Multiple designated bridle paths at Cedarville State Forest accommodate day-use horseback riding on maintained trails. "Great bit of light pollution at night here due to its approximation to DC. Minimal noise except for planes overhead. There are decent trails to hike here too," notes Bill G. about Cedarville State Forest.
Disc golf course: Pohick Bay Regional Park offers an established 18-hole disc golf course through wooded terrain. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests Rachel L. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Wildlife observation: Forest areas support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities with minimal equipment required. Ben J. from Cedarville State Forest reports, "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates. Moderate privacy and space, especially considering how close it is to DC."
What campers like
Proximity to metropolitan areas: Campgrounds in this region provide natural settings within reasonable driving distance to Washington DC. Josh J. notes about Pohick Bay Campground, "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat."
Ranger-delivered firewood service: Forest staff deliver firewood directly to campsites upon request. "The ranger delivers firewood to your site within about 10-15 min of calling, which was very convenient. Cost was $5 for 8 logs," reports Nurse N. from Cedarville State Forest.
Equestrian trails accessibility: Bridle paths remain open year-round for riders with personal horses. "Equestrian trails go deep into the woods if you want a longer trail," mentions Ben J. about the trail system available beyond the main camping areas.
What you should know
Tick prevalence: Forest areas host significant tick populations, particularly during warmer months. "I've never left this park without at least one tick," warns Bill G. about Cedarville. Joe C. confirms this assessment: "Lots of trails but in June at least the ticks were waaaay too plentiful."
Aircraft noise considerations: Proximity to Andrews Air Force Base means regular aircraft noise that may disturb sensitive horses. "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times," reports Kasey M. about Lichtman Camp 1.
Seasonal flooding issues: Trail conditions vary significantly after rainfall with some areas experiencing standing water. "Trails seem open but are across and through hunting areas. They are also muddy from the rain. There is even standing water around our site," notes Kasey M.
Tips for camping with families
Family programming options: Weekend organized activities occur regularly during peak season. Ben G. shared about Pohick Bay: "They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning."
Playground accessibility: Select campsites provide direct access to children's recreation areas. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," notes Ben G. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Convenient supply access: Forgotten camping supplies remain easily accessible with retail options nearby. "If you've forgotten anything you can pop on by the Target or Costco right outside the forest," mentions moonbeans about Cedarville State Forest.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV camping requires careful site selection due to tree placement and limited turning radius. "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem," advises Nurse N.
Electric hookup limitations: Inner loop sites provide 30-amp electric service for RVs without 50-amp options. "30 amp electric. No issues there," confirms Joe C. about Andrews AFB Military FamCamp.
Dump station configuration: The sanitary dump station design requires specific approach techniques. Ben J. explains, "They have a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve. This means every time you pull to turn the water on, you get a shower."
