Cedarville State Forest--easy 6 miles; shady forests & beaver dams

Cedarville State Forest southeast of Brandywine, Maryland, is home to forests of hardwoods and pines, and wetlands at the headwaters of Zekiah Swamp. This will be a 6-mile relaxed stroll on flat, hard-packed trails through mostly shady forest. Includes short detours to admire the handiwork of very industrious beavers.

Hike details: We will start on Forest Road (gravel) and mostly follow the Orange Trail. We will walk through young forests with sparse undergrowth, blueberry bushes, and glimpses of wetlands. We may stop for beaver dams, toads, and Chimaphila maculata--and if we're lucky, for ripe blueberries! Almost no elevation gain. Plan for a leisurely pace of 2.0-2.5 mph.

Sign-ups: RSVP here on Meetup. If your plans change, please cancel your RSVP by 6:00 pm the night before to allow someone on the waiting list to participate. Watch Comments for changes. If weather forces a change in plans, it will be announced no later than 6 am the morning of the hike.

What to bring: Hiking boots or shoes, rain gear, plenty of water, tick and mosquito repellent, sunscreen. Snacks for a stop at picnic tables 3/4 of the way through the hike. A plastic bag or small container in case the blueberries are ripe.

Entrance fee: $3/Maryland vehicle, $5/out-of-state vehicle. Free with annual or lifetime Maryland State Park permit. BRING CASH for entrance fee.

Facilities: there are modern restrooms at the park office/headquarters (on Bee Oak road, en route to the trailhead) and a Porta-John at the trailhead.

Meeting time: Meet at 10:00 am to sign in and start hiking at 10:15 am.

Directions to meeting point: Enter Cedarville State Forest on Bee Oak Road. Stop to pay entrance fee. This is on an honor system; bring cash to put in an envelope. Continue on Bee Oak Road past the office/headquarters building (allow extra time to stop at the restrooms here). Stay left at intersection with Hidden Springs Road. Turn right onto gravel Forest Road (called Cedarforest Road on Google Maps). Go past first parking lot. Park in second parking lot, on the right. The sign says Blue and White Trailhead.

GPS for park entrance: 38.64715125162561, -76.83007115740243
Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wVPubZk5V3LbsBSr9

GPS for hike meeting point: 38.64329667279565, -76.8177329958667
Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6d2HzDSG6UxAiqvD7

AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-june-26-2025-4122cb1?u=i&sh=fuqxr6

Hike leader: Amber at 703-231-5978 for emergencies (please use Meetup Comments for general Q&A or to arrange carpools)

More about the park: https://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/pages/publiclands/southern-cedarville-state-forest.aspx

More about PATC: https://www.patc.net/
Consider becoming a member of the organization that maintains most of the trails in four states, from the DC metropolitan area to the Blue Ridge mountains, and maintains a network of rental cabins along the trails.