Cedarville State Forest provides equestrian-friendly camping options within 30 miles of Patuxent River, Maryland. The 3,510-acre woodland features level terrain at elevations averaging 150 feet, creating favorable conditions for novice and experienced riders. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions between 50-75°F.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Cedarville State Forest offers multiple trail options directly from the camping area. Visitor Ben J. notes, "Equestrian trails go deep into the woods if you want a longer trail." Some trails allow mountain biking and connect to more extensive networks.
Wildlife viewing: The forest provides opportunities to observe native wildlife. According to Justin G., "When the rain did calm down Cedarville state forest offered some very serene and peaceful views. Which is surprising due to the forests location."
Disc golf course: Bull Run Regional Park maintains a disc golf course for campers seeking recreational activities. Visitor Tom C. confirms the amenity: "Park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds."
Water recreation: Pohick Bay Campground offers boating options from kayaks to motorboats. Anne K. mentions, "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats." The park also features a waterpark called Pirate's Cove.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campsites at Cedarville maintain clean shower and bathroom facilities. According to Nurse N., "Restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm. Two showers were included but didn't use it so not sure about pressure or heat."
Firewood delivery: The forest staff provides convenient firewood service. As one camper reports, "The ranger delivers firewood to your site within about 10-15 min of calling, which was very convenient. Cost was $5 for 8 logs."
Historical sites: Bull Run Regional Park offers access to Civil War historical areas. Daniel S. recommends, "Lots of history near by so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war."
Natural surroundings: Lichtman Camp 1 in Prince William Forest Park provides wooded campsites. The surrounding forest creates a natural barrier between sites for increased privacy.
What you should know
Tick prevention: Multiple reviewers mention ticks as a concern in the area. Joe C. warns, "Lots of trails but in June at least the ticks were waaaay too plentiful." Apply repellent before outdoor activities, especially during warmer months.
Site sizes: Camping areas accommodate various equipment sizes. According to Bill G., "The small loop here accommodates both tent and RVs, which is fine but some of these damn things are so huge, I have trouble believing they could wedge themselves here. The sites for tents are big enough for a 4 person tent."
Weather considerations: The region experiences occasional severe weather. Justin G. recounts, "We set up camp and ate dinner only to be hit by a tornado watch in the area. I spent most of the trip adjusting the water proofing so we stayed dry."
Flight path noise: Some campgrounds experience aircraft noise. Camp Meade RV Park visitor Elvin J. mentions, "I forgot all about revielle. They reminded me." Many campgrounds in the area experience periodic aircraft noise.
Tips for camping with families
Scheduled activities: Pohick Bay Campground offers family programming. Ben G. describes, "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 access: Select sites near recreational areas for convenience with children. Ben G. continues, "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse."
Water park options: Several campgrounds include water features for children. Bull Run visitor Bridget H. shares, "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds maintain quieter environments than others. Kelli T. cautions about one location, "This place is packed full of people who like to stay up late and make lots of noise. Park rules aren't very well enforced."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check site descriptions for level requirements. Drew M. advises, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Dump station features: Facility quality varies between campgrounds. Ben J. describes one experience: "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."
Drainage issues: Some sites experience water accumulation during heavy rain. Stuart O. warns, "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite."
Pull-through access: Andrews AFB Military FamCamp offers pull-through sites with full hookups for easier vehicle positioning. The campground requires military ID and reservations for access.
