Cedarville State Forest

This hidden gem is extremely close to Waldorf and Brandywine, with access to cheap (so non-convenience-store pricing) camp supplies. We booked the last possible weekend before the campsites shut down for 2022 and we weren’t let down in the slightest. Leaves were in peak color, and the weather was generally mild – a bit of a chill at night but manageable.

The staff was super friendly and even if we hadn’t intended on this, we ended up being there on ghost stories weekend. The staff decorated, gave out candy, told ghost stories, and generally were an overall joy to be around. (They also tolerated a pre-teen talking incessantly about things he mostly kinda sorta knew about.)

Getting Ready and Checking In

We started our trip like we do many others- with an order pick-up from Target. This particular target is maybe 7-10 minutes max from the campsite. A super convenient stop for S’mores and other perishable camp essentials. If Target isn’t your jam, there are plenty of other options in Waldorf and Brandywine.

Check-in was simple. The reservation pick-up box is located openly and visibly on the outside of the building. Which is great. I’ve been to more than one place where there are one too many reservation-pick-up-looking areas that have confused the hell out of me. However, just be aware the self-check-in envelopes only have the site number, not the last name of the reservation holder. So come prepared to know what site number you chose (it’ll be in your email).

Campsites

The campsites were generally small but level, and large enough to accommodate our obnoxious tent (though, I would like to be just slightly further from the fire ring next time. I think our tent was a little worried for it’s safety). Water spigots were spaced nicely throughout the family camping loop, and most sites seem to have a pretty direct route to the single bathhouse in the center. It seemed like a 50/50 split with some being electric and some being non-electric sites. There’s also separate camping loops for group camping and equestrian camping.

There’s a self-service wood-for-purchase area (like most campsites no outside wood is allowed) and a $5/crate self-fill system. Fill a crate, pay, take the crate to camp, unload and return the crate. Simple, and cheaper than some places we’ve camped.

Bathhouses

The bathhouses were remarkably clean and well-kept. Knowing this was a state forest and not a state park, I didn’t expect very much but this was really a well-maintained facility. All the stalls locked properly (wow!) and were clean. The shower areas were reasonably private, clean and had private, separated changing and shower areas.

Regular Restroom

The best part, especially on a cold October morning, was the family (and handicapped-accessible) restroom. Why? Well because it was private, spacious, and just a little warmer in there. Changing two kids (the newborn and the toddler) in the cold on the air bed, on the ground, etc is something I’ve gotten used to and won’t complain about. However, having the extra elbow room to change them and be warm while doing so was fantastic. The shower was huge, clean, and quite frankly made me want to shower my kids as I don’t know that it would have been that easy at home.

Trails and Features

Because we went during leaf peak season, it was presumably beautiful. But really, it was more. Cedarville is always gorgeous, and I’ve been here multiple times in the spring and summer for day trips – hiking or trail riding.

It is one of the few places in Southern Maryland that give me that communing-with-nature sense of awe. Since moving from Luray/Shenandoah I’ve had trouble bonding with this area and it’s been a huge spiritual struggle for me – but Cedarville is an exception. It comes effortlessly to me here. There are no mountain overlooks, and there’s no Shenandoah River, but there is the seemingly sacred undisturbed forest that seems to have a story to tell. And sometimes that story is “STFU and appreciate me”. So we do. One place in particular that we just call “the tree tunnel” is notably serene. Canopied with dense forest pine, the smell, and the ambiance are unmistakable.

I’ve spent most of my time on the Blue Trail and Orange Trail. (Trail mileages and terrain will be another post for another time – though terrain is basically flat with some rolling hills) On Blue trail, there’s an archery range (28 targets), and another handicapped-accessible archery range off Cross Road.

They also have a few amphitheaters, playgrounds and picnic areas. There’s a beaver dam on Blue Trail, as well as a marsh area and a nifty old outhouse. Trails are multiuse – hiking, biking (highly recommend), and horse back riding.

My posts don’t feel complete without the preteen disaster photo – here he is stubbing his toe.

Getting There and Making Reservations

Getting there is easy! Rte 301 intersects Cedarville Rd in Brandywine, MD and you follow the signage. Reservations can be made here on the Maryland Parks website.