Cedarville State Forest provides equestrian camping options across 3,510 acres of Maryland woodland. Located 18 miles southeast of Prince Frederick, the forest sits at an average elevation of 150 feet above sea level with a mix of pine and hardwood stands. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for trail riding and camping.
What to do
Explore disc golf course: Cedarville State Forest offers an 18-hole disc golf course through wooded terrain. "We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk. We have AT&T and had two bars pretty consistently," notes a visitor at Cedarville State Forest.
Visit nearby attractions: The forest's location provides easy access to Washington DC, just under an hour away. "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC. If you've forgotten anything you can pop on by the Target or Costco right outside the forest," mentions one camper.
Kayak nearby waterways: Pohick Bay Campground offers water recreation opportunities about 40 minutes west. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," shares one visitor, while another notes there's a "boat rental a short walk down the trail from the campgrounds."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacing at Cedarville. "Very well maintained, nice sites that aren't right on top of one another. Multiple loops for groups or individuals," writes one reviewer.
Clean facilities: The bathhouse facilities receive positive reviews. "Bathrooms don't look like much from the outside, but the inside is very nice. Clean, hot water, and good water pressure," reports a camper.
Nature observation: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound at Tuckahoe State Park Campground, located about an hour northeast. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," one visitor shared, while another mentioned, "Great hiking, biking, kayaking and fishing."
What you should know
Tick prevalence: Multiple campers mention ticks as a concern. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," warns one visitor. Another simply labels it "Tickville Otherwise nice."
Aircraft noise: The proximity to Andrews Air Force Base means occasional flyovers. "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times," notes one camper at Martinak State Park Campground.
Firewood system: "The ranger delivers firewood to your site within about 10-15 min of calling, which was very convenient. Cost was $5 for 8 logs," shares a visitor, though another notes, "I'll say I have never been to a site where the firewood is padlocked, and you have to call someone to come unlock it."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select sites near the playground for easier access. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," notes one family camper at Pohick Bay Campground.
Organized activities: Check for scheduled events when staying at 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."
Junior ranger programs: For educational opportunities, consider the structured learning programs. "If you're looking to learn and explore with your kids, there is an extensive junior ranger program" at Martinak State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Be cautious when selecting sites for bigger RVs at Cedarville. "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."
Electric hookup information: The campground layout offers different hookup options. "Sites inside the loop feature electric hookups," with "30 amp electric" available. A reviewer notes, "We stayed on the butterfly loop," which has specific site arrangements.
Dump station quality: RVers appreciate the clean facilities. "The pump out station was very nice," shares one camper, though another mentions, "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."
