Cedarville
10201 Bee Oak Road, Brandywine, MD 20613
Trail Conditions Forum Here
Trail Liaison: Tommy Garrison,
Cedarville@more-mtb.org
Spring 2010 Trailwork Days: Saturday, May 15
Description
Cedarville State Forest is a great place to experience twisty narrow singletrack without a lot of elevation gain or loss. It is a wonderful place to learn how to ride mountain bike singletrack. Each trail has its own flavor. The orange trail wanders through damp and marshy areas lined with holly, magnolia and assorted marsh plants and flowers. The blue trail is hilly with several streams and springs. The brown trail is pretty level and dry. It circles through a pine plantation and around the 4-acre stocked fishing pond. The green trail starts by the 4-acre pond and then loops through the forest and headwaters of the Zekiah Swamp. This is a suitable riding area for both novices and experts.
Cedarville State Forest is home to several unique features in nature. The Cedarville bog is considered the headwaters of the largest fresh-water bog in Maryland, the Zekiah Swamp. This bog supports a wide variety of plants including several unique only to Cedarville Bog. Two of the more unique species are the carnivorous plants, the roundleaf sundew and the northern pitcher plant. Cedarville State Forest is also home to over 50 species of trees and has become a haven for wildlife and birds.
History: The state began purchasing the land that would one day become Cedarville State Forest during the 1930's. It wasn't until Franklin Roosevelt's CCC efforts to develop this land did the beginnings of the park see fruition. The 1950's saw a new activity on these lands - the production of charcoal. Up to 3,600 pounds of charcoal was produced each week. This charcoal was then in turn used to heat many other state parks' buildings throughout Maryland. One of these charcoal kilns is still standing and may be seen on the Heritage Trail.
Directions
From Annapolis
Follow Route 50 West to Route 301 South. From Route 301 South travel to Cedarville Road (at the very end of Prince George's County). At traffic light, take a left on Cedarville Road. As a landmark there will be a large white warehouse located on the left hand side. Take Cedarville Road to Bee Oak Road (on you right) which will be the main entrance to the forest.
From Prince George's County
Travel Route 301/5 South and take a left on Cedarville Road. Follow directions above from Cedarville Road.
From Waldorf (Charles County)
Follow Route 5/301 north into Prince George's County. As soon as you cross into Prince George's County turn right onto Cedarville Road. Follow Cedarville Road to Bee Oak Road (on your right) which is the main entrance for the forest.
From Washington, D.C.
Follow either Branch Avenue (Route 5) or Pennsylvania Avenue (Route 4). If using Route 5, follow Route 5 for directions from Prince George's County above. If using Pennsylvania Avenue (Route 4), follow Route 301 south from Prince George's County. At the end of Prince George's County and before you enter Charles County, turn left onto Cedarville Road. Follow Cedarville Road to Bee Oak Road (on your right) which is the entrance to the forest.
Map to Trailhead
Trail Information
Trail Length:
Holly Trail (orange) - 5 miles
Heritage Trail (blue trail) - 3.5 miles
Plantation Trail (brown trail) - 2.5 miles
Swamp Trail (green trail) - 2 miles
Trail Type: Singletrack and doubletrack
Trail Level: Easy
Number of Trails: 4
Website: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclan...edarville.html
Fees:
$3/vehicle; $4/vehicle out-of-state residents
$10 per small bus
$20 per school/charter bus
Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Night Riding: Not available
References
Trail Map:
GPS Track:
Videos
Photos
Pictures and videos from:
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