Carnivorous Plants! Cedarville State Forest: An Easy Side of Strenuous 13 Miles to Enjoy the Spring Flowers! 

 (Transition to Longer Hikes)

This hike is only 24 miles from D.C. and about a 45 minute drive from Baltimore

The headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp are located in Cedarville. The Swamp is one mile wide, and serves as a major haven for wildlife.Cedarville State Forest is home to several unique features in nature. The Cedarville Bog is considered the headwaters of the largest freshwater bog in Maryland, the Zekiah Swamp.

Of special interest in this bog are several species of insect-eating plants, including the roundleaf sundew (pictured below eating an insect) and the northern pitcher plant (one of these is known as the Venus flytrap which is pictured right). Throughout the SUMMER MONTHS, spy the leaves of these carnivorous plants, which attract insects with their reddish color and entrap them with sticky or bristly hairs.Showy wildflowers also dot the open meadow next to the bog. Look for the pink blooms of Maryland meadow-beauty and milkwort and the purple flowers of Hyssop skullcap. Most of Cedarville is forested with over 50 species of trees, including white and loblolly pine plantations. The Piscataway Indian Tribe made this section of Southern Maryland its winter camping ground because of the mild climate and abundance of game. Legend says there is an Indian Burial ground in Cedarville State Forest, but to date it has not been found. This is a wonderful hike year round but the carnivorous plants, once again, only bloom during the summer months.

An easy hike through deep, shady forest along the banks of meandering creeks. On a hot summer day, there is a drowsy, languid feel to the creeks that run through Cedarville State Forest. They are known to rise up and wash out bridges, and if their steeply cut banks are any measure, they have done so often. But there is little babble to these sandy-bottomed brooks. Walking by them through stands of hardwood and meadows of lush ferns, you are more likely to hear a breeze in the trees than a wild torrent. It is a good setting for a tranquil hike.

Transition Hike
This is a great way to step up your endurance/mileage to strenuous from moderate hiking (due to distance, but it is a flat hike for the most part) and work on building some distance while enjoying the middle-of-nowhere feeling you get only from the forest. Cedarville is very remote yet extremely well blazed and marked. It is pretty much flat as well which is unusual for anywhere around here. This would be rated an easy hike other than than the distance, which earns it a very moderate or easy side of strenuous depending on your level of fitness.

Pace Options
We break down into groups no larger than 15 hikers per leader/sweep team for a more enjoyable experience for all of us and is better for the environment. Large groups really take away from the hiking experience for everyone on the trail and not just our group. For this particular hike you have 3 to choose from so you can hike with others of a similar pace. Paces should be based on your preference but also please know your limitations.

Pace Option 1: A moderate pace of about 2.5mph and the average hiking pace used as a baseline in most hiking books. (most common pace).
Pace Option 2: A VERY vigorous paced group of up to 4mph so no complaints about this pace being too fast because you know what you are getting into

Note: We offer a shorter 5 Mile Version of this hike, which offers a social pace and is currently on our calendar for December 1st. Click here to sign up for that hike if you are not ready for this one as this hike will not have a slower pace and is offered for those who can keep a steady pace of the pace posted.

Trail Information

Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Waldorf
Length: 13 Mile Loop
Approximate Hiking Time: 5 hours
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Trail Type: Loop
Difficulty: Difficult due to length; terrain is easy
Trail Surface: Dirt footpaths and old forest roads traverse a heavily wooded area, with short stretches through the watershed of two major streams. Unlike most parts of Maryland there are few rocks and roots (which we call ankle twisters) so you can really take in the view and not have to watch your feet!
Local Contacts: Cedarville State Forest
Local Maps: USGS Bristol, Maryland
Topo Map: Cedarville State Forest Loop Topographic Map
Special Features:There is an archery range where you walk through on paths and shoot at targets setup throughout the woods. It is open when the park is open and is included in your park admission. So bring out your bow to join Mike in practice shooting after the hike!
Facilities: Restrooms, visitor center, campground, archery range, fish hatchery visitor center.

Note to Hike Leaders: This hike is in the book " Best Hikes Near Washington, D.C." hike number 4 on page 41 and there is also a great state park map available for this hike. The book should have been sent to you when you joined the leadership team so if you do not have it, please contact Kellie. Also, this hike is in our trails.com and everytrail repository for our group.

Weather Information
We hike rain or shine. Click here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking.

Park Fee
Maryland State Residents are 3.00 dollars per car and out of state, 4.00 dollars per car paid by the honor system upon entering the park.

Carpool Information
There are 3 carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station.

Annapolis Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Annapolis area , meetup at the Harbour Center Mall Starbucks. Click here for Annapolis carpool directions for getting to the carpool location.

VA East Area Carpool (Fairfax Area METRO)
People can also arrange to meet at the Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station. Click here for directions to Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station.

If you can drive or want to carpool from any locations such as the DC area, please post your location and needs in the comment section below. Click here for suggested carpool locations complete with directions. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!

Directions to Where We Meet for This Hike

Click here for directions to where we meet for this hike!

Hike is at 9:00 a.m.  

Carpool meetup time from Savage Station is 8:00 a.m.  

Carpool meetup time at Centerville Park and Ride is 8:30 a.m. 

Fido is Welcome on This Hike!

Be sure to take the hike leaders numbers with you just in case!

Mike H: [masked]

Justin: [masked]