Located at the headwaters of Maryland’s largest freshwater swamp, the Zekiah, Cedarville State Forest invites exploration and adventure of its diverse natural, recreation and historic features. Hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians can enjoy over 19 miles of trails. Over 50 species of trees thrive in an actively managed 3,510-acre forest, demonstrating an array of beneficial and experimental forestry practices. Cedarville State Forest uniquely showcases the full array of natural resource protection and management techniques utilized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Fishery scientists, wildlife biologists, foresters and park rangers work together to preserve, protect and manage all of the natural resources in Cedarville State Forest.

Historical records show that the Piscataway Tribe made this region of Southern Maryland their winter camping and hunting ground because of the mild climate and abundance of game. In 1930, the State purchased the land in an effort to create a forest demonstration area. Under the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the renowned Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) developed Cedarville’s roads and trails for fire protection and future recreation development. From 1933 to 1935, approximately 160 men of the CCC, mostly African Americans from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., worked at Cedarville. In the 1950's, Cedarville State Forest operated three charcoal kilns, burning wood from the forest to produce up to 3,600 pounds of charcoal each week. The charcoal was used in many other state parks throughout Maryland to produce heat. One kiln, located at the Blue and White Trailhead, remains as a demonstration of the historic method of producing wood charcoal.